Manifest Destiny was an idea that dominated thinking in the 1840s that America was destined and ordained by God to occupy the entire North American continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. This motivated the expansion of the United States to acquire more land and seek gold. Missionaries like Marcus and Narcissa Whitman helped spread American settlers to the Oregon territory as part of this Manifest Destiny.

1. Manifest Destiny
Chapter 12

2. What is Manifest Destiny?
• idea
• dominated thinking in 1840s
• America was meant to occupy all
continent
– "from sea to shining sea"
– ordained by God
• Motivation:
– land
– gold

3. Missionaries in Oregon
• Marcus and Narcissa Whitman