Which statement about Manifest Destiny is true?

• A. It is the belief in expansion across multiple continents.
• B. It is the belief in expansion across the continent.
• C. It is the belief in staying within existing borders.
• D. It is the belief in limiting territorial growth.

Answer: (B)

Manifest Destiny is the idea that the United States was meant to expand westward across the North American continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This belief drove people to settle new western lands, spurred events like the annexation of Texas, the push for Oregon, and the Mexican-American War, which brought vast western territories into the U.S. The statement that describes expansion across the continent captures this mindset, because it focuses on moving beyond existing borders within North America. It’s not about expanding to other continents, nor about staying within current borders or limiting growth, which is why the continental expansion idea is the correct one.