Kaelyn Thimons

Mr. Widenhofer
Honors U.S. History
May 23, 2018

Manifest Destiny Short Answer Question

a) Manifest Destiny is the thought that drove the 19th century Americans. This philosophy

says that the United States, inspired by God, was destined to expand its territory and

promote and spread democracy.

b) In 1842, President James K. Polk negotiated with Great Britain for the Oregon Territory

and ran on the slogan “54˚ 40’ or fight!”, which refers to the northern Oregon boundary

line. Polk’s ideals helped in the process of westward expansion of the United States.

c) Though westward expansion and the idea of Manifest Destiny benefitted the United

States in the long run, but it resulted in the relocation and brutal mistreatment of Native

Americans. Westward expansion not only mistreated the Native American people, but

began to dissolve their tribes over time and left very little Native American culture

existing today in the 21st century. Their population size per tribe significantly decreased

and even dissolved some tribes in the process over time because of the government’s

need to immediately expand.