In this chapter, Tripathi explores the evolution of the idea of American exceptionalism. It traces its roots back to the early seventeenth century when the first European emigres crossing the Atlantic declared their belief that they had a divine purpose in coming to North America, their promised land, where freedom and liberty would rule. The chapter further examines the supposition of Manifest Destiny, or obvious certainty, which drove immigrants to expand their colonies within the continent and beyond after the 1776 Declaration of Independence from Great Britain and creation of the United States. The motive was to improve their lives. Westward expansion, including wars against Indigenous Americans as well as Britain, France, and Spain, is examined. The chapter goes on to examine the concept of American identity.