key term - Manifest Destiny

Definition

Manifest Destiny is the 19th-century doctrine that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was both justified and inevitable. This belief drove the nation’s territorial growth and influenced policies related to westward expansion, often disregarding the rights and cultures of indigenous peoples and other nations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Manifest Destiny played a central role in American politics and culture, influencing national policies and public opinion during the 19th century.
2. The term was first coined by journalist John L. O'Sullivan in 1845, emphasizing the belief that it was America's divine right to expand its territory.
3. The concept fueled conflicts with Native Americans and other nations, leading to events such as the Indian Removal Act and the Mexican-American War.
4. Manifest Destiny justified the annexation of Texas, which was seen as a necessary step for fulfilling the nation's expansionist goals.
5. The ideology also contributed to tensions over slavery in new territories, as debates arose about whether these lands should be free or slave states.

Review Questions

• How did Manifest Destiny influence U.S. foreign policy and relations with Native American tribes during westward expansion?
  • Manifest Destiny significantly shaped U.S. foreign policy by justifying territorial acquisition at the expense of Native American tribes. As Americans moved westward, this ideology led to policies like the Indian Removal Act, which forcibly relocated tribes to make way for settlers. The belief that expansion was divinely ordained allowed for a dismissive attitude toward Native American rights and led to violent conflicts over land.
• Discuss the impact of Manifest Destiny on the Mexican-American War and its aftermath regarding territorial gains.
  • Manifest Destiny was a driving force behind the Mexican-American War, as many Americans believed it was their destiny to expand into Mexican territory. The war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which resulted in significant territorial gains for the U.S., including California and New Mexico. This expansion intensified debates over slavery, as new states were created from these territories, raising questions about whether they would be free or slave states.
• Evaluate how Manifest Destiny contributed to social and political tensions within the United States leading up to the Civil War.
  • Manifest Destiny exacerbated existing social and political tensions within the United States as it heightened disputes over slavery in newly acquired territories. The push for expansion fueled conflicts between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, especially regarding whether states carved from territories such as Texas and California would allow slavery. This debate contributed to a national divide that ultimately culminated in the Civil War, reflecting how expansionist ideologies had profound implications for American society.

Related terms

Louisiana Purchase:

A significant land acquisition made in 1803, where the U.S. bought a vast territory from France, effectively doubling the size of the nation and setting the stage for further westward expansion.

Indian Removal Act:

A law passed in 1830 that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern U.S. to designated Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:

The 1848 treaty that ended the Mexican-American War, resulting in the U.S. acquiring territories such as California and New Mexico, significantly contributing to Manifest Destiny.