SAQ Manifest Destiny

1. Answer a, b, and c.
a) Define Manifest Destiny.
1. Manifest Destiny is the 19th-century belief that the expansion of the
United States throughout the continent was both justified and inevitable.
b) Give at least ONE piece of evidence of how the idea of Manifest Destiny served to
guide the practice of the American government.
1. President James K. Polk and COIL
a. Manifest Destiny throughout President Polk’s Presidency was
used as a guide because it showed the American Government that
expansion was not a bad thing. Expansion could lead to more jobs,
more land for businesses, and it could lead to Americans having
better opportunities. Manifest Destiny in Polk’s Presidency was a
guide because it showed that he was not scared to make a big
change in the history of his country if it would give his people
better opportunities. By President Polk acquiring California and
Oregon he was able to show the American Government that
expansion is not a bad thing, it could lead to many great things for
the American people.
c) Evaluate the impact of Manifest Destiny on ONE of the following, making sure to
provide at least ONE piece of evidence to support your description:
The American economy
The impact of Manifest Destiny was huge on the U.S economy. When the
U.S wanted to take California from Mexico President Polk instructed the envoy to
give Mexico $25 million for California. After the Mexican-American war the U.S
paid only $15 million for California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. All
of this land was half of Mexican territory. Paying Mexico $15 million might have
caused a dent in the economy but to gain all this land caused more opportunities for
new jobs and for more money to come back to the U.S government.
American foreign policy
The American Indians