Chapter 13
John Tyler
was elected vice president in 1840
James K. Polk
was known as "Young Hickory"
John Charles Frémont
was known as "the Pathfinder"
William B. Travis
was one of the defenders at the Alamo
Sam Houston
was president of the Republic of Texas
Robert F. Stockton
was the American who captured San Diego and Los Angeles
Daniel Webster
was the secretary of state who negotiated the treaty resolving the boundary between the northeastern United States and British Canada
Abraham Lincoln
was the young congressman who argued that Polk had maneuvered the Mexicans into attacking
David Crockett was not a real person but purely a fictional character True or False
False
Henry Clay was the Democratic presidential candidate in 1844 True or False
False
John Tyler favored Henry Clay's American System True or False
False
Mexico initially banned all American settlement in Texas True or False
False
Mexico's winning of independence from Spain slowed American expansion westward True or False
False
Support for the Mexican-American War was strongest in New England True or False
False
The outbreak of the Mexican-American War was caused by the dispute over Oregon True or False
False
Zachary Taylor's decisive victory at the Battle of Buena Vista led to an immediate Mexican surrender True or False
False
All the western Indian tribes eventually felt the unrelenting pressure of white expansion and conquest True or False
True
In 1849, Congress created the Department of the Interior to supervise the distribution of land, the creation of new territories and states, and the "protection" of the Indians and their reservations True or False
True
James K. Polk won the 1844 election without a majority of the popular vote True or False
True
Members of the Donner party engaged in cannibalism when stranded on their way to California True or False
True
President Martin Van Buren ultimately failed to win the Democratic party's nomination in 1844 because of his position on Texas True or False
True
There were more than 200 different Indian tribes west of the Mississippi River in 1840 True or False
True
William Henry Harrison died one month after his inauguration as president True or False
True
In 1860 what groups accounted for three-fourths of all foreign-born Americans? a. Irish and Germans b. Irish and English c. Germans and Dutch d. Russians and Italians e. Swiss and Norwegians
a. Irish and Germans
Who argued that Catholics had a plan to send immigrants to the West to dominate that region? a. Lyman Beecher b. Frederick Douglass c. Sam Houston d. Stephen F. Austin e. Lucretia Mott
a. Lyman Beecher
The Mexican-American War erupted when: a. Mexican and U.S. troops clashed north of the Rio Grande b. American settlers started a revolt in California c. the United States recognized Texas as independent d. Mexico insulted the U.S. ambassador and ordered him to leave the country e. Polk won the 1844 election
a. Mexican and U.S. troops clashed north of the Rio Grande
In the United States, which of the following was not an argument made by opponents of the Mexican-American War? a. Mexico's army was four times the size of American forces and would therefore be unbeatable b. The war was being fought over territory that the United States had never claimed c. The president had undercut congressional authority by announcing that the war already existed d. A mere border incident was being used as an excuse to provoke a war to acquire more slave territory e. The president was precipitating the nation into a fathomless abyss of crime and calamity
a. Mexico's army was four times the size of American forces and would therefore be unbeatable
How were the Spanish missions in California different from those established in Texas? a. The Spanish faced more native opposition in Texas than in California b. The missions in California were not very long lasting or influential c. The Indians were allowed to keep their native customs and rituals d. The workers received wages for their work e. The California missions received better funding once Mexico won its independence
a. The Spanish faced more native opposition in Texas than in California
The Donner party became stranded on the Oregon Trail mainly because: a. of the succession of their own mistakes and poor decisions b. they became caught in the crossfire of the Mexican war for independence c. their party was too small to survive the journey d. a broken compass led them astray e. of annihilation by the Indians
a. of the succession of their own mistakes and poor decisions
Why did the Spanish establish missions in California? a. They were tools to turn Indians into hard-working Christians b. They were vehicles that could preserve Indian language and culture c. They were institutions where the Spanish studied Indian religions d. They were outposts to help attract Indian emigration to Spain e. They were churches that only the Spanish were allowed to use
a. They were tools to turn Indians into hard-working Christians
What military leader in the Mexican-American War became a national hero and eventually president? a. Zachary Taylor b. Winfield Scott c. James K. Polk d. John C. Frémont e. John D. Sloat
a. Zachary Taylor
President James K. Polk's objectives in Oregon included a. a division of the territory at the 49th parallel b. war with Britain to acquire the territory to 54° 40' c. a division of the territory along the Columbia River d. swapping British territory in Oregon for French territory in the Caribbean e. a peaceful, joint Anglo-American occupation of the territory.
