What was "Manifest Destiny"?

Manifest Destiny was the 19th-century belief that the expansion of the United States across the North American continent was both justified and inevitable. This ideology was rooted in a sense of American exceptionalism, which held that the U.S. was destined to spread democracy and capitalism across the continent. Proponents viewed expansion as a divine right and mission, instrumental in promoting both individual liberties and economic opportunities.

The notion of Manifest Destiny spurred significant territorial acquisitions, including the annexation of Texas, the Oregon Trail settlement, and the acquisition of California following the Mexican-American War. It played a crucial role in shaping U.S. policies and attitudes during the mid-1800s as many saw it as a natural progression of the United States' growth and influence.

The other choices do not align with the historical context of Manifest Destiny. While foreign military intervention and resource management were significant topics during the period, they do not encapsulate the essence of the belief in continental expansion. Likewise, the abolition movement focused on ending slavery, which, although contemporaneous with the concept of Manifest Destiny, represents a different set of social and political goals rooted in humanitarian concerns rather than territorial expansion.