Texes Social Studies Content Practice Exam

During the 1840s, the belief in Manifest Destiny was a major cause of what?

1. Conflicts between Indians and the Spanish

2. Land disputes between competing railroads

3. Conflicts between ranchers and farmers

4. Conflicts between the U.S. and neighboring countries

The correct answer is: Conflicts between the U.S. and neighboring countries

The belief in Manifest Destiny was rooted in the idea that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent, which ultimately led to a series of conflicts with neighboring countries. This ideology encouraged the belief that the U.S. had a divine right to spread its territory and influence, often at the expense of other nations and the indigenous populations. During the 1840s, the most significant manifestation of this belief was the conflict with Mexico, which culminated in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). This war was fueled by disputes over Texas, which had declared independence from Mexico, and the desire of the U.S. to acquire more land in the name of expanding its borders. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war, resulted in substantial territorial gains for the United States, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. This expansionist attitude led to tensions not only with Mexico but also with other neighboring countries, as it encouraged a perception that the U.S. was seeking to dominate the entire continent. Thus, the conflict between the U.S. and neighboring countries during this period was a direct result of the ideologies wrapped up in Manifest Destiny.