What was the primary ideology behind the policy of Manifest Destiny in the United States?

The primary ideology behind the policy of Manifest Destiny was rooted in the belief that Americans were destined to expand across North America. This concept emerged in the mid-19th century and suggested that it was not only the right but the duty of the United States to spread its values, culture, and democratic institutions across the continent. Proponents of Manifest Destiny viewed this expansion as a divine mission, which justified the annexation of territories, often at the expense of indigenous populations and other nations, such as Mexico.

Manifest Destiny was closely linked to nationalism and a sense of exceptionalism, where advocates believed that their expansion was inevitable and beneficial. This ideology fueled significant events, such as the westward migration, the Oregon Trail, and the Mexican-American War, all of which facilitated the growth of the nation geographically and economically.

The other options reflect different historical contexts and motivations that were not central to the idea of Manifest Destiny. Prioritizing trade with Europe and establishing peace with Native Americans do not encapsulate the driving belief in expansionism, while promoting abolitionism, a movement aimed at ending slavery, diverged from the core tenets of Manifest Destiny, which often overlooked the rights of marginalized groups in pursuit of territorial gain.