a. a division of the territory at the 49th parallel
Polk settled the Oregon boundary dispute with the British by: a. agreeing to a border along the 49th parallel b. paying the British $10 million to give up their claim c. sending the navy to back up the U.S. claim d. agreeing to a permanent joint occupation of the Pacific Northwest e. promising not to go to war with Mexico
a. agreeing to a border along the 49th parallel
Polk's nickname of "Young Hickory" most reflected his: a. association with Jackson and support for Jacksonian policies b. toughness in dealing with his enemies c. common origins in North Carolina d. relative youth for a presidential candidate e. enthusiastic support for territorial expansion
a. association with Jackson and support for Jacksonian policies
The major factor that delayed Texas annexation until 1845 was: a. concern over Texas entering as a slave state b. fear of a possible Mexican attack on the United States c. Calhoun's incompetence as secretary of state d. the desire of Texans to remain a republic e. Britain's support for Texas independence
a. concern over Texas entering as a slave state
Compared to other immigrant women, Irish women were a. especially adept at farming b. likely to marry early c. more likely to enter the work force d. more likely to keep their daughters out of the work force e. None of these choices
a. especially adept at farming
According to the doctrine of "popular sovereignty, or "squatter sovereignty," a. residents of a territory should be allowed to decide whether or not to permit slavery b. territories should extend the right to vote to all male settlers in the Far West c. territories should have the right to expand their territory d. the United States should rule Mexico directly e. native Indian peoples had a right to hold on to the lands they were already cultivating
a. residents of a territory should be allowed to decide whether or not to permit slavery
During the 1844 campaign, Henry Clay changed his position on the annexation of Texas to one of: a. support as long as it proceeded honorably and without war b. adamant opposition to it c. indifference d. insistence that the territory be returned to Mexico e. ignoring it
a. support as long as it proceeded honorably and without war
According to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, a. the United States assumed the claims of American citizens' against the Mexican government b. Mexico agreed to cede Texas and California, but was allowed to lease New Mexico for twenty-five years c. Mexico was to pay an indemnity of $15 million for war damages d. Mexico agreed to form a democratic government and execute the leaders who had made war on the U.S e. All of these choices
a. the United States assumed the claims of American citizens' against the Mexican government
The Mexican-American War contributed to all of the following EXCEPT: a. the strengthening of the Union b. the United States' becoming a transcontinental nation c. the end of a prolonged depression d. the creation of the Department of the Interior e. a dramatic expansion of the federal government
a. the strengthening of the Union
The Mexican ban on American immigration to Texas: a. was ineffective b. halted the flood of immigrants to the area c. went into effect in 1820 d. was necessary because Americans in Texas already numbered almost half the Mexican population there e. caused the United States to break diplomatic relations with Mexico
a. was ineffective
What was the Free-Soil Party's campaign slogan? a. "Free Soil for All" b. "Free Trade, Free Labor, Free Speech, Free Men" c. "Free Men All" d. "Free To The End" e. "Free States, Free Territories"
b. "Free Trade, Free Labor, Free Speech, Free Men"
What pushed the Irish to leave their homeland in the 1840s and 1850s and come to the United States? a. Stories and letters from relatives who had made it big in the U.S. b. A potato famine which left many people starving and hopeless c. Intolerance and persecution by the British for their Catholicism d. Promises by agents from U.S. factories that good jobs awaited them in the U.S. e. The quest for greater educational opportunities for their children
b. A potato famine which left many people starving and hopeless
In the 1820s, what were "California bank-notes"? a. Gold coins b. Cattle hides c. Letters of credit d. Silver dust e. Mexican silver pesos
b. Cattle hides
Why did Mexico begin to encourage settlers from America to come to its Coahuila-Texas region? a. Mexico wanted to become a part of the United States and thought that having more U.S. settlers would facilitate this b. Few Mexicans would settle this undeveloped land because of fear of Indian attacks and lawlessness there c. New settlers would mean new tax revenues for the cash-strapped Mexican government d. Mexico wanted to establish a market for its slave trade e. All of these choices
