Expansionists used the term "Manifest Destiny" to justify the belief that it was the destiny of the United States to expand its territory across the North American continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. This expansion was seen as a natural and inevitable process driven by divine providence, or God's plan, and the superiority of American institutions and values. Manifest Destiny played a significant role in the United States' westward expansion during the 19th century, including the acquisition of territories such as Texas, the Oregon Country, and the Mexican Cession.