America A Narrative History

Among the vocal opponents of the Mexican-American War was: Thomas O. Larkin. John Tyler. John Slidell. Abraham Lincoln. John L. O'Sullivan.

Abraham Lincoln.

The idea of "manifest destiny" claimed that: American expansion westward across the continent was sanctioned by God. the immediate war against the British would revitalize the American state. joint British and American occupation of North America would "civilize" the continent. slavery was the result of divine intervention. men were destined to travel the high seas.

American expansion westward across the continent was sanctioned by God.

What was a significant influence on Texas commander in chief Sam Houston? He was the only college-educated rebel. He was the first Texas-born leader of the territory. He served under General Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812. He had been a pacifist before moving to Texas. He was half Mexican.

He served under General Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812

All of the following resulted from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, EXCEPT that: the United States gained California. Mexico recognized the Rio Grande as the border of Texas. the United States paid Mexico $15 million. the United States gained New Mexico. U.S. troops continued to occupy Mexico.

U.S. troops continued to occupy Mexico.

President Tyler infuriated Henry Clay by vetoing his bill in support of: a new national bank. higher tariffs. Texas annexation. Indian removal. pensions for veterans.

a new national bank

As president, Polk supported all of the following, EXCEPT: internal improvements. restoration of the independent Treasury. acquisition of California. tariff reduction. settlement of the Oregon boundary question.

internal improvements.

Congress voted to annex the Republic of Texas via a(n): treaty of annexation. House of Representatives resolution. executive order. joint resolution of Congress. voice vote in the Senate.

joint resolution of Congress.

At the Battle of the Alamo: the Mexicans won a costly victory. Santa Anna showed his strategic brilliance. William B. Travis and Jim Bowie were taken prisoner. Texans secured their independence. the defenders were bombarded into surrender.

the Mexicans won a costly victory.

The Mexican-American War contributed to all of the following, EXCEPT: the creation of the Department of the Interior. the end of a prolonged depression. the United States becoming a transcontinental nation. the strengthening of the Union. a dramatic expansion of the federal government.

the strengthening of the Union

Most of those who traveled westward in wagon trains: were headed for California's goldfields. traveled in groups. turned back due to the hardships. made it from Missouri to California in a month. were attacked by Indians.

traveled in groups.

William Henry Harrison: developed a close association with Henry Clay during his presidency. was the first president to be assassinated. was the last president elected from the Jacksonian Democratic party. was elected more on his military record than for taking a stand on the issues. led the fight to annex Texas.

was elected more on his military record than for taking a stand on the issues

California's Bear Flag Republic: sent an expedition to capture Santa Fe. was established when American settlers captured Sonoma in northern California. was controlled by Mexicans and Indians. represented a California version of manifest destiny. was quickly recognized by the British.

was established when American settlers captured Sonoma in northern California.

What was a main reason the Mexican government attempted to curtail American settlement of Texas? a preference for Indian settlement of the land worry about the behavior and intentions of the Americans living there the Spanish forcing them to exclude the Americans racism against Americans the British claim to the territory

worry about the behavior and intentions of the Americans living there

What effect did Mexico's winning its independence from Spain have on American settlement in the Southwest? Patterns of American settlement of the former Spanish, now Mexican, territories remained unchanged. Americans began to flee the former Spanish territories once Mexico gained independence. American settlers were immediately and forcibly removed from all Mexican territories. American settlement and expansion into the former Spanish territories increased after Mexico gained independence. The establishment of the new Mexican state made settlement in its territories more difficult.

American settlement and expansion into the former Spanish territories increased after Mexico gained independence.

Why was John Charles Frémont so influential in encouraging the mass migration of Americans to Oregon and California? His reports of his western explorations gained wide circulation and became very popular. He rescued the Donner party. He had led the largest wagon train along the Oregon Trail. He established the first sizable American settlement in California. He was already a famous mountain man.

His reports of his western explorations gained wide circulation and became very popular.

In the election of 1844: Polk won a popular vote landslide. both Clay and Polk enthusiastically supported Texas annexation. Liberty party votes in New York cost Clay the White House. Jackson supported his old rival, Henry Clay. Polk's greater experience in national office gave him a huge advantage over Clay.

