What is manifest destiny? Why did people believe in it?
Manifest destiny was a 19th-century belief held by many Americans that it was their God-given right and duty to expand and settle across the entire continent of North America. This belief emerged during a time when the United States was rapidly growing and expanding westward.
There were several reasons why people believed in manifest destiny. Firstly, there was a strong sense of American exceptionalism, which was the belief in the unique virtues and destiny of the American people. Many believed that the United States had a special mission to spread its democratic values and institutions to the rest of the continent.
Additionally, economic motives played a significant role in people's belief in manifest destiny. Westward expansion meant access to new resources, such as land, minerals, and fertile soil for agriculture. It also offered opportunities for trade, commerce, and economic growth.
Furthermore, there was a widespread belief in the racial and cultural superiority of white Americans. This belief, known as "Anglo-Saxonism," fueled the idea that it was the destiny of the white American population to spread its civilization and culture across the continent, often at the expense of Native American populations.
Lastly, the concept of manifest destiny was fueled by a combination of nationalism and territorial competition. The United States was vying for territorial expansion against other European powers, such as Britain and Spain, and the idea of manifest destiny served as a justification for acquiring new territories.
Overall, the belief in manifest destiny provided a moral, economic, and cultural justification for the expansionist goals of the United States and played a significant role in shaping American history by driving westward migration and territorial acquisition.