Question

Answer the following question using full and complete sentences. Many events led to the Mexican-American War, and the war had several effects on the United States. Manifest Destiny stood at the center of these causes and effects. In an essay of between 3 and 5 full sentences, identify and discuss how Manifest Destiny led to war with Mexico, and how the conclusion of the war led the United States to reach its goal of Manifest Destiny.

Answer 1

Manifest Destiny, the belief that the United States was destined to expand across the entire North American continent, played a crucial role in precipitating the Mexican-American War. This ideology fueled American desires to annex territories such as Texas, which had won independence from Mexico, further exacerbating tensions between the two nations. Following the war, the United States achieved significant territorial gains through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, acquiring present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. These acquisitions not only fulfilled the dream of Manifest Destiny but also reshaped the nation's geography and influenced its future development, confirming the belief in America’s divine right to expand its borders.