Did the US achieve Manifest Destiny? Why or why not?

During the early 1800s, Americans developed a political and religious idea called "Manifest Destiny." Manifest Destiny consisted of two major ideas: that the Christian God gave Americans a unique form of democracy and that the United States was supposed to spread democracy to new territories. Though it cannot be proved that Providence, the Christian God, was aiding the efforts of the United States, the country did achieve Manifest Destiny.

Many events in the 1800s show that the United States was successful in achieving Manifest Destiny. The first evidence of success was in Texas. When Texas gained independence from Mexico, it was annexed by the United States. This allowed the United States to spread their democracy to a new land and new people, following Manifest Destiny. The United States also gained the formerly Mexican land to the Pacific Ocean from the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo after the Mexican War. In this way, America was able to expand its territory while spreading democracy, achieving Manifest Destiny. The United States added more territory to its expanses through conflicts over the Oregon Territory and through the Gadsen Purchase of 1854. These areas had previously been controlled by foreign people, and by gaining the territories, the United States could expose the people there to democracy, as encouraged by Manifest Destiny. Multiple conflicts and agreements allowed the United States to expand and spread democracy, attaining Manifest Destiny.

The United States was able to achieve Manifest Destiny during the 19th century. Providence cannot be proved as the reason for this achievement, but the country met the basics of the belief. Americans were able to expand their territory while cultivating democracy in new lands. Because Americans were able to achieve Manifest Destiny, our country became the grand nation it is today.