What term describes the belief that American expansion across the continent was justified and inevitable?

• A. Manifest Destiny
• B. Monroe Doctrine
• C. Open Door Policy
• D. Isolationism

Answer: (A)

Manifest Destiny is the belief that the United States was destined to expand across North America, and that this expansion was both justified and inevitable. This idea framed westward growth as a righteous mission—spreading liberty, democracy, and civilization—and supported the idea that expanding borders was a natural fate of the nation. It helped justify moving west, acquiring new territory, and the various conflicts and policies that came with that expansion, such as the Mexican-American War and the annexation of lands like Texas and Oregon. By contrast, the Monroe Doctrine speaks to opposing European colonization in the Americas, the Open Door Policy concerns China, and isolationism favors staying out of foreign affairs. So the term that best captures the belief described is Manifest Destiny.