What event did the Mexican War relate to in terms of U.S. expansion?

The Mexican War is closely tied to the concept of Manifest Destiny, which was the widespread belief in the 19th century that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was both justified and inevitable. This ideology promoted the idea that Americans were destined by God to spread democracy and capitalism across the entire North American continent. The Mexican War, occurring from 1846 to 1848, was a direct manifestation of this belief, as the United States sought to acquire vast territories, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and parts of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.

The war was partly fueled by the desire of the U.S. to expand its territory to the Pacific Ocean and to fulfill the vision of a nation that spanned from coast to coast. This expansionist ambition was reflected in the policies and rhetoric of the time, making the Mexican War a crucial episode in the narrative of Manifest Destiny. Thus, the correct association of the Mexican War with Manifest Destiny underscores the historical context of American expansionism and its roots in the national psyche during that era.