What was an effect of the belief in manifest destiny?

The belief in manifest destiny had a significant impact on the expansionist ideology of Americans in the 19th century, particularly leading to the U.S. expansion into territories such as Texas and California. This belief was rooted in the idea that Americans were destined by Providence to expand their dominion and spread democracy and capitalism across the entire North American continent. As a result, this mindset spurred the annexation of Texas in 1845 and the subsequent pursuit of California, which was driven largely by the desire for economic opportunity and land.

The concept of manifest destiny fostered a sense of entitlement and urgency within the American public and government, leading to aggressive policies and actions like the Oregon Trail migration and the events surrounding the Mexican-American War. The expansion into these territories is a prime example of how this belief motivated territorial growth and significantly altered the geography and demographics of the United States during that era.