Liberty party votes in New York cost Clay the White House.

The decisive victory in the war came with Winfield Scott's capture of: Veracruz. Puebla. Mexico City. Cerro Gordo. Monterrey.

Mexico City

All of the following are true about Winfield Scott's assault on Veracruz, EXCEPT that: Scott led an assault against what was considered to be the strongest fortress in North America. Mexico surrendered as a result of Scott's victory. it was carried out without a loss. Scott's assault was the largest amphibious operation ever attempted by U.S. military forces. the victory made General Scott a national hero.

Mexico surrendered as a result of Scott's victory.

How did the Mexican-American War ultimately deepen sectional divisions in the United States? Slavery was prohibited in all the territories acquired. Slaves who fought in the war began rebelling for their freedom in the South. The newly acquired territories fueled a violent debate over the extension of slavery into them. Southern states refused to recognize the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. All the territories acquired were immediately opened to slavery.

The newly acquired territories fueled a violent debate over the extension of slavery into them.

All of the following statements about Stephen F. Austin are true, EXCEPT that he: adamantly opposed slavery. convinced the Mexican government to permit an Anglo "buffer" colony on the northern frontier between the Comanche Indians and the Mexican settlements. became the leading proponent of American settlement in coastal Texas. actively urged Texans to revolt against Mexico. had a legitimate land grant from Mexico.

adamantly opposed slavery.

Polk's nickname of "Young Hickory" most reflected his: common origins in North Carolina. toughness in dealing with his enemies. association with Jackson and support for Jacksonian policies. relative youth for a presidential candidate. enthusiastic support for territorial expansion.

association with Jackson and support for Jacksonian policies.

The major factor that delayed Texas annexation until 1845 was: the desire of Texans to remain a republic. Britain's support for Texas independence. fear of a possible Mexican attack on the United States. concern over Texas entering as a slave state. Calhoun's incompetence as secretary of state.

concern over Texas entering as a slave state

The major factor that delayed Texas annexation until 1845 was: the desire of Texans to remain a republic. fear of a possible Mexican attack on the United States. Calhoun's incompetence as secretary of state. concern over Texas entering as a slave state. Britain's support for Texas independence.

concern over Texas entering as a slave state.

John Tyler broke with the Democrats and joined with the Whigs because he: believed all property owners should have the vote. morally opposed slavery. supported Clay's program of economic nationalism. disagreed with Andrew Jackson's position on nullification. worshipped the Founding Fathers.

disagreed with Andrew Jackson's position on nullification

The purpose of the Convention of 1818 signed by Britain and the United States was to: condemn Napoléon's designs on New World expansion. establish a "joint occupation" of the Oregon Country. cede California to the Americans. settle remaining differences and claims from the War of 1812. outlaw the slave trade.

establish a "joint occupation" of the Oregon Country.

Most of the American settlers in Texas went there because of: fertile, inexpensive lands. legal problems in the United States. gold and other mineral deposits. trading opportunities with the Indians and the Mexicans. furs.

fertile, inexpensive lands.

The Americans known as "mountain men" who blazed western trails were: fur trappers. mountain climbers. horse traders. army scouts. missionaries.

fur trappers.

The Anglo-Texans rebelled against the Mexican government: in opposition to taxation without representation. at the request of Spain, which was trying to regain control of Mexico. out of fear that the Mexican government intended to free their slaves. to preempt Mexican plans to attack U.S. territories east of Texas. to honor their alliance with the Comanche Indians.

out of fear that the Mexican government intended to free their slaves.

The Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 did all of the following, EXCEPT: place the Oregon territory under sole U.S. control. provide for joint naval patrols off of Africa. provide for U.S.-British cooperation to police the outlawed slave trade. result in good relations with Great Britain. settle a long-standing dispute over the northeastern boundary with Canada.

place the Oregon territory under sole U.S. control

Polk's order that Zachary Taylor move his troops to the disputed territory north of the Rio Grande: provoked a Mexican attack. persuaded Mexico to sell California. expressed his belief in manifest destiny. protected American settlers along the border. won him political support in the North.

provoked a Mexican attack.