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.

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