Question

What belief was behind Manifest Destiny?

Answer 1

Manifest Destiny was a 19th-century belief in the United States that its settlers were destined to expand across North America. This ideology was rooted in a sense of American exceptionalism and the idea that it was the United States' divine right and duty to spread democracy and capitalism across the continent. Proponents believed that expansion was not only justified but morally necessary, fostering a sense of national pride and identity.

The belief was also intertwined with notions of racial superiority; many supporters viewed this expansion as a means to spread what they considered the values and civilization of the Anglo-Saxon race. As a result, Manifest Destiny contributed to the displacement of Native American populations and played a significant role in the conflicts over territory, including the Mexican-American War. Overall, Manifest Destiny reflected a mix of nationalism, a belief in progress, and a sense of entitlement to the land.