Understanding Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny was a term popular in the 1840s.

It expressed the strong belief that the United States was meant to grow across North America.

People thought this growth was not only justified but also inevitable.

This idea played a big role in American foreign policy, especially as the country became more powerful in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

How Manifest Destiny Influenced Foreign Policy:

1. Growing the Country:

   • Manifest Destiny drove the U.S. to acquire new lands.
   • One major moment was the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, which doubled the size of the nation.
   • In 1867, the U.S. bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million, adding a huge piece of land—586,412 square miles.
   • Hawaii was added in 1898, marking an important step in extending U.S. influence in the Pacific.

2. Supporting Imperialism:

   • As the U.S. looked for new markets in the late 1800s, Manifest Destiny turned into a reason for imperialism.
   • A key event was the Spanish-American War in 1898, where the U.S. defeated Spain. This led to the U.S. getting Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
   • The war increased U.S. land by about 200,000 square miles and made America an important player in world affairs.

3. Open Door Policy:

   • In 1899, the U.S. introduced the Open Door Policy.
   • This policy aimed for fair trading rights for all nations in China and showed the U.S. wanting to expand its influence.
   • It helped prevent other countries from controlling trade, which was good for America.

4. Military Strength:

   • The Panama Canal, finished in 1914, helped the U.S. become more powerful and improved trade.
   • The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine stated that the U.S. could step in to help maintain stability in Latin American countries.

Statistics & Effects:

• From 1890 to 1910, U.S. production capabilities grew by 95%.
• By 1900, the U.S. became the largest economy in the world.
• By 1914, the U.S. Navy grew to over 200 ships, showing a big increase in military strength influenced by Manifest Destiny.

In summary, Manifest Destiny helped shape the idea that the U.S. should pursue a strong and expanding foreign policy. This made the country a rising global power during an important time in history.