b. Few Mexicans would settle this undeveloped land because of fear of Indian attacks and lawlessness there
During the election of 1844: a. both Clay and Polk enthusiastically supported Texas annexation b. Liberty party votes in New York cost Clay the White House c. Polk won a popular vote landslide d. Jackson supported his old rival, Henry Clay e. Polk's greater experience in national office gave him a huge advantage over Clay
b. Liberty party votes in New York cost Clay the White House
In the 1840s, which of the following groups was not likely to support territorial expansion? a. Irish immigrants b. Members of the Whig party c. Poor urban laborers d. Land speculators e. Southern slaveholders
b. Members of the Whig party
John Tyler broke with the Democrats and joined with the Whigs because he: a. morally opposed slavery b. disagreed with Andrew Jackson's position on nullification c. worshipped the Founding Fathers d. believed all property owners should have the vote e. supported Clay's program of economic nationalism
b. disagreed with Andrew Jackson's position on nullification
Which of the following was not one of the background causes of the Mexican-American War? a. Mexico had failed to pay $2 million in debts owed to U.S. citizens b. Northerners feared that the Mexican government would try to expand northward and extend the slave system c. Americans loathed Mexicans d. Texans balked at a U.S. attempt at annexation because they feared it would provoke a Mexican invasion and war on Texas soil e. Mexicans feared the United States might attempt to seize other provinces from Mexico
b. Northerners feared that the Mexican government would try to expand northward and extend the slave system
Which one of the following was not one of the results of the California gold rush? a. Its population increased dramatically b. Slaves, free blacks, Indians, Chinese, and Anglos eagerly joined together in the gold fields c. The issue of slavery in the Mexican Cession was pushed to the forefront of national politics d. The sleepy town of Yerba Buena became a city of 50,000 e. Minters from all over the world descended upon California
b. Slaves, free blacks, Indians, Chinese, and Anglos eagerly joined together in the gold fields
In the Mexican-American War, why was the United States victorious in virtually all its encounters with Mexican forces? a. Santa Anna refused to risk his troops in a direct fight b. The United States possessed superior artillery and supplies c. American generals employed the new military doctrine of "the static army" and remained in one location, forcing the Mexicans to travel hundreds of miles to encounter them d. The American army outnumbered the Mexicans at virtually every battle e. President Polk reassigned half of Winfield Scott's forces to General Taylor
b. The United States possessed superior artillery and supplies
What did the Indians whom white emigrants encountered along the overland trail commonly do? a. They attacked the emigrants b. They cooperated with the emigrants c. They forced the emigrants into slavery d. They demanded alcohol before letting the emigrants pass e. They stole from emigrant wagon trains
b. They cooperated with the emigrants
"Manifest Destiny" is the belief that the United States had a. a God-given right to exist as a nation b. a mission to spread American ideals across the continent c. a destiny to conquer the world d. an opportunity to replace greed with benevolence e. to be willing to serve as a mediator between warring countries
b. a mission to spread American ideals across the continent
The Creole incident: a. strained relations between the United States and France b. involved the British freeing American slaves after they mutinied and escaped c. involved the seizure and destruction of an American steamboat at Niagara Falls d. was solved almost single-handedly by Henry Clay e. was caused when Congress reopened the African slave trade
b. involved the British freeing American slaves after they mutinied and escaped
In Commonwealth v. Hunt, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that a. labor unions could be banned from companies because they interfered with corporate goals and policies b. labor unions were not illegal combinations or monopolies that restrained trade c. Massachusetts tax money could not be used to support an unjust war against Mexico d. segregated schools for blacks in Massachusetts did not violate the U.S. Constitution e. political refugees had no right to vote in state elections
b. labor unions were not illegal combinations or monopolies that restrained trade
The Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 did all of the following EXCEPT: a. provide for joint naval patrols off of Africa b. place the Oregon territory under sole U.S. control c. provide for U.S.-British cooperation to police the outlawed slave trade d. settle a long-standing dispute over the northeastern boundary with Canada e. result in good relations with Great Britain
b. place the Oregon territory under sole U.S. control
The Battle of the Alamo a. represented the last time that Mexico aggressively attacked the United States b. provided a rallying point for Texans in their struggles against Mexico c. was a decisive victory by Texas against the Mexican army d. forced Mexico to grant Texas its independence e. enabled Mexico to stop the attempt by Texas to become independent
b. provided a rallying point for Texans in their struggles against Mexico
In the 1820s, Mexico attempted to attract American settlers to Texas by a. promising to make Texas a Protestant state b. providing generous land grants to recruiting agents c. introducing a viable economic commodity in long horn cattle d. forcing Native Americans to leave Texas for New Mexico e. offering any settler $1,000 and 200 acres of land
b. providing generous land grants to recruiting agents
Polk's order that Zachary Taylor move his troops to the disputed territory north of the Rio Grande: a. protected American settlers along the border b. provoked a Mexican attack c. persuaded Mexico to sell California d. expressed his belief in manifest destiny e. won him political support in the North
b. provoked a Mexican attack
James Polk's top priority as president was to: a. restore American prosperity through expanded trade relations with Canada b. secure geographic expansion of the United States, especially through the acquisition of Texas, California, and New Mexico c. commit the United States to protecting Texas independence in perpetuity d. create a political consensus that saw the two major political parties merge into one e. encourage European immigration as a means to fuel American industrialization
b. secure geographic expansion of the United States, especially through the acquisition of Texas, California, and New Mexico
At the Battle of the Alamo: a. Texans secured their independence b. the Mexicans won a costly victory c. Santa Anna showed his strategic brilliance d. the defenders were bombarded into surrender e. William B. Travis and Jim Bowie were taken prisoner
b. the Mexicans won a costly victory
Most of those who traveled westward in wagon trains: a. made it from Missouri to California in a month b. traveled in groups c. were attacked by Indians d. turned back due to the hardships e. were headed for California's gold fields
b. traveled in groups
What was a main reason the Mexican government attempted to curtail American settlement of Texas? a. racism against Americans b. worry about the behavior and intentions of the Americans living there c. a preference for Indian settlement of the land d. the Spanish forcing them to exclude the Americans e. the British claim to the territory
b. worry about the behavior and intentions of the Americans living there
Among the vocal opponents of the Mexican-American War was: a. Thomas O. Larkin b. John Slidell c. Abraham Lincoln d. John Tyler e. John L. O'Sullivan
c. Abraham Lincoln
What did President James K. Polk want from Mexico in 1845 and 1846? a. A peaceful agreement similar to the Oregon compromise b. Mexican recognition of an independent Texas with a southern border at the Nueces River c. Acquisition from Mexico of California and New Mexico d. Access to the port of Matamoras e. All of these choices
c. Acquisition from Mexico of California and New Mexico
The idea of "manifest destiny" claimed that: a. joint British-American occupation of North America would "civilize" the continent b. immediate war against the British would revitalize the American state c. American expansion westward across the continent was sanctioned by God d. slavery was the result of divine intervention e. men were destined to travel the high seas
c. American expansion westward across the continent was sanctioned by God
In the 1820s and 1830s, what kind of relationship did Americans have with the people of the Far West? a. It was marred by nativist harassment of Catholic Mexicans b. There was a general lack of interest and lack of contact c. Contact was limited to traders and trappers, but that interaction was beneficial to both Americans and Mexicans d. There was regular contact with westerners who returned East with great wealth e. There was frequent contact that resulted in border clashes
c. Contact was limited to traders and trappers, but that interaction was beneficial to both Americans and Mexicans
What was the main reason most European immigrants came to the United States between 1815 and 1860? a. Religious freedom b. Reform urges c. Economic advancement d. Political freedom e. European military upheavals
