Question 1

In what way did John Tyler become a "president without a party"? Use examples to make an argument regarding how much of this was his own doing.

Accepted Answer

John Tyler became a "president without a

Question 2

Discuss the American movement to annex Texas between 1820 and 1845. Why did it take so long for annexation to succeed?

Accepted Answer

The American movement to annex Texas bet

Question 3

As president, which of the following did Polk support?

Accepted Answer

A)  handing parts of the Oregon territory over to Britain to ensure peaceful relations 
B)  major increases in tariffs on imports to raise consumer prices 
C)  Mexican rule in California in return for control over Texas 
D)  fewer foreign goods competing in the American marketplace 
E)  the federal government's management of government funds through a National Treasury 
A)  handing parts of the Oregon territory over to Britain to ensure peaceful relations 
B)  major increases in tariffs on imports to raise consumer prices 
C)  Mexican rule in California in return for control over Texas 
D)  fewer foreign goods competing in the American marketplace 
E)  the federal government's management of government funds through a National Treasury

Question 4

What was the primary reason for pioneers' movement West?

Accepted Answer

A)  to settle an uninhabited expanse of land, introducing its first cultural traditions 
B)  to lead an isolated lifestyle devoid of capitalistic influences 
C)  to seek to improve their lot economically, such as by farming, mining, and hunting 
D)  to prevent the expansion of slavery because cotton was impossible to grow in new territories 
E)  to adopt and preserve Hispanic traditions that offered an alluring contrast to the eastern states 
A)  to settle an uninhabited expanse of land, introducing its first cultural traditions 
B)  to lead an isolated lifestyle devoid of capitalistic influences 
C)  to seek to improve their lot economically, such as by farming, mining, and hunting 
D)  to prevent the expansion of slavery because cotton was impossible to grow in new territories 
E)  to adopt and preserve Hispanic traditions that offered an alluring contrast to the eastern states

Question 5

Most of the American settlers in Texas went there because of

Accepted Answer

A)  the prominence of the fur trade. 
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. 
A)  the prominence of the fur trade. 
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.

Question 6

Match each description with the item below.
-Antonio López de Santa Anna

Accepted Answer

A) was the young congressman who argued that Polk had maneuvered the Mexicans into attacking 
B) was the general-in-chief of the American army during the Mexican-American War and was called the "greatest living soldier" by the Duke of Wellington 
C) was elected vice president in 1840 but took over the presidency without having been elected to the office 
D) was one of the defenders at the Alamo who led the "regular army" soldiers, partly as a means to leave behind a checkered past in Alabama 
E) was the American who captured San Diego and Los Angeles after quarreling with General Stephen Kearny over who was in command of the army
F)was the secretary of state who negotiated the treaty resolving the boundary between the northeastern United States and British Canada
G)was known as "the Pathfinder" and became the most enthusiastic champion of American settlement
in Mexican California and the Far West
H)called himself the "Napoleon of the West" and suspended the Mexican national congress in the face of Texan rebelliousness
I)founded a colony of European emigrants in California and sought to create a wilderness empire by putting Native Americans to work
J)was a Franciscan friar who led the creation of a Catholic mission in San Diego, California 
A) was the young congressman who argued that Polk had maneuvered the Mexicans into attacking 
B) was the general-in-chief of the American army during the Mexican-American War and was called the "greatest living soldier" by the Duke of Wellington 
C) was elected vice president in 1840 but took over the presidency without having been elected to the office 
D) was one of the defenders at the Alamo who led the "regular army" soldiers, partly as a means to leave behind a checkered past in Alabama 
E) was the American who captured San Diego and Los Angeles after quarreling with General Stephen Kearny over who was in command of the army
F)was the secretary of state who negotiated the treaty resolving the boundary between the northeastern United States and British Canada
G)was known as "the Pathfinder" and became the most enthusiastic champion of American settlement
in Mexican California and the Far West
H)called himself the "Napoleon of the West" and suspended the Mexican national congress in the face of Texan rebelliousness
I)founded a colony of European emigrants in California and sought to create a wilderness empire by putting Native Americans to work
J)was a Franciscan friar who led the creation of a Catholic mission in San Diego, California

