Chap 6 Manifest Destiny & American Expansion

Why did the Mexican-American War of 1846 occur?

Because Mexico never recognized Texas' independence, and disputed its borders even after its annexation into the U.S.

Why did the Democrats nominate James Polk instead of Martin Van Buren in 1844?

Because Polk was the dark horse candidate that might beat Clay.

Why was Stephen Douglas relevant to the legacy of Henry Clay in the 1850 Compromise?

Because he championed the act when Clay and other old leaders could not attend.

Why was John Tyler called 'His Accidency'?

Because he filled two federal offices after the incumbent died.

Why was Franklin Pierce selected as the Democratic nominee who eventually won the 1852 presidential election?

Because he was a northern man with southern sympathies and he was a brigadier general in the Mexican-American War.

Why was there so much popular support for expansionism?

Because it offered people a second chance with new opportunities in business and cheap land.

Why did many northerners protest against the Fugitive Slave Act?

Because it required them to help catch runaways.

Why did President Polk send troops onto the Texas/Mexico border?

Because the border was in dispute and Mexico wouldn't sell it.

Why was California statehood controversial?

Because there was no slave state to add as a pair with it to preserve the balance.

How do the views of William Walker on expansionism compare to those of John O'Sullivan?

Both of them believed in expansionism, but O'Sullivan originally came up with the concept of Manifest Destiny, while Walker used force to try and implement it.

How and why did Henry Clay impact the political career of John Tyler?

By having him thrown out of the Whig Party, because of vetoing a banking bill so that Clay would have a better chance at the next election.

How did the Wilmot Proviso attempt to resonate with Southern Democrats?

By reserving land for white yeoman farmers

Which of the following did Tyler accomplish as president?

Establishing Maine's border with the Webster-Ashburton Treaty

How did the leak of the Ostend Manifesto in 1854 impact President Pierce's policy?

He decided to give up on the annexation of Cuba or potential military action against Spain due to strong public pressure.

Why did Tyler join the Whig Party if he didn't believe in their policies?

He felt that the Democrats under Jackson were behaving improperly.

How did President Polk initially attempt to resolve the border dispute with Mexico?

How did President Polk initially attempt to resolve the border dispute with Mexico?

How did the death of his son prior to his inauguration impact Franklin Pierce's policies

It made him completely focused on the territorial and economic expansion of America.

How did the Senate react to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

It ratified the treaty, but the Wilmot Proviso never passed both houses.

How did California become a state free of slavery in 1850?

Its newly-formed government skipped the territorial stage by declaring California slave free in its constitution

which of these people would have most likely supported slavery in the new territory?

John C. Calhoun

How did Tyler's attempted annexation of Texas impact the election?

The failed Princeton PR event crushed any hopes he had of getting reelected when two important diplomats were killed.

Which of the following did the Gadsden Purchase of 1853 complete?

The lower 48

Why did Whig Party nominee Zachary Taylor resonate well with northern Americans?

They appreciated Taylor's long military service and opposition to sectionalism

What did the slogan '54°40 or Fight!' mean to the people who used it?

They'd go to war to set the border of Oregon at 54°40'.

How did Tyler's view of the annexation of Texas differ from Van Buren's position?

Tyler wanted Texas to be annexed, while Van Buren opposed it

How did the views of David Wilmot and John Calhoun on slavery differ?

Willmot supported banning all slavery, while Calhoun was for keeping slavery in the US.

Tyler's attempt to annex Texas during his presidency _____.

failed; the Senate refused to ratify his annexation treaty

Oregon Trail

is a 2,170-mile historic eastâ€"west, large-wheeled wagon route and emigrant trail that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon

Wilmost Proviso

proposed an American law to ban slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico in the Mexican War

Millard Filmore

was an American statesman who served as the 13th President of the United States from 1850 to 1853

Republic of Texas

was an independent sovereign country in North America that existed from March 2, 1836, to February 19, 1846

Which of the following defines Manifest Destiny?

The belief that America should expand across the continent.

What were the outcomes of the California Gold Rush?

- American settlers challenged Mexican and Spanish land grants and won - By the end of the Gold Rush, around 300,000 gold prospectors from the world over had overrun California - It prompted rapid urbanization in an area that had been largely used for ranching

Which of these were the causes for the Democratic Party to split ahead of the 1848 presidential election?

- Anti-slavery Democrats were less than enthused with nominee Cass' pro-slavery beliefs - Sovereignty for the Mexican cession polarized the party to split into Democratic and Free Soil parties - The party nominee endorsed popular sovereignty for the Mexican cession.

Which of the following countries has had control over Texas?

- France - Mexico - Spain

What was accomplished by President James K. Polk?

- He expanded the US landmass by a third in just three years. - He won the right to buy California, New Mexico and resolve the Texas border with the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. - He changed the banking system and lowered taxes with the Walker Tariff.

What are true statements regarding the Oregon Trail?

- It was formed after the 1818 Rush-Bagot Treaty - It caused the displacement of thousands of Native Americans - It was over 2000 miles

What are the following are reasons some Americans opposed annexing Texas?

- It would have led to war against Texas who wanted annexation - It would have expanded slavery - They did not like the idea of non-whites as American citizens

What are TRUE statements regarding John Sutter's and James Marshall's role in the California Gold Rush?

- Marshall and Sutter were literally forced off the land by the influx of gold seekers - Their discovery of gold was a major event in California's history leading to statehood - Neither knew much about mining, and some of their gold was stolen from them by their hired help

What are the following results of Mexico's loosened immigration standards in its northeastern region?

- The Mexican government imposing various new taxes and laws on the citizens - The reduction of warring Native American tribes - A large migration of American and other English-speaking settlers

What was part of the Compromise of 1850?

- The slave trade was abolished in Washington D.C. - California became a free state. - Utah and New Mexico would decide slavery by popular sovereignty.

How did John Quincy Adams's view on expansionism differ from that of most expansionists?

Adams was focused on expanding towards the entire continent, while most expansionists were focused on occupying the lands void of European settlers

James Polk

was the 11th President of the United States

Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)

was the 14th President of the United States

John Tyler

was the tenth President of the United States