c. Economic advancement
Why did John C. Calhoun believe that the federal government had no power to prohibit slavery in the Mexican Cession? a. He said that no federal rules or regulations had ever addressed the issue of slavery in American territories b. He believed that free states already had enough territory c. He believed that slaves were property, and the Constitution protected the right to property d. He said that since slavery had been legal in the territory when it was Mexican, slavery should continue to be legal now e. He argued that the resolution by Congressman David Wilmot had specifically settled the issue
c. He believed that slaves were property, and the Constitution protected the right to property
Which of these is not a true statement about the Wilmot Proviso? a. It stipulated that slavery be prohibited in any territory acquired in the war with Mexico b. It was designed to hold Polk to what many perceived as an understanding: Texas would be for slaveholders; California and New Mexico for free labor c. It was strongly supported by southern Democrats d. It exposed deep sectional divisions that Americans had been previously able to overlook e. It passed in the House but not in the Senate and never became law
c. It was strongly supported by southern Democrats
Which of the factors was not a basis for the anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States in the 1830s and 1840s? a. The perception that Catholic immigrants' took jobs away from native workers b. There were reports of Catholic conspiracies to take over the country c. Many native-born Americans' identified the Irish with radical abolitionist activity d. There were tales of torture and immorality within Catholic convents e. There was a strong anti-Catholic impulse among American Protestants since the early Puritan days
c. Many native-born Americans' identified the Irish with radical abolitionist activity
Along the overland trail, how did the duties of men and women compare? a. Women drove the wagons, and men packed and unpacked them b. Men milked the cows, and women helped in standing guard against Indian raids c. Most women packed and unpacked the wagons in addition to performing their traditional duties d. Men and women shared all duties equally e. All of these choices
c. Most women packed and unpacked the wagons in addition to performing their traditional duties
Who coined the term "manifest destiny"? a. President Martin Van Buren b. Texas leader Stephen Austin c. Newspaper editor John O'Sullivan d. Mexican leader Santa Anna e. Swiss immigrant John A. Sutter
c. Newspaper editor John O'Sullivan
What was one reason that "dark horse" James K. Polk won the presidency in 1844? a. Polk came out strongly against a protective tariff b. The Whig party appeared to be the party of immigration and alcohol c. Polk convinced many northerners that the annexation of Texas would be in their best interest d. He received an overwhelming popular vote e. His running mate was a leading temperance crusader
c. Polk convinced many northerners that the annexation of Texas would be in their best interest
Who led the Texas army that defeated Santa Anna at San Jacinto? a. Jim Bowie b. Davy Crockett c. Sam Houston d. Stephen F. Austin e. Henry Dallas
c. Sam Houston
Which statement best describes the Germans who came to the United States before 1860? a. They were largely of urban working-class background b. They were mainly Catholics drawn from the poorer classes c. They were diverse, hardworking, and clannish d. They were generally poor Jewish intellectuals e. They were largely free-thinking radicals and political refugees
c. They were diverse, hardworking, and clannish
All of the following resulted from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo EXCEPT: a. the United States gained California b. the United States paid Mexico $15 million c. U.S. troops continued to occupy Mexico d. Mexico recognized the Rio Grande as the border of Texas e. the United States gained New Mexico
c. U.S. troops continued to occupy Mexico
Most of the American settlers in Texas went there because of: a. furs b. gold and other mineral deposits c. fertile, inexpensive lands d. trading opportunities with the Indians and the Mexicans e. legal problems in the United States
c. fertile, inexpensive lands
In the Mexican-American War, the Mexican armies a. collapsed instantly in the face of a massive American offensive b. were able to hold off the American advance for nine months because they had four times as many troops as the Americans c. fought bravely and stubbornly, but unsuccessfully d. after being reinforced by French troops, were slaughtered at the Battle of Chapultepec e. offered little resistance, because most Mexican soldiers were hired mercenaries
c. fought bravely and stubbornly, but unsuccessfully
