AskSia

Plus

refer to following excerpt: “We must onward to the fulfilment of our mission ...

Nov 16, 2023

refer to following excerpt: “We must onward to the fulfilment of our mission — to the entire development of the principle of our organization — freedom of conscience, freedom of person, freedom of trade and business pursuits, universality of freedom and equality. This is our high destiny, and in nature's eternal, inevitable decree of cause and effect we must accomplish it. All this will be our future history, to establish on earth the moral dignity and salvation of man — the immutable truth and beneficence of God. …Who, then, can doubt that our country is destined to be the great nation of futurity?” —John L. O’Sullivan, Manifest Destiny, 1839 What consequences did Manifest Destiny have in the mid-19th century? Question 1 Questions 1–2 refer to following excerpt: “We must onward to the fulfilment of our mission — to the entire development of the principle of our organization — freedom of conscience, freedom of person, freedom of trade and business pursuits, universality of freedom and equality. This is our high destiny, and in nature's eternal, inevitable decree of cause and effect we must accomplish it. All this will be our future history, to establish on earth the moral dignity and salvation of man — the immutable truth and beneficence of God. …Who, then, can doubt that our country is destined to be the great nation of futurity?” —John L. O’Sullivan, Manifest Destiny, 1839 What consequences did Manifest Destiny have in the mid-19th century? A It brought democracy to the entire world. B It led to the passage of the Bill of Rights. C It led to conflict with Mexico. D It led to religious conflict between Protestants and Catholics.

Key Concept

KC-5.2.II.A: Manifest Destiny and the territorial expansion of the United States had significant political, social, and economic consequences, including the Mexican-American War and the annexation of new territories.

Explanation

The concept of Manifest Destiny, as expressed by John L. O’Sullivan, was a widely held belief in the 19th century that American settlers were destined to expand across the continent. This ideology had several consequences, including the expansion of U.S. territory, particularly through the annexation of Texas and the acquisition of territories following the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). It did not bring democracy to the entire world (A), nor did it lead to the passage of the Bill of Rights (B), which was already in place well before this period. While there were religious conflicts during the 19th century, Manifest Destiny itself was not a direct cause of religious conflict between Protestants and Catholics (D).

What impact did Manifest Destiny have on the debate about slavery? A None — Manifest Destiny did not address the rights of slaves. B Manifest Destiny urged slave owners to liberate their slaves and convert them to Christianity. C Manifest Destiny urged slaves to return to Africa because they were not citizens. D Manifest Destiny reignited concern about the status of slavery in western territories.

Key Concept

KC-5.2.II.B The idea of Manifest Destiny, which suggested that the United States was destined to expand across the continent, was used by some to justify the westward expansion of slavery and was a significant factor in the debate over the annexation of new territories.

Explanation

Manifest Destiny was the belief that the expansion of the US throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable. As the United States acquired more land, particularly in the West, the question of whether slavery would be permitted in these new territories became a heated issue in American politics. The concept of Manifest Destiny played a significant role in this debate because it was tied to the expansion of territory where the status of slavery was uncertain. This reignited sectional tensions between the North and South over the spread of slavery, which was a critical factor leading up to the Civil War.