USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Contents. Manifest Destiny, a phrase coined in 1845, is the idea that the United States is destined-by God, its advocates believed-to expand its dominion and spread democracy and capitalism across the entire North American continent.

Detailed explanation-2: -The philosophy describing the necessary expansion of the nation westward was called Manifest Destiny; the belief that it was our duty to settle the continent, conquer and prosper.

Detailed explanation-3: -The term Manifest Destiny was first used in 1845 by John L. O’Sullivan, editor of the United States Magazine, and Democratic Review, in an essay on why the United States was justified in annexing Texas. He was protesting European, specifically French and British, intervention in the United States’ affairs.

Detailed explanation-4: -At the heart of manifest destiny was the pervasive belief in American cultural and racial superiority. Native Americans had long been perceived as inferior, and efforts to “civilize” them had been widespread since the days of John Smith and Miles Standish.

Detailed explanation-5: -First used in 1845, the term Manifest Destiny conveyed the idea that the rightful destiny of the US included imperialistic expansion. This idea certainly contributed to several wars. For example, in 1846 the United States declared war on Mexico and proceeded to win much of what is now the Southwestern United States.