Samuel Morse revolutionized communication in the 19th century by a. making the telephone practical b. leading the consortium that developed the steam engine c. inventing the telegraph d. developing wireless communication technology e. introducing railroad mail delivery
c. inventing the telegraph
Congress voted to annex the Republic of Texas via a(n): a. treaty of annexation b. House of Representatives resolution c. joint resolution of Congress d. voice vote in the Senate e. executive order
c. joint resolution of Congress
Why did the Anglo Texans rebel against the Mexican government? a. to preempt Mexican plans to attack U.S. territories east of Texas b. to honor their alliance with the Comanche Indians c. out of fear that the Mexican government intended to free their slaves d. at the request of Spain, which was trying to regain control of Mexico e. their opposition to taxation without representation
c. out of fear that the Mexican government intended to free their slaves
What was the purpose of the Convention of 1818, signed by Britain and the United States? a. to settle remaining differences and claims from the War of 1812 b. to cede California to the Americans c. to establish a joint occupation of the Oregon Country d. to outlaw the slave trade e. to condemn Napoléon's designs on New World expansion
c. to establish a joint occupation of the Oregon Country
From the point of view of the Whig party in 1848, why was Zachary Taylor an ideal candidate for president? a. He was a Louisiana slaveholder and would therefore appeal to the South b. He would have broad national appeal because he was a Mexican-American War hero c. He had no connection to Clay's American System, which the party was trying to abandon d. All of these choices e. None of these choices
d. All of these choices
What happened once Americans began to settle in the Mexican state of Coahuila-Texas? a. They were initially happy to live in Texas as naturalized Mexican citizens b. They brought slaves, which violated Mexico's 1829 ban on slavery and forced Mexico in 1830 to ban any further American immigration c. There were a series of rebellions and eventually a bid for Texas independence from Mexico d. All of these choices e. None of these choices
d. All of these choices
What effect did Mexico's winning its independence from Spain have on American settlement in the Southwest? a. The establishment of the new Mexican state made settlement in its territories more difficult b. Patterns of American settlement of the former Spanish, now Mexican, territories remained unchanged c. American settlers were immediately and forcibly removed from all Mexican territories d. American settlement and expansion into the former Spanish territories increased after Mexico gained independence e. Americans began to flee the former Spanish territories once Mexico gained independence
d. American settlement and expansion into the former Spanish territories increased after Mexico gained independence
Which of the following did the Whig political program in 1840 include? a. A low protective tariff b. Passage of an independent treasury act c. Annexation of Texas d. Government-financed internal improvements e. Abolition of slavery
d. Government-financed internal improvements
All of the following statements about Stephen F. Austin are true EXCEPT: a. he had a legitimate land grant from Mexico b. he convinced the Mexican government to permit an Anglo "buffer" colony on the northern frontier between the Comanche Indians and the Mexican settlements c. he became the leading proponent of American settlement in coastal Texas d. He adamantly opposed slavery e. He actively urged Texans to revolt against Mexico
d. He adamantly opposed slavery
Which of the following is not one of the accomplishments of José Antonio Navarro? a. He signed Texas' declaration of independence from Mexico b. He was a member of the Republic of Texas' Congress c. He helped write the Texas state constitution d. He was the first president of the Republic of Texas e. He allied with Stephen Austin to get Americans to settle in Texas and transform it
d. He was the first president of the Republic of Texas
Who led the American forces that helped seize California from Mexico? a. John Sutter b. John O'Sullivan c. John Slidell d. John Frémont e. John Sloat
d. John Frémont
Which leader is described as a president without a party? a. William Henry Harrison b. Sam Houston c. James K. Polk d. John Tyler e. Henry Clay
d. John Tyler
How did the Mexican-American War ultimately deepen sectional divisions in the United States? a. All the territories acquired were immediately opened to slavery b. Slavery was prohibited in all the territories acquired c. Slaves who fought in the war began rebelling for their freedom in the South d. The new territories acquired fueled a violent debate over the extension of slavery into them e. Southern states refused to recognize the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
