Describe the Process of Territorial Gain. Texan Annexation: The Oregon Territory: The Mexican American War: Positive Consequences and Impacts Negative Consequences and Impacts

The "Manifest Destiny," which held that the United States was predestined by Providence to expand and colonize, served as the basis for the American expansion policies. The United States had already exceeded its initial borders by 1820. It gained significant territories along the Pacific Coast and in the Southwest in the 1840s. An intricate web of political, social, and economic variables fueled American expansionist sentiment. Many stretches of arable land and the international ports along the Pacific Coast were lucrative economic possibilities. Many fantasized about colonizing unexplored territory and believed that the United States should spread quickly across the globe before other countries could do the same. Hence, the idea of "Manifest Destiny" was supported by many Americans. These desires for growth propelled American settlers to Texas and Oregon, whose conquest became the main goal of American foreign policy by 1845.