Question 7

Why did the Mexican government attempt to curtail the American settlement of Texas?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Mexican government feared it would spark a war with Napoléon, who continued to have a stake in the South and held control of most of Louisiana. 
B)  The Mexican government worried about the intentions of the Americans living there, namely the possibility of their conspiring with the United States to take Texas. 
C)  The Americans had adopted the Mexican identity as their own to such a degree that the Mexican government feared Mexico would not reap the benefits of Americanization. 
D)  Food resources in the region were already scarce, which the Mexican government feared would result in intense competition with the Americans for basic resources. 
E)  The Mexican government wished to honor the British claim to the territory that had been in place since the end of the French and Indian War. 
A)  The Mexican government feared it would spark a war with Napoléon, who continued to have a stake in the South and held control of most of Louisiana. 
B)  The Mexican government worried about the intentions of the Americans living there, namely the possibility of their conspiring with the United States to take Texas. 
C)  The Americans had adopted the Mexican identity as their own to such a degree that the Mexican government feared Mexico would not reap the benefits of Americanization. 
D)  Food resources in the region were already scarce, which the Mexican government feared would result in intense competition with the Americans for basic resources. 
E)  The Mexican government wished to honor the British claim to the territory that had been in place since the end of the French and Indian War.

Question 8

John Tyler broke with the Democrats and joined with the Whigs because he

Accepted Answer

A)  morally opposed slavery and refused to allow it to enter the West. 
B)  disagreed with Andrew Jackson's position on nullification. 
C)  opposed the succession of South Carolina from the nation. 
D)  believed all property owners should have the vote. 
E)  supported Clay's program of economic nationalism. 
A)  morally opposed slavery and refused to allow it to enter the West. 
B)  disagreed with Andrew Jackson's position on nullification. 
C)  opposed the succession of South Carolina from the nation. 
D)  believed all property owners should have the vote. 
E)  supported Clay's program of economic nationalism.

Question 9

Martin Van Buren's stance against annexing Texas

Accepted Answer

A)  soon became the focus of his presidency at his own urging. 
B)  won him the influential support of former president Andrew Jackson. 
C)  secured his nomination as the Whig candidate for president. 
D)  cost him his party's nomination in the election of 1844. 
E)  was motivated by his primary desire to expand slavery. 
A)  soon became the focus of his presidency at his own urging. 
B)  won him the influential support of former president Andrew Jackson. 
C)  secured his nomination as the Whig candidate for president. 
D)  cost him his party's nomination in the election of 1844. 
E)  was motivated by his primary desire to expand slavery.

Question 10

Match each description with the item below.
-Winfield Scott

Accepted Answer

A) was the young congressman who argued that Polk had maneuvered the Mexicans into attacking 
B) was the general-in-chief of the American army during the Mexican-American War and was called the "greatest living soldier" by the Duke of Wellington 
C) was elected vice president in 1840 but took over the presidency without having been elected to the office 
D) was one of the defenders at the Alamo who led the "regular army" soldiers, partly as a means to leave behind a checkered past in Alabama 
E) was the American who captured San Diego and Los Angeles after quarreling with General Stephen Kearny over who was in command of the army
F)was the secretary of state who negotiated the treaty resolving the boundary between the northeastern United States and British Canada
G)was known as "the Pathfinder" and became the most enthusiastic champion of American settlement
in Mexican California and the Far West
H)called himself the "Napoleon of the West" and suspended the Mexican national congress in the face of Texan rebelliousness
I)founded a colony of European emigrants in California and sought to create a wilderness empire by putting Native Americans to work
J)was a Franciscan friar who led the creation of a Catholic mission in San Diego, California 
A) was the young congressman who argued that Polk had maneuvered the Mexicans into attacking 
B) was the general-in-chief of the American army during the Mexican-American War and was called the "greatest living soldier" by the Duke of Wellington 
C) was elected vice president in 1840 but took over the presidency without having been elected to the office 
D) was one of the defenders at the Alamo who led the "regular army" soldiers, partly as a means to leave behind a checkered past in Alabama 
E) was the American who captured San Diego and Los Angeles after quarreling with General Stephen Kearny over who was in command of the army
F)was the secretary of state who negotiated the treaty resolving the boundary between the northeastern United States and British Canada
G)was known as "the Pathfinder" and became the most enthusiastic champion of American settlement
in Mexican California and the Far West
H)called himself the "Napoleon of the West" and suspended the Mexican national congress in the face of Texan rebelliousness
I)founded a colony of European emigrants in California and sought to create a wilderness empire by putting Native Americans to work
J)was a Franciscan friar who led the creation of a Catholic mission in San Diego, California

Question 11

Prior to the Mexican-American War, Frémont and a band of American settlers had captured Sonoma in northern California from Mexico and proclaimed the Republic of California.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Which of the following was partly an effect of the Mexican-American War?

