What was Manifest Destiny?

Question

At the time of the U.S.-Mexican War, many Americans believed in an idea called Manifest Destiny.

Manifest Destiny was the belief that God wanted Americans to spread out across the North American continent. Many people who believed in Manifest Destiny strongly supported adding more territory to the United States.

Although many Americans supported the ideas of Manifest Destiny, other Americans opposed these ideas.

Question Sort the following viewpoints by whether they were more likely held by a supporter of Manifest Destiny or an opponent of Manifest Destiny.

1- Supporter of Manifest Destiny

2- Opponent of Manifest Destiny

The United States should not go to war just to gain more land (1 or 2)
The United States should buy all Oregon from Great Britain (1 or 2)
Slavery is wrong. I think people who want to add more land to the U.S. just want spread slavery. (1 or 2)
The Republic of Texas should join the United States as a new state. (1 or 2)
The United States should take California and New Mexico from Mexico (1 or 2)

Answer 1

Here’s how you could sort the viewpoints based on whether they are more likely held by a supporter or an opponent of Manifest Destiny:

1. Supporter of Manifest Destiny:

   • The United States should buy all Oregon from Great Britain (1)
   • The Republic of Texas should join the United States as a new state (1)
   • The United States should take California and New Mexico from Mexico (1)

2. Opponent of Manifest Destiny:

   • The United States should not go to war just to gain more land (2)
   • Slavery is wrong. I think people who want to add more land to the U.S. just want to spread slavery. (2)