Texes Social Studies Content Practice Exam

The term 'Manifest Destiny' can be most accurately described as...

1. The driving ideological force behind Russian expansion into Asia during the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries

2. An Imperial Roman decree establishing that it was the destiny of Rome to conquer the whole world

3. A belief amongst religious nineteenth-century Europeans that by leading a virtuous life, God would manifest himself to true believers

4. The nineteenth-century belief in an American destiny to push the national boundary westwards to the Pacific Ocean

The correct answer is: The nineteenth-century belief in an American destiny to push the national boundary westwards to the Pacific Ocean

The correct answer highlights the concept of "Manifest Destiny," which refers to the widely held belief in the 19th century that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was both justified and inevitable. This ideology stemmed from a mix of nationalism and the idea of American exceptionalism, suggesting that it was America's divine right and duty to expand its territory westward to the Pacific Ocean. The sense of purpose behind Manifest Destiny drove policies and actions such as westward migration, the annexation of Texas, and the acquisition of territories through treaties and conflict, ultimately shaping much of American history during that era. This belief also reflected the attitudes of the time about destiny, progress, and the nation's role in promoting democracy and civilization. The historical significance of this term cannot be overstated, as it influenced debates regarding slavery, American identity, and relations with Indigenous peoples and neighboring countries.