What was the belief behind Manifest Destiny?

Manifest Destiny was a significant ideology in the 19th century that articulated the belief that the United States was destined to expand its territory across the entire North American continent. This idea was rooted in the notion of American exceptionalism, which posited that the U.S. had a preordained role in spreading democracy and civilization. Proponents believed that it was both justified and inevitable for America to extend its borders, bringing its political systems and cultural values to what they viewed as "less civilized" regions.

The rationale behind this belief included a mix of nationalism and a paternalistic view of other peoples and territories, justifying the expansionist policies especially towards Native American lands and territories controlled by Mexico. This expansion was often supported by a strong current of Manifest Destiny thinking which asserted that the United States was not just allowed but destined to spread from coast to coast.

While economic superiority and factors like cultural exchange and religious freedom were indeed part of the broader American experience at that time, they were not the primary driving force behind Manifest Destiny. The central tenet was the belief that the U.S. should extend its political and social systems, representing the idea of controlling all of North America as a divine right or mission.