Manifest destiny was a belief that was held by many Americans in the 19th century. It was the belief that it was the destiny of the United States to expand its territory and influence across North America. This belief was often used to justify the expansion of the United States and the conquest of new lands, as well as the displacement and exploitation of indigenous peoples.
One example of manifest destiny in American history is the Louisiana Purchase. In 1803, the United States purchased the vast territory of Louisiana from France, which included present-day Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and parts of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Louisiana. This purchase doubled the size of the United States and opened up a vast new territory for American expansion and settlement.
Another example of manifest destiny is the Mexican-American War, which took place from 1846 to 1848. During this war, the United States defeated Mexico and annexed a large portion of its territory, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma. This expansion was justified by the belief in manifest destiny, as many Americans believed it was their destiny to spread American values and institutions across the continent.
A third example of manifest destiny is the Indian Wars, which were a series of conflicts between the United States government and Native American tribes. These wars were often fueled by the belief in manifest destiny, as the United States sought to expand its territory and resources and often did so at the expense of indigenous peoples. The Indian Wars resulted in the forced removal and relocation of many Native American tribes, as well as the exploitation and abuse of their lands and resources.
In conclusion, manifest destiny played a significant role in American history and was used to justify the expansion and conquest of new lands, as well as the displacement and exploitation of indigenous peoples. While manifest destiny may have had some positive effects, such as the expansion of the United States and the spread of American values and institutions, it also had many negative consequences for those who were affected by it.
