Manifest Destiny was a widely held belief in mid-19th century America that the nation was destined to expand its borders from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Ocean The term Manifest Destiny was first used by John L. O'Sullivan, editor of the United States Magazine and Democratic Review, in 1845. He wrote "It is our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us."
The concept of Manifest Destiny was a major part of American thinking during the 19th century and was a powerful motivator in the acquisition of large amounts of new land. It was believed that the American people were relentlessly driven by God to settle and inhabit the vast land to the west.
The following are five examples of Manifest Destiny.
1. Louisiana Purchase: The first major example of Manifest Destiny was the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. This transaction added a huge amount of land to the United States, stretching from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. It more than doubled the size of the United States and provided a gateway for American settlement into the Great Plains and beyond.
2. War with Mexico: The U.S.-Mexican War was fought from 1846 to 1848 and was fought over the control of Texas. The war concluded with the U.S. gaining control of the Mexican territories of California, New Mexico, and Texas. This gave the United States control of much of the western territories and pushed Manifest Destiny forward as it expanded its borders to the Pacific Ocean.
3. Oregon Trail: The Oregon Trail was a 2,170-mile long trail that stretched from Missouri all the way to the Oregon Territory in the Pacific Northwest. It was blazed by settlers during the 1840s and 1850s who were seeking new opportunities in the West. The Oregon Trail helped to spread Manifest Destiny to the Pacific Northwest, as thousands of settlers and prospectors began to explore the region.
4. The Homestead Act: The Homestead Act of 1862 was signed by President Abraham Lincoln and provided settlers with 160 acres of free land in the West. This act helped to move thousands of families and individuals to the West and helped to expand the United States to its present day boundaries.
5. The Transcontinental Railroad: The Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869 and connected the coasts of the United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It helped to open up the western lands for settlement and made it easier for people to travel to the West and settle in these areas. The completion of the railroad was seen as a major achievement and propelled Manifest Destiny closer to its goals.
These five examples of Manifest Destiny demonstrate the power of the idea to influence American history and to shape the borders of the United States. Manifest Destiny was a powerful motivator for growth and expansion in the 19th century and helped to shape the United States into the country we know today.