Manifest Destiny

Meaning

1. 1proper nounproper

   The idea, popular in the United States in the 1800s, that the nation was meant by fate or God to spread across North America.

   Grammar: Always capitalized; used with no article: Manifest Destiny drove westward expansion.

   Patterns

   • the doctrine of Manifest Destiny
   • belief in Manifest Destiny

   Many historians link Manifest Destiny to the push west across the continent.

   Supporters of Manifest Destiny believed that expansion was both natural and right.

   The class discussed how Manifest Destiny affected Native American nations.

Common combinations

doctrine of Manifest Destiny

The doctrine of Manifest Destiny shaped American politics.

believe in Manifest Destiny

Many settlers believed in Manifest Destiny.

era of Manifest Destiny

The era of Manifest Destiny saw rapid westward growth.

idea of Manifest Destiny

The idea of Manifest Destiny justified land seizures in the eyes of its supporters.

Manifest Destiny and expansion

Textbooks link Manifest Destiny and expansion.

Synonyms and how they differ

expansionism

Expansionism is the general policy of growing a nation's territory, while Manifest Destiny is the specific American belief that justified it.

westward expansion

Westward expansion is the actual movement of settlers, not the idea behind it.

imperialism

Imperialism is a broader and more critical term about extending power over other peoples.

Opposites

Word family

manifest adjective

clear and obvious

destiny noun

events fixed in advance by fate

manifestly adverb

in an obvious way

destined adjective

fated to happen

Commonly confused: Manifest Destiny or manifesto?

Practice

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