How did "Manifest Destiny" evolve into American imperialism?

The transition from "Manifest Destiny" to American imperialism is rooted in the expansionist mindset that characterized much of 19th-century American beliefs. "Manifest Destiny" originally referred to the idea that the United States was divinely ordained to expand across the North American continent, promoting the belief that this expansion was not only justified but also inevitable. As the nation fulfilled its territorial ambitions on the continent, including the acquisition of vast regions such as Texas and Oregon, this ideology began to evolve.

By the end of the 19th century, the focus of Manifest Destiny expanded beyond continental borders, embracing overseas territories. The rationale for this transition included economic interests, the desire for strategic military locations, and a belief in the superiority of American culture that justified spreading its influence beyond North America. Events such as the Spanish-American War marked this shift as the U.S. sought to assert control over territories in the Pacific and Caribbean, such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

This change indicated a broader interpretation of what it meant to pursue national destiny, one that included not just land acquisition but also the extension of U.S. economic and political systems overseas, thus firmly linking Manifest Destiny with the ideology of American imperialism.