Manifest Destiny vs. US Imperialism

Attribute	Manifest Destiny	US Imperialism
Belief in American expansion	Strong belief in the expansion of the United States across North America	Belief in the expansion of US influence and control beyond North America
Justification for expansion	Viewed as a divine mission to spread democracy and civilization	Justified as a way to acquire resources, markets, and strategic military bases
Time period	Primarily in the 19th century	Late 19th and early 20th centuries
Focus on territory	Focus on acquiring land in North America	Focus on acquiring territories overseas, such as in the Caribbean and Pacific
Impact on indigenous peoples	Resulted in displacement and mistreatment of Native American tribes	Resulted in colonization and exploitation of indigenous populations in acquired territories

Introduction

Manifest Destiny and US Imperialism are two concepts that have played significant roles in shaping American history and foreign policy. While both ideologies involve the expansion of American influence, they differ in their motivations, methods, and consequences. In this article, we will explore the attributes of Manifest Destiny and US Imperialism and compare how they have impacted the United States and the world.

Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny was a belief popular in the 19th century that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent. This ideology was driven by a sense of American exceptionalism and the belief in the superiority of American institutions. Proponents of Manifest Destiny saw the expansion of the United States as a way to spread democracy, Christianity, and civilization to the frontier.

Manifest Destiny led to the annexation of Texas, the Mexican-American War, and the acquisition of territories such as California, Oregon, and New Mexico. The ideology justified the displacement and mistreatment of Native American tribes as well as the exploitation of natural resources. Manifest Destiny was a driving force behind westward expansion and the idea of a continental nation stretching from coast to coast.

US Imperialism

US Imperialism, on the other hand, refers to the expansion of American influence beyond the North American continent to other regions of the world. Unlike Manifest Destiny, which focused on territorial expansion within the continent, US Imperialism sought to establish political and economic dominance in foreign territories. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the United States engage in imperialistic activities in the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Pacific.

US Imperialism was driven by a desire for economic growth, strategic military positioning, and the spread of American values and culture. The Spanish-American War of 1898 marked a turning point in US Imperialism, as the United States acquired territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The ideology of US Imperialism justified interventions in other countries and the establishment of military bases to protect American interests abroad.

Comparison

While Manifest Destiny and US Imperialism share some similarities in terms of expansion and influence, they differ in their scope and methods. Manifest Destiny focused on the expansion of the United States within the continent through settlement and annexation, while US Imperialism involved the projection of American power beyond its borders through military intervention and economic control.

• Manifest Destiny was driven by a sense of American exceptionalism and the belief in spreading democracy and civilization, while US Imperialism was motivated by economic interests and strategic military positioning.
• Manifest Destiny led to the acquisition of territories through negotiation, purchase, and war, while US Imperialism often involved the overthrow of foreign governments and the establishment of puppet regimes.
• Manifest Destiny resulted in the displacement and mistreatment of Native American tribes, while US Imperialism led to the exploitation and subjugation of indigenous peoples in foreign territories.

Impact

The legacies of Manifest Destiny and US Imperialism continue to shape American society and foreign policy to this day. Manifest Destiny laid the foundation for westward expansion and the idea of a continental nation, while US Imperialism established the United States as a global superpower with interests and influence around the world.

The consequences of Manifest Destiny can be seen in the treatment of Native Americans, the environmental impact of westward expansion, and the ongoing debates over land rights and sovereignty. US Imperialism has left a legacy of interventionism, military bases, and economic dominance in regions such as Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Manifest Destiny and US Imperialism are two ideologies that have shaped American history and foreign policy in significant ways. While both involve the expansion of American influence, they differ in their motivations, methods, and consequences. Understanding the attributes of Manifest Destiny and US Imperialism is essential for comprehending the complexities of American expansionism and its impact on the world.