Manifest Destiny was a 19th century belief that the United States was destined to expand from coast to coast. It was used to justify the acquisition of territories in the West and South. Supporters believed it was ordained by God and would spread American ideals of liberty, democracy, and individualism. Critics argued it was used to justify the removal of Native Americans and expansion of slavery. Political parties differed in their support, with Democrats generally in favor and Whigs opposed.

2. Manifest Destiny
 U.S. destined to expand
 West & South
 Prearranged by Heaven

3. American Exceptionalism
 Spread liberty and democracy worldwide
 “Qualitatively different”
-Liberty
-Egalitarianism
-Individualism
-Populism

4. Political Uses
 Acquisition of U.S. territory
 Justify war with Mexico
 Acquire Oregon from Britain

6. Origin
 British settlement of North America
 Puritanism by Wilson & Reagan

7. Development in the 1900s
 Extending the area of freedom
 Indian Removal Act of 1830
 “Divine Destiny”

8. Criticism
 “A vast complex of ideas, policies, and actions is
comprehended under the phrase „Manifest Destiny‟.
They are not, as we should expect, all compatible,
nor do they come from any one source.”
-Ernest Lee Tuveson

9. Support
 “And that claim is by the right of our
manifest destiny to overspread and
to possess the whole of the
continent which Providence has
given us for the development of the
great experiment of liberty and
federated self-government entrusted
to us.”
-John L. O‟Sullivan

10. Democratic Party (1840-
1852)
 Strongly supported Manifest Destiny
 Encouraged westward expansion
 Supported removal of natives
 Supported slavery

11. Whig Party
 Strongly opposed Manifest Destiny
 Claimed it was for their personal agendas
 Supported Congress‟ power
 Opposed loss of national power

12. Religion of Empire
 Man-invoked divine authority (Manifest Destiny)
 Violence toward unknown “others”
 Sale/purchase of land
 Money/debt economy
 Slavery
 Temples/Churches

13. Religion of Creation
 Hospitality towards unknown “others”
 Experience “God” in wilderness
 Freedom of land
 Gift/barter economy

14. Conclusion
 Religion of Empire:
 Manifest Destiny
 Democratic Party
 Man-invoked divine authority
 Religion of Creation:
 Natives
 Opposition of slavery