How did manifest destiny help shape the U.S. government and policies of land acquisition?

Answer 1

Manifest Destiny was a 19th-century doctrine that promoted the belief that the United States was destined to expand across North America. This ideology significantly influenced U.S. government policies, leading to aggressive land acquisition strategies, such as the Louisiana Purchase, the annexation of Texas, and the Oregon Trail migration. It justified the displacement of Native American tribes and the war with Mexico, ultimately shaping the nation’s borders and fueling debates over slavery and states' rights. The belief in Manifest Destiny fostered a sense of American exceptionalism, which continues to impact U.S. foreign and domestic policies.