Manifest Destiny

Definition

Manifest Destiny is the 19th-century doctrine that the expansion of the United States across the American continent was both justified and inevitable. This belief was rooted in a sense of American exceptionalism and a perceived divine right to spread democracy and capitalism, deeply impacting Native American communities and shaping U.S. policy and actions towards them.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The term 'Manifest Destiny' was first coined by journalist John L. O'Sullivan in 1845 to promote the annexation of Texas.
2. This ideology fueled the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), as many believed it was America's destiny to acquire California and New Mexico.
3. The belief in Manifest Destiny led to significant territorial acquisitions, including Oregon, Texas, and California, reshaping the map of the United States.
4. It justified policies that resulted in the displacement and suffering of Native American populations, as their lands were viewed as obstacles to American expansion.
5. Manifest Destiny played a crucial role in shaping U.S. domestic policies, including the establishment of reservations and forced assimilation strategies aimed at Native Americans.

Review Questions

• How did Manifest Destiny influence U.S. policies toward Native American tribes during westward expansion?
  • Manifest Destiny led to aggressive U.S. policies that prioritized territorial expansion over the rights and well-being of Native American tribes. The belief that it was America's divine right to expand resulted in numerous legislative acts, such as the Indian Removal Act, which forcibly relocated tribes from their ancestral lands. This expansionist mindset justified actions like the Trail of Tears, where thousands of Native Americans were displaced, suffering great hardship as a consequence.
• Evaluate how Manifest Destiny contributed to conflicts between the U.S. government and Native American tribes throughout the 19th century.
  • Manifest Destiny fueled numerous conflicts, as it promoted a mindset where Native American lands were deemed available for settlement and development. As settlers moved westward, tensions rose over land ownership and resources, leading to violent confrontations known as the Plains Indian Wars. The U.S. government's aggressive expansionist policies, rooted in Manifest Destiny, often disregarded treaties made with tribes, escalating conflicts that resulted in significant loss of life and land for Native Americans.
• Analyze how Manifest Destiny shaped not only territorial growth but also societal attitudes towards Native Americans in 19th-century America.
  • Manifest Destiny profoundly influenced societal attitudes by framing Native Americans as obstacles to progress and civilization. This perspective fostered widespread justification for their removal and mistreatment, reinforcing stereotypes that depicted Indigenous peoples as 'savages' who hindered American development. As settlers embraced Manifest Destiny, they often viewed themselves as bearers of enlightenment, leading to policies of forced assimilation that aimed to eradicate Indigenous cultures, further entrenching discrimination and marginalization against Native Americans throughout this period.

Related terms

American Exceptionalism: The belief that the United States is inherently different from other nations, often used to justify expansionist policies and a sense of mission in spreading democracy.

Indian Removal Act: A law enacted in 1830 that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to designated 'Indian Territory' west of the Mississippi River.

Homestead Act: Legislation passed in 1862 that encouraged westward expansion by providing settlers with land grants of 160 acres in exchange for a small fee and the requirement to improve the land.