The United States justified the expansion of its boundaries to pursue material wealth with the idea of “manifest destiny”.
Through manifest destiny it was believed that it was the will of God for the nation to be destined for expansion and greatness, and spreading democratic and capitalist ideals. During the nineteenth century the United States acquired western territories such as Oregon, Texas, Louisiana, California, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. This expansion of territory led to the decimation of Native Americans and their culture, extinction of buffalo, and the loss of many native plants and animals.
