Some of the key figures involved in the promotion of manifest destiny include:
* John L. O'Sullivan: A journalist who is credited with coining the term "manifest destiny" in an 1845 issue of the New York Morning News. O'Sullivan argued that the United States had a divine right to expand its territory and spread its institutions across the continent.
* James K. Polk: The 11th president of the United States, who served from 1845 to 1849. Polk was a strong supporter of manifest destiny, and his presidency saw the United States acquire vast new territories, including Texas, New Mexico, and California.
* Stephen A. Douglas: A prominent Democratic senator from Illinois who was a leading proponent of manifest destiny. Douglas played a key role in the passage of the Compromise of 1850, which helped to resolve tensions over the expansion of slavery into the new territories.
* William H. Seward: A Republican senator from New York who served as Secretary of State under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. Seward was a strong advocate of manifest destiny, and he helped to negotiate the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867.
These are just a few of the many figures who played a role in promoting manifest destiny and shaping the course of American history in the 19th century.