What belief was behind Manifest Destiny?

Question

(1 point)
Responses

Native Americans would benefit from the introduction of the settlers’ American way of life.

Settlers would benefit from the exchange of ideas from Native Americans in the West.

Settlers and Native Americans should co-exist peacefully but separately and come into contact as little as possible.

Native Americans and settlers could share the western land and work together to live in this difficult area.

Answer 1

The belief behind Manifest Destiny was that it was the United States' divine right and destiny to expand its territory across the North American continent. Therefore, the response that aligns most closely with this idea is:

Native Americans would benefit from the introduction of the settlers’ American way of life.

This reflects the belief held by many settlers during that time that their civilization and way of life would be superior and beneficial to those they encountered, including Native Americans, which underpinned much of the justification for westward expansion.