Manifest Destiny

Definition

Manifest Destiny is the 19th-century belief that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was both justified and inevitable. This ideology was rooted in a sense of American exceptionalism, where settlers believed they were destined to spread democracy and capitalism across North America, often disregarding the rights of indigenous peoples and other nations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Manifest Destiny was a driving force behind the westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century, influencing policies and attitudes toward Native Americans and other nations.
2. The concept was used to justify various military actions and territorial acquisitions, including the annexation of Texas and the Mexican-American War.
3. Proponents of Manifest Destiny believed it was America's divine right to expand its territory, which they argued would spread democracy and improve the lives of those in newly acquired lands.
4. The ideology often led to conflicts with Native American tribes, as settlers encroached on their lands, resulting in forced removals and violent confrontations.
5. Critics of Manifest Destiny argued that it was a guise for imperialism and colonialism, highlighting the moral implications of displacing indigenous peoples for the sake of expansion.

Review Questions

• How did Manifest Destiny influence U.S. foreign policy and territorial expansion during the 19th century?
  • Manifest Destiny significantly shaped U.S. foreign policy by fostering an aggressive stance toward territorial expansion. It justified actions such as the annexation of Texas and the pursuit of land through conflict with Mexico during the Mexican-American War. This belief fueled a sense of entitlement among Americans, leading to military interventions and negotiations that expanded U.S. territory, which had lasting implications on relations with neighboring countries.
• Evaluate the impact of Manifest Destiny on indigenous populations and their lands in North America.
  • The impact of Manifest Destiny on indigenous populations was devastating, as it led to widespread displacement and violence. As settlers moved westward, many Native American tribes were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands through treaties that were often not honored. The belief in Manifest Destiny enabled this disregard for indigenous rights, leading to significant cultural and social disruptions for Native communities as they faced loss of land, resources, and autonomy.
• Analyze how Manifest Destiny contributed to sectional tensions within the United States leading up to the Civil War.
  • Manifest Destiny exacerbated sectional tensions within the United States by intensifying debates over slavery in newly acquired territories. As Americans pushed westward under this belief, questions arose regarding whether these territories would allow slavery or be free states. This struggle intensified regional divisions between the North and South, ultimately contributing to political conflict and the outbreak of the Civil War as differing ideologies about expansion, race, and rights clashed in a rapidly changing nation.

Related terms

American Exceptionalism: The belief that the United States is inherently different from other nations, often linked to a sense of mission to spread democracy and freedom.

Oregon Trail: A historic route that facilitated the westward migration of settlers seeking new opportunities in the western territories of the United States.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: The treaty that ended the Mexican-American War in 1848, resulting in significant territorial gains for the United States, including California and New Mexico.