Where did "Manifest Destiny" Come From?

Manifest destiny was the belief that the US had a divine right to expand westward, first coined by John L. O'Sullivan in 1845. It justified the annexation of Texas and opposed European intervention. While Democrats embraced it, Whigs rejected it. The concept led to the Mexican-American War, resulting in significant territorial gains. However, this expansion displaced Native Americans and fueled slavery disputes, contributing to the Civil War. By the late 19th century, with no new land to conquer in North America, Americans turned their attention globally.

Who first coined the term 'Manifest Destiny' and in what context?

• Andrew Jackson, during his presidency

• James K. Polk, in a speech to Congress

• John L. O'Sullivan, in an essay about annexing Texas

• Thomas Jefferson, in the Declaration of Independence

Which political party largely rejected the idea of Manifest Destiny?

• Federalists

• Whigs

• Republicans

• Democrats

What major conflict was influenced by the concept of Manifest Destiny?

• The Mexican-American War

• The War of 1812

• The Civil War

• The Spanish-American War

What was one of the significant outcomes of the Mexican-American War?

• The U.S. abolished slavery

• The U.S. lost Texas to Mexico

• The U.S. acquired over 500,000 square miles of land

• The U.S. gained territory in present-day Canada

How did Manifest Destiny contribute to the outbreak of the Civil War?

• It resulted in the secession of Southern states

• It sparked disputes over the status of slavery in new territories

• It caused economic depression

• It led to the abolition of slavery