American expansion

Manifest Destiny's result

American expansion refers to the territorial growth of the United States, from the original thirteen colonies to its current boundaries and overseas possessions.

The term encompasses westward expansion through the Louisiana Purchase, the Mexican-American War, and the displacement of indigenous peoples, as well as later acquisitions like Alaska, Hawaii, and Pacific territories.

Manifest destiny justified American expansion as divinely ordained.

Related

frontier spirit · Trail of Tears · Homestead Act · railroad expansion · Lewis and Clark Expedition · Industrial Revolution · Erie Canal · California Gold Rush · land grab

Opposites
territorial/geographic scope

American expansionsecession

Formal withdrawal from union

foreign policy orientation

American expansionisolationism

Policy avoiding foreign alliances

non-interventionism · neutrality · strategic retreat · retrenchment · disengagement

imperial/power dynamics

American expansionanti-imperialism

Opposition to foreign domination

liberation movements · indigenous sovereignty

Family

America, American, Americans, Americanism, Americanize, Americanization, expand, expands, expanded

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Mostly American · Timeless · Abstract · Rated PG