Can someone explain, in layman's term's, what.....?

Question

is meant by Manifest Destiny?

Answer 1

The expansion of the Americas

Answer 2

Manifest Destiny is a phrase that expressed the belief that the United States had a mission to expand, spreading its form of democracy and freedom. Advocates of Manifest Destiny believed that expansion was not only good, but that it was obvious ("manifest") and inevitable ("destiny"). Originally a political catch phrase of the 19th century, "Manifest Destiny" eventually became a standard historical term, often used as a synonym for the territorial expansion of the United States across North America towards the Pacific Ocean.

Manifest Destiny was always a general notion rather than a specific policy. The term combined a belief in expansionism with other popular ideas of the era, including American exceptionalism, Romantic nationalism, and a belief in the natural superiority of what was then called the "Anglo-Saxon race" (referring to white Americans and Britons). While many writers focus primarily upon American expansionism when discussing Manifest Destiny, others see in the term a broader expression of a belief in America's "mission" in the world, which has meant different things to different people over the years. This variety of possible meanings was summed up by Ernest Lee Tuveson, who wrote: "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."[1]

The phrase "Manifest Destiny" was first used primarily by Jackson Democrats in the 1840s to promote the annexation of much of what is now the Western United States (the Oregon Territory, the Texas Annexation, and the Mexican Cession). The term was revived in the 1890s, this time with Republican supporters, as a theoretical justification for U.S. expansion outside of North America. The term fell out of usage by U.S. policy makers early in the 20th century, but some commentators believe that aspects of Manifest Destiny, particularly the belief in an American "mission" to promote and defend democracy throughout the world, continued to have an influence on American political ideology.[2]

Note that this article is not a history of the territorial expansion of the United States, nor is it the story of the westward migration of settlers to the American frontier. Manifest Destiny was an explanation or justification for that expansion and westward movement, or, in some interpretations, an ideology or doctrine which helped to promote the process. This article is a history of Manifest Destiny as an idea, and the influence of that idea upon American expansion.

Answer 3

Manifest Destiny is a phrase that expressed the belief that the United States had a mission to expand, spreading its form of democracy and freedom. Advocates of Manifest Destiny believed that expansion was not only good, but that it was obvious ("manifest") and inevitable ("destiny"). Originally a political catch phrase of the 19th century, "Manifest Destiny" eventually became a standard historical term, often used as a synonym for the territorial expansion of the United States across North America towards the Pacific Ocean.

Answer 4

Manifest Destiny is a term used to justify the US's version of forced democracy and expansion. Basically, another term for imperialism.

Answer 5

Manifest Destiny is a generalized set of ideas in the USA which leads people to believe that God has given the USA a divine mission to conquer. It started out in the early to mid 19th century as people bleieving that God wanted white people to expand west, kill all the savage indians, and occupy the land with Christians of European descent.
Then in the late 19th century it started to mean that the USA had a right to mess around with other peoples countries, too, like Nicaragua. Since then it has been used by people in the USA as an excuse every time they want to invade a country or depose a leader; they say "God wants us to spread democracy around the world", or "we are acting out of the divine will".
Basically it's just using God as an excuse to wreak mayhem and chaos so that rich American white people can benefit.

Answer 6

The 19th century notion that the U.S. had the right and indeed had the duty to expand influence, particuilary throughout North America. Used as justification for the Spanish-American War, 1898.