🗺️Manifest Destiny was a belief that the United States was destined to stretch its territory from coast to coast, guided by divine providence.
🌉The concept of Manifest Destiny originated in the early European expansion in the Americas and was later adopted by expansionist Democrats in the United States.
🏛️James Polk, the 11th President of the United States, campaigned on a platform of expansionism, demanding the annexation of Texas and the inclusion of the entire Oregon Territory.
🤝The Mexican-American War and the treaty ending it in 1848 led to the acquisition of a significant amount of territory, including California and parts of New Mexico and Arizona.
🌍By the end of the 19th century, the United States had extended its territory westward to the Pacific Ocean, northwest of the 49th parallel, and south to the Rio Grande.