EXCEPTIONALISM IN US FOREIGN POLICY         pt2    1700w

The core element of Manifest destiny – the idea that American’s had a mission given by God to spread their values and institutions across the world – became a central aspect in the belief of missionary exceptionalism. The Mexican-American War asserted this notion and by the mid 19th century, this missionary strand had become the dominate form of American exceptionalism.

With the outbreak of the Mexican-American war, another elemental factor was added to the notion of manifest destiny which became a central aspect in the belief of missionary exceptionalism. The idea that Americans had a religious duty to uphold emerged. This religious duty validated the need for the U.S. to intervene in other state’s affairs since Americans were responsible for bringing to the people their natural rights.