Manifest Destiny: GCSE History Definition

What was Manifest Destiny?

In GCSE History, Manifest Destiny is the idea that it was God's desire for white settlers to claim the whole of the USA and make it 'civilised.' This factor motivated the mass migration and settlement of the American West.

White settlers at the time were strongly religious, believing in Christianity. This conflicted with the beliefs of the Indigenous peoples, with some tribes believing in concepts such as the Wakan Tanka ('Great Spirit'). As such, many white settlers believed that it was their right to travel to the West, move Indigenous peoples off of the land and teach them Christian values.

The Impact of Manifest Destiny on the Plains

Manifest Destiny was hugely significant to the development of the American West. By the 1840s, thousands of white settlers had travelled and settled in the West. This idea contributed to a lack of respect or sympathy for the Indigenous people which influenced government policy towards Indigenous peoples.

Manifest Destiny Revision Resources to Ace Your Exams

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