Manifest Destiny was the idea in the 19th century that the destiny of the United States was to spread from the east coast to the Pacific Ocean. However, even though we look at the idea today and realize that people such as the Native American Indians and the country of Mexico might have suffered under Manifest Destiny, it was very popular at the time.
Your assignment is to write two paragraphs that answer these questions:
- How did people at the time justify Manifest Destiny?
- Be sure to cite at least 3 specific reasons that supported Manifest Destiny, and brief quotations to support your ideas
- Were their reasons legitimate? Why or why not?
