Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
manifest destiny
noun
ˈmænɪˌfɛst ˈdɛstɪni
Definition
The belief that the expansion of the United States throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable.
Examples
- The concept of manifest destiny was used to justify the westward expansion of the United States in the 1800s.
- Many Americans believed that it was their destiny to spread democracy and capitalism across the continent.
- The idea of manifest destiny played a significant role in the annexation of Texas and the subsequent war with Mexico.
Meaning
Manifest destiny was a widely held belief in the 19th century that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was preordained by God and a natural right of the nation.
Synonyms
- expansionism
- American exceptionalism
- nationalism
