Manifest Destiny

Definition

Manifest Destiny was the 19th-century belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. This ideology justified and motivated the country's territorial expansion, often at the expense of Native American populations and through conflict with neighboring nations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Manifest Destiny was a driving force behind the United States' territorial expansion during the 19th century, leading to the acquisition of lands such as the Louisiana Purchase, Texas, and the Oregon Territory.
2. The belief in Manifest Destiny justified the displacement and mistreatment of Native American populations, as the government and settlers viewed the land as rightfully belonging to the United States.
3. The concept of Manifest Destiny was used to justify the Mexican-American War, which resulted in the United States gaining significant territory, including the present-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.
4. The Manifest Destiny ideology was closely tied to the rise of American nationalism and the belief in the superiority of American democratic values and institutions, which were seen as destined to spread across the continent.
5. The pursuit of Manifest Destiny had a significant impact on the country's foreign policy, leading to conflicts with neighboring nations, such as Mexico and the United Kingdom, over territorial disputes.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of Manifest Destiny influenced the United States' territorial expansion during the 19th century.
  • The belief in Manifest Destiny, the idea that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent, was a driving force behind the country's westward expansion during the 19th century. This ideology justified and motivated the acquisition of new lands, such as the Louisiana Purchase, Texas, and the Oregon Territory, often at the expense of Native American populations and through conflict with neighboring nations like Mexico. The pursuit of Manifest Destiny was closely tied to the rise of American nationalism and the belief in the superiority of American democratic values, which were seen as destined to spread across the continent.
• Analyze how the Manifest Destiny ideology impacted the relationship between the United States and Native American populations.
  • The Manifest Destiny ideology had a profoundly negative impact on Native American populations, as the belief that the United States had a divine right and moral obligation to expand across the continent justified the displacement and mistreatment of indigenous peoples. The government and settlers viewed the land as rightfully belonging to the United States, leading to the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands, such as through the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears. This disregard for Native American sovereignty and rights was a direct consequence of the Manifest Destiny ideology, which prioritized the expansion of American power and influence over the preservation of indigenous cultures and communities.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Manifest Destiny ideology on the United States' foreign policy and its relationships with neighboring nations.
  • The pursuit of Manifest Destiny had significant and lasting consequences on the United States' foreign policy and its relationships with neighboring nations. The belief in the country's divine right to expand across the continent led to conflicts with Mexico, such as the Mexican-American War, which resulted in the United States gaining substantial territory, including the present-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. The Manifest Destiny ideology also contributed to tensions with the United Kingdom over the Oregon Territory, as both countries claimed the land. The focus on territorial acquisition and the perceived superiority of American values and institutions shaped the United States' approach to foreign relations, often prioritizing expansion and the assertion of power over diplomacy and cooperation. The long-term consequences of this ideology can be seen in the country's continued involvement in global affairs and the ongoing challenges it faces in balancing its national interests with those of the international community.

Related terms

Westward Expansion:

The process of the United States expanding its borders and territory westward across the North American continent, driven in part by the belief in Manifest Destiny.

Manifest Destiny Ideology: The belief that the United States had a divine right and moral obligation to expand its territory and spread its democratic values and institutions across the continent.

Territorial Acquisition: The process of the United States acquiring new land and territories, often through purchase, treaty, or military conquest, as part of the Manifest Destiny ideology.