Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyManifest Destiny and Westward Expansion

"Resolved, That our title to the whole of the Territory of Oregon is clear and unquestionable; that no portion of the same ought to be ceded to England or any other power, and that the re-occupation of Oregon and the re-annexation of Texas at the earliest practicable period are great American measures, which this Convention recommends to the cordial support of the Democracy of the Union."

— Democratic Party Platform, 1844

Based on the excerpt, the sentiments expressed are most directly associated with which of the following mid-nineteenth-century goals?

  1. The expansion of United States territory to the Pacific Ocean under the ideology of Manifest DestinyAnswer
  2. B
    The establishment of a mutual defense alliance with Latin American nations under the Monroe Doctrine
  3. C
    The application of containment strategies to prevent the spread of hostile European political systems
  4. D
    The promotion of mercantilist trade systems that favored British commerce over American markets

Answer

The expansion of United States territory to the Pacific Ocean under the ideology of Manifest Destiny
The correct answer is correct because the Democratic Party Platform of 1844 explicitly called for the acquisition of Oregon and Texas. This expansionist agenda was driven by the ideology of Manifest Destiny, which asserted that the United States had a divine right and duty to spread its civilization and political institutions westward across the North American continent.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus document for key historical context and demands.
The excerpt is from the Democratic Party Platform of 1844 and references asserting claims to Oregon and annexing Texas.
Identifying the target territories and the date helps place the document in the era of westward expansion.
2
Identify the primary political and ideological justification for territorial expansion during this era.
The concept of Manifest Destiny was the dominant belief that the United States was destined to expand its democratic institutions across the continent.
This links the specific policy proposals in the text (Texas and Oregon) to the broader cultural and political movement of the 1840s.
3
Evaluate the answer choices to find the one that matches this historical connection.
The option focusing on Manifest Destiny and territorial expansion to the Pacific is the only accurate representation of the platform's goals.
This confirms the correct option while eliminating choices that refer to different time periods or economic systems.

Key Concept

Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion
Estimated Time:45s
Rate this question

Topics

Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion

More questions from this topic