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Definition:
The concept of "Manifest Destiny" has acquired a variety of meanings over the years, and the
inherent ambiguity has been part of its power - because it can mean almost whatever someone
wants it to mean, it is readily used by anyone. In the generic political sense, however, it was
usually used to refer to the idea that the American government was "destined" to
establish uninterrupted political authority across the entire North American continent,
from one ocean to the other.
Although this seems rather straightforward, it has always suffered from deep ambiguity - which may, in part, explain how and why it has been popular. People have been able to fill the concept with whatever meaning they wanted it to have. On the political level, people have used it as a reason to extend political control over frontier lands, taking control away either from Native Americans or from European powers.
A religious component, often unstated, was also normally included with the idea of Manifest Destiny. Ever since the earliest colonial times people had assumed that it was their mission to spread the message of Christianity to this "dark" and heathen continent. The first Puritans settled in New England had a sense that they were "destined" by God to establish a religiously, morally, and politically pure nation. Many regarded this unbelieving land as an abode of Satan which needed to be subdued, both religiously and politically.
Colonists regarded themselves as the "New Israel," and North America was regarded as Canaan - a homeland promised to people by God. American history thus becomes a form of sacred history. Agents of the government routinely spread a religious message while missionaries for churches routinely spread the message of the American political and economic systems.
This attitude came to be reinforced after the Spanish-American war when Americans saw themselves as having a duty to bring Anglo-Saxon civilization, values, and religion to the "heathens". Although the actual doctrine of Manifest Destiny has passed into history, this sense of purpose has continued in the concept of American civil religion and a strong secular component of it remains as a principle of American foreign policy.
Also Known As: Westward Expansion
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Christianity?
What are the various Christian groups, denominations, sects and heresies? What are some key concepts in Christian theology? What are some of the most important events in Christian history? All of this and more are covered in the Christianity FAQ.What is the Philosophy of Religion?
Sometimes confused with theology, the Philosophy of Religion is the philosophical study of religious beliefs, religious doctrines, religious arguments and religious history. The line between theology and the philosophy of religion isn't always sharp, but the primary difference is that theology tends to be apologetical in nature, committed to the defense of particular religious positions, whereas Philosophy of Religion is committed to the investigation of religion itself, rather than the truth of any particular religion.What is Theism?
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry? Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism and deism? What the heck is henotheism?What is Religion?
A system of human beliefs, ideals and practices which is harder to define than it may at first appear. Read more about how dictionaries, scholars and others have tried to define and explain religion.
