Manifest Destiny

Definition

Manifest Destiny is the 19th-century belief that the expansion of the United States across the American continent was both justified and inevitable. This idea was deeply rooted in American nationalism and saw the U.S. as destined to spread democracy and capitalism across North America, often at the expense of Native American tribes and other nations. It influenced various political, social, and military actions during a time of significant change and conflict in the country.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Manifest Destiny was coined by journalist John L. O'Sullivan in 1845, emphasizing America's divine right to expand its territory.
2. The belief led to significant events such as the annexation of Texas in 1845, which heightened tensions with Mexico.
3. The U.S.-Mexican War (1846-1848) was partly driven by manifest destiny, resulting in vast territorial gains for the United States, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.
4. The ideology contributed to a culture of westward expansion that displaced thousands of Native Americans and justified their removal from their lands.
5. The consequences of manifest destiny also included increased sectional tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery in new territories.

Review Questions

• How did manifest destiny influence U.S. territorial expansion during the 19th century?
  • Manifest destiny played a crucial role in shaping U.S. territorial expansion by instilling a sense of purpose and inevitability regarding westward movement. The belief encouraged settlers to migrate to new lands, leading to significant acquisitions like Texas and Oregon. This mindset contributed to conflicts such as the U.S.-Mexican War, as many Americans felt it was their duty to spread democracy across the continent.
• Analyze how manifest destiny affected Native American populations during this period.
  • The doctrine of manifest destiny had devastating effects on Native American populations as it provided a justification for their displacement and removal from ancestral lands. Policies driven by this belief led to events like the Trail of Tears, where thousands were forcibly relocated. The expansionist mentality overlooked indigenous rights and humanity, leading to widespread suffering among Native communities as settlers moved westward.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of manifest destiny on American society and politics.
  • The long-term implications of manifest destiny significantly shaped American society and politics by intensifying debates over slavery and contributing to sectional divisions that would eventually lead to the Civil War. As new territories were acquired under this belief, conflicts arose about whether these lands would permit slavery, highlighting regional tensions between free and slave states. Furthermore, it fostered a national identity rooted in expansionism that persisted throughout subsequent U.S. history.

Related terms

Louisiana Purchase: A significant land acquisition made by the United States in 1803, where the U.S. purchased approximately 828,000 square miles of territory from France, effectively doubling the size of the nation.

Trail of Tears: 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, resulting in great suffering and loss of life.

Oregon Trail: A major route westward that settlers used to migrate to Oregon Territory in the 1840s and 1850s, representing the movement spurred by the belief in manifest destiny.