Final answer:
The term 'Manifest Destiny' was used in the 1840s to describe the idea that the US should possess the entire continent. Coined by John O'Sullivan in 1845, this concept fueled territorial expansion and was further advanced by the presidency of James K. Polk.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 1840s, Americans used the term 'Manifest Destiny' to describe the idea that the United States should possess the entire continent. Magazine editor John O'Sullivan coined this term in 1845 when he suggested that it was the divine duty of the US to overspread the continent. This idea fueled territorial expansion, leading to tension and complex negotiations with numerous groups like Hispanic communities in the Southwest, diverse tribes throughout the West, as well as settlers from Asia and Western Europe that were already present.
The concept of Manifest Destiny was further advanced during the presidency of James K. Polk, a fervent believer in expansion. Polk promised to deliver more lands and fulfilled his promise through means such as the annexation of Texas and instigating the Mexican-American War. By 1848, the United States encompassed much of North America, stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Learn more about Manifest Destiny