Which ideology justified USA expansionism in the 19th century?

The ideology that justified USA expansionism in the 19th century is known as Manifest Destiny. This concept was rooted in the belief that it was the divine right and destiny of the United States to expand its territory across North America. Proponents of Manifest Destiny believed that expansion was not only beneficial for the nation but also a moral obligation, as they viewed the U.S. as a beacon of democracy and civilization.

Manifest Destiny fueled policies that led to significant territorial acquisitions, such as the Louisiana Purchase, the annexation of Texas, and the acquisition of lands following the Mexican-American War. It played a critical role in shaping American identity and foreign policy during the period, encouraging settlers to migrate westward and settle in new territories with the belief that they were bringing progress and enlightenment to what they considered less developed areas.

In contrast, other ideologies like isolationism focused on keeping the U.S. out of foreign conflicts and minimizing international involvement, which contradicts the nature of expansionism. Colonialism typically refers to the practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, often exploiting it economically, which doesn’t align precisely with the American expansion narrative during this era. Democratic centralism is a concept associated with communist governance and does not relate to the context of