d. The new territories acquired fueled a violent debate over the extension of slavery into them
Great Britain and the United States almost went to a war between in the 1840s because of a dispute over a. trade along the St. Lawrence Waterway b. fishing rights off the coast of Newfoundland c. which country had the rightful claim to gold in Alaska d. claims to Oregon territory e. whether Great Britain should help Mexico grow cotton
d. claims to Oregon territory
Martin Van Buren's stance against annexing Texas: a. helped his presidential aspirations b. hurt his relationship with his fellow senators c. secured his nomination as the Whig candidate for president d. cost him his party's nomination in 1844 e. caused future generations to honor his political courage
d. cost him his party's nomination in 1844
The Republic of Texas: a. at first shied away from annexation by the United States b. drafted a constitution emancipating its slaves c. was recognized by President Andrew Jackson early in his administration d. developed trade relations with Britain e. was on the verge of becoming a world power
d. developed trade relations with Britain
California's Bear Flag Republic: a. was controlled by Mexicans and Indians b. was quickly recognized by the British c. represented a California version of manifest destiny d. was established when American settlers captured Sonoma in northern California e. sent an expedition to capture Santa Fe
d. was established when American settlers captured Sonoma in northern California
Many of the Plains Indian societies encountered by Americans migrating westward: a. exhibited remarkable similarities to New England society b. knew no warfare until the coming of the white man c. were largely homogeneous and devoid of any substantive differences among them d. were horse-borne nomads e. had already become deeply rooted in Christianity
d. were horse-borne nomads
William Henry Harrison
died after one month in office
How much did the United States increase its land size by during President James K. Polk's administration? a. 10 percent b. 20 percent c. 30 percent d. 40 percent e. 50 percent
e. 50 percent
Why was John Tyler's ascendancy to the presidency a disaster for the Whig party? a. He was a former Democrat b. He was a states' rights advocate c. He vetoed a bill to create a new national bank d. He vetoed bills that would postpone reducing the tariff e. All of these choices
e. All of these choices
Which statement accurately describes travel to Oregon or California on the overland trails during the 1840s? a. The route was well mapped out and well surveyed b. By this period the route detoured around any formidable barriers c. Indian massacres wiped out a high percentage of all emigrants d. Emigrant families traveled alone in single wagons so that they would not be slowed by the needs of other families e. Emigrants cooperated closely with each other and traveled in huge wagon trains
e. Emigrants cooperated closely with each other and traveled in huge wagon trains
Which of the following is an accurate statement about San Francisco during the gold rush? a. There were approximately six times as many females as males in San Francisco b. Italians comprised the largest group of foreign-born residents of San Francisco c. Because of the need for menial labor, the city's black population was proportionally large d. Chinese immigrants took over most of the city's political positions e. Ethnic and racial tensions were high
e. Ethnic and racial tensions were high
Why was Whig leader Daniel Webster opposed to the Mexican-American War? a. He was a pacifist b. He preferred to go to war with Britain over Oregon c. He was known for his adamant support of pro-Mexican policies d. He believed Texas could be acquired without a war e. He believed that the origins of the war were "unconstitutional"
e. He believed that the origins of the war were "unconstitutional"
What was a significant influence on Texas commander in chief Sam Houston? a. He was half Mexican b. He was the first Texas-born leader of the territory c. He had been a pacifist before moving to Texas d. He was the only college-educated rebel e. He served under General Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812
e. He served under General Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812
Why was John Charles Frémont so influential in encouraging the mass migration of Americans to Oregon and California? a. He was already a famous mountain man b. He rescued the Donner party c. He had led the largest wagon train along the Oregon Trail d. He established the first sizable American settlement in California e. His reports of his western explorations gained wide circulation and became very popular
e. His reports of his western explorations gained wide circulation and became very popular
Which of the following statements about the Mexican-American War is NOT true? a. It was America's first major military war outside the U.S. b. Several prominent Americans opposed the war c. Many more Americans died of disease than died in battle d. The fighting lasted two years e. In terms of the percentage of combatants killed, it had the lowest death rate of any war in American history
e. In terms of the percentage of combatants killed, it had the lowest death rate of any war in American history
The decisive victory in the war came with Winfield Scott's capture of: a. Monterrey b. Veracruz c. Cerro Gordo d. Puebla e. Mexico City
e. Mexico City
All of the following are true about Winfield Scott's assault on Veracruz EXCEPT: a. Scott led an assault against what was considered to be the strongest fortress in North America b. Scott's assault was the largest amphibious operation ever attempted by U.S. military forces c. it was carried out without a loss d. the victory made General Scott a national hero e. Mexico surrendered as a result of Scott's victory
e. Mexico surrendered as a result of Scott's victory
As president, William Henry Harrison: a. merely followed the orders of Henry Clay b. tried to slow American migration to the West c. was able to fulfill most of the Whig economic platform d. brought a completely different background to office than Andrew Jackson e. died after only a month in office
e. died after only a month in office
The Americans known as "mountain men," who blazed western trails, were: a. army scouts b. missionaries c. mountain climbers d. horse traders e. fur trappers
e. fur trappers
Which of the following was one of the reasons why some antislavery northerners believed there was a southern conspiracy to extend slavery into the Southwest? a. Texas was being settled by German, pro-slavery immigrants b. Abolitionists had uncovered a plot by southerners to invade Mexico and reinstitute slavery c. Slaveholder Andrew Jackson had accepted southern participation in the Battle of the Alamo d. There was southern talk of creating an independent nation out of the Texas Territory e. President Tyler, a states' rights Democrat from Virginia, maneuvered to arrange the annexation of Texas
e. President Tyler, a states' rights Democrat from Virginia, maneuvered to arrange the annexation of Texas
Who was the first president of the Republic of Texas? a. Stephen Austin b. Andrew Jackson c. James Polk d. Santa Anna e. Sam Houston
e. Sam Houston
Which of the following was not one of the causes of increasingly tense relations between the Mexican government and the American residents in Texas after 1830? a. The instability of Mexican politics b. Attempts by the Mexican government to prohibit importation of slaves c. The failure of the Mexican government to pay $2 million in debts owed to American citizens d. The bitter memories that American residents held of the Alamo and the Goliad massacre e. The desire of the Mexican government to sell Texas to the United States
e. The desire of the Mexican government to sell Texas to the United States
Which of the following was not one of the responses of American workers to the economic difficulties of the 1830s and 1840s? a. They attacked Irish Catholic immigrants b. They struck for wage increases c. They established rural republican townships d. They attempted to form labor unions e. They joined forces to buy factories and run them as cooperative, employee-owned companies
e. They joined forces to buy factories and run them as cooperative, employee-owned companies
President Tyler infuriated Henry Clay by vetoing his bill in support of: a. Texas annexation b. higher tariffs c. Indian removal d. pensions for veterans e. a new national bank
e. a new national bank
When Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, Texas was: a. an independent republic b. one of the American states c. a French territory d. a commonwealth of the British Empire e. a part of Mexico
e. a part of Mexico
As president, Polk supported all of the following EXCEPT: a. acquisition of California b. tariff reduction c. restoration of the Independent Treasury d. settlement of the Oregon boundary question e. internal improvements
e. internal improvements
William Henry Harrison: a. was the last president elected from the Jacksonian Democratic party b. developed a close association with Henry Clay during his presidency c. led the fight to annex Texas d. was the first president to be assassinated e. was elected more on his military record than for taking a stand on the issues
e. was elected more on his military record than for taking a stand on the issues
Winfield Scott
led American forces at Veracruz