The meaning of American Exceptionalism has evolved, but the era of American Exceptionalism as a providential mission is coming to an end. The meaning of American exceptionalism evolved from the two definitions of “unique” and “special” to include an established mission and was used to justify action and rally people around ideas. The United States moved from identifying as an exemplary nation for the world to emulate, to the creation of an interventionist mission of exceptionalism. Today “American exceptionalism” is a polarizing term that divides the right and the left in America. Alexis de Tocqueville visited America in 1831 and wrote of the uniqueness of American compared to other nations to differentiate what was American from what was democratic. He believed that it was America's Calvinist piety, commercial focus, and availability of free land in the West - not its democracy - that having caused Americans to neglect the pursuit of science, literature and the arts meant that other countries could operate according to democratic principles without giving up a more cultured and refined culture. In 1845, John L. O'Sullivan combined American nationalism and messianic mission in the idea of ​​manifest destiny to justify the annexation of Texas. He spoke of America as a nation in defense of humanity, of the oppressed, of all nations, of the rights of conscience. Universal freedom and equality became the justification for disenfranchising former Mexican citizens and displacing Native American tribes. Manifest Destiny was used throughout the second half of the 19th century as a justification for expansion into California, the acquisition of territory in the Caribbean, and the occupation of the Philippines. European reform movements o...... middle of paper ......t created a new beginning shaped around the principles expressed in the Declaration of Independence. The Puritan mission was to be the beacon that the world would see as a godly society: their mission to bring American exceptionalism to the entire world. As sacred duty transformed into republican government as the root of American exceptionalism, the mission to bring it to the world continued. Instead of the “dollar diplomacy” and “gunboat diplomacy” that have become the emblem of American exceptionalism, a new diplomatic doctrine of cooperation with other nations will better realize a peaceful and prosperous world and better achieve national goals . The fundamental notion of equality is the very foundation of American exceptionalism, and in the next era, America can once again become the embodiment of our founding ideals with a commitment to making equality a reality..