Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

What did John O'Sulivan mean by the term "manifest destiny" as coined in 1845?

1. It promoted the preservation of the Union

2. It referred to the belief in expansion as a divine fate of a super nation

3. It emphasized the importance of maintaining Native American lands

4. It was about industrialization in the northeast

The correct answer is: It referred to the belief in expansion as a divine fate of a super nation

The term "manifest destiny," coined by John O'Sullivan in 1845, encapsulates the belief that it was the divine right and fate of the United States to expand its territory across the North American continent. This concept suggested that Americans were destined to spread their values, institutions, and democratic ideals from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. O'Sullivan and others who endorsed this idea saw expansion not merely as a political or economic opportunity but as a moral obligation tied to the notion of American exceptionalism, where the United States was viewed as a superior nation with a unique role in world history. This principle deeply influenced American policy and attitudes during the 19th century, leading to events such as the annexation of Texas, the Oregon Trail migration, and the Mexican-American War. The belief in manifest destiny justified territorial expansion and often led to the displacement of Native American populations, further complicating its legacy. Thus, option B correctly captures the essence of O'Sullivan's idea by linking it to a belief in destiny, a divine purpose driving the expansion of the nation.