Why did supporters of manifest destiny argue that US expansionism was not imperialism?

Supporters of manifest destiny often portrayed expansion as a way to spread democracy and Christianity and improve life in the territories the United States acquired. They used this claim of helping others to distinguish expansion from imperialism, which they associated with exploiting other peoples for power or resources. The correct choice is “The United States believed expansion would benefit other countries, not exploit them.”

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.