Manifest Destiny
Westward
Expansion
Manifest Destiny
The Belief that motivated and justified America’s
western expansion to the Pacific Ocean in the 1800’s
“To claim the land 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”
Literal Meaning = Obvious Fate
1. The belief that it was the God-given destiny of America to possess the entire
continent from Atlantic to Pacific
2. The belief in the absolute virtue of America and that our traditions and
institutions were enlightened, exceptional and without equal
3. The belief that Americans were called by God to spread and impose these
exceptional American traditions and institutions on primitive (inferior) peoples.
(Indians and Mexicans)
4. The belief that it was our “duty” to model civility and to impose American
customs and manners on these “inferior people” who were in need of cultivation.
Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way
American Progress
Westward Expansion:
Guided and Protected by the God and His Angels
Safe Passage
Awesome and Inspiring
Rugged
Romantic
Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion 1776-1853
•Label the different territories that
became part of America.
•Be sure to indicatelthe previous owner
of the territory and the year that it was
added to the United States
Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion 1776-1853
LA Purchase
From France
1803
CA and SW Territory
Mexican War Cession
1848
Gadsen Purchase
from Mexico 1853
•Label the different territories that
became part of America.
•Be sure to indicate the previous owner
of the territory and the year that it was
added to the United States
Post Rev
War Cession
From G.B.
1783
13
Original
States
1776
Texas Annexation
From Mexico
1845
Florida
Cession
From Spain
1819