How did Manifest Destiny affect U.S. policies during the 1800s?

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I'm late getting in here, but, Victoria, pay special attention to the year 1846, President James K. Polk, and the Mexican-American War.

Manifest Destiny was a widely held belief during the 1800s that the United States was destined to expand its territory across the North American continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. This belief had a significant impact on U.S. policies during that time period.

To understand the impact, we can look at specific policies that were influenced by Manifest Destiny:

1. Westward Expansion: One of the main effects of Manifest Destiny was the push for westward expansion. The United States acquired vast territories like the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the annexation of Texas in 1845, the Oregon Territory through a treaty with Britain in 1846, and the Mexican Cession after the Mexican-American War in 1848. These acquisitions were driven by the belief that the U.S. should control the entire continent.

2. Native American Removal: As the U.S. expanded westward, the government implemented policies aimed at removing Native American tribes from their ancestral lands. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced Native Americans to relocate west of the Mississippi River, leading to the tragic Trail of Tears and other forced migrations.

3. Slavery and Territorial Expansion: Manifest Destiny intensified debates over the expansion of slavery. The acquisition of new territories resulted in debates about whether they should be admitted to the Union as free or slave states. These debates ultimately led to the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which further intensified tensions between the North and South, ultimately leading to the American Civil War.

4. Foreign Policy: Manifest Destiny also influenced U.S. foreign policy during this period. The U.S. asserted its dominance in the Western Hemisphere with the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, which declared that European powers should not interfere in the affairs of the newly independent countries in the Americas. This policy continued the expansionist mindset by asserting U.S. influence and control over the region.

In summary, Manifest Destiny had a profound impact on U.S. policies during the 1800s. It drove westward expansion, led to the displacement of Native American tribes, intensified the debate over the expansion of slavery, and shaped U.S. foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere.