How did manifest destiny affect the growth of the nation?

Manifest Destiny significantly influenced the growth of the United States by promoting the belief that Americans were destined to expand across the continent. This ideology justified westward expansion, leading to the acquisition of vast territories, including Texas, Oregon, and California, often at the expense of Native American lands and through conflicts such as the Mexican-American War. As a result, it shaped the nation's borders and fueled economic growth, as new lands provided resources and opportunities for settlement. However, it also intensified debates over slavery and contributed to regional tensions that eventually led to the Civil War.