Historical story

Who First Wrote About The Idea Manifest Destiny?

The term "manifest destiny" was coined by John L. O'Sullivan, who was an American journalist, politician, and editor of literary works. In the July-August 1845 edition of the Democratic Review, a magazine he founded, O'Sullivan wrote an article entitled "Annexation" about the United States's annexation of Texas, in which he first coined the term. He stated:

"Our manifest destiny is to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions."

O'Sullivan's writings on manifest destiny quickly became popular, and the idea became widespread in the United States. It became the prevailing ideology of the country, justifying its westward expansion and territorial acquisitions, including the Mexican-American War and the acquisition of the territories of California and New Mexico in 1848.