The Concept of Manifest Destiny: America's Westward Expansion in the 19th Century

🗺️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.

What is Manifest Destiny?

—Manifest Destiny was a belief held by many Americans in the 19th century that the United States was destined to expand westward across the North American continent.

Who popularized the term 'Manifest Destiny'?

—The term 'Manifest Destiny' was popularized by an editor of a Democratic Party journal in 1845 in support of the annexation of Texas.

What were the goals of James Polk's presidency?

—James Polk campaigned for the annexation of Texas and the inclusion of the entire Oregon Territory as part of the United States.

What territory did the United States acquire during the Mexican-American War?

—The United States acquired California, as well as parts of New Mexico and Arizona, as a result of the Mexican-American War.

How far did the United States extend its territory by the end of the 19th century?

—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.

00:09Manifest Destiny is the belief that the United States was destined to expand westward and southward in the 19th century.

01:38James Polk campaigned for the annexation of Texas and the inclusion of the entire Oregon Territory in the United States.

02:10The Mexican-American War led to the acquisition of California and parts of New Mexico and Arizona.

02:30By the end of the 19th century, the United States had expanded its territory westward to the Pacific Ocean and south to the Rio Grande.