Accepted Answer

A)  the taking of all of Mexico by the United States 
B)  the United States' becoming a transcontinental nation 
C)  the start of a prolonged depression 
D)  Polk's rising unpopularity among American expansionists 
E)  a dramatic weakening of the federal government 
A)  the taking of all of Mexico by the United States 
B)  the United States' becoming a transcontinental nation 
C)  the start of a prolonged depression 
D)  Polk's rising unpopularity among American expansionists 
E)  a dramatic weakening of the federal government

Question 13

David Crockett had lost his bid for reelection to Congress and declared he would go to Texas to make his fortune.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Why did the Anglo Texans rebel against the Mexican government of Santa Anna?

Accepted Answer

A)  out of worry that the Mexicans planned to attack U.S. territories east of Texas 
B)  due to their alliance with the Comanche Native Americans 
C)  out of fear that he was becoming dictatorial and might use that power to free their slaves 
D)  at the request of Spain, which was trying to regain control of Mexico 
E)  due to their opposition to taxation without representation 
A)  out of worry that the Mexicans planned to attack U.S. territories east of Texas 
B)  due to their alliance with the Comanche Native Americans 
C)  out of fear that he was becoming dictatorial and might use that power to free their slaves 
D)  at the request of Spain, which was trying to regain control of Mexico 
E)  due to their opposition to taxation without representation

Question 15

Trace the development of the Oregon Country prior to the Mexican-American War.

Accepted Answer

The Oregon Country, which encompassed pr

Question 16

What was one way the Mexican-American War proved unique in American history?

Accepted Answer

A)  It was America's first major military defeat on foreign soil and led Americans to adopt a wholly new approach to war in terms of both weapons and military strategy. 
B)  It was a war in which nearly all Americans consistently supported the conflict and continued to believe it to have been justified even after its conclusion. 
C)  It was at odds with the idea of manifest destiny that had long influenced other American wars and was driven mainly by religious factors. 
D)  It was America's first major military intervention outside the United States and the first time
That U.S. military forces had conquered and occupied another country. 
E)  In terms of the percentage of combatants killed, it had the lowest death rate of any war in American history and, thus, made more Americans likely to join the military in the next war. 
A)  It was America's first major military defeat on foreign soil and led Americans to adopt a wholly new approach to war in terms of both weapons and military strategy. 
B)  It was a war in which nearly all Americans consistently supported the conflict and continued to believe it to have been justified even after its conclusion. 
C)  It was at odds with the idea of manifest destiny that had long influenced other American wars and was driven mainly by religious factors. 
D)  It was America's first major military intervention outside the United States and the first time
That U.S. military forces had conquered and occupied another country. 
E)  In terms of the percentage of combatants killed, it had the lowest death rate of any war in American history and, thus, made more Americans likely to join the military in the next war.

Question 17

Congress ultimately voted to annex the Republic of Texas via a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  treaty of annexation signed by Mexico. 
B)  resolution by the House of Representatives. 
C)  joint resolution of Congress requested by President Tyler. 
D)  voice vote in the Senate. 
E)  executive order. 
A)  treaty of annexation signed by Mexico. 
B)  resolution by the House of Representatives. 
C)  joint resolution of Congress requested by President Tyler. 
D)  voice vote in the Senate. 
E)  executive order.

Question 18

James Polk's plan to acquire California and New Mexico primarily entailed

Accepted Answer

A)  his willingness to purchase them at whatever price Mexico demanded. 
B)  a war big enough to acquire the land, but small enough to avoid creating a political rival. 
C)  the exchange of territory still held by the United States in Canada for the Southwest. 
D)  constant migration until the land was American simply by virtue of population and settlement. 
E)  the initial threat of war but intention to stick to purchase or diplomacy during his second term. 
A)  his willingness to purchase them at whatever price Mexico demanded. 
B)  a war big enough to acquire the land, but small enough to avoid creating a political rival. 
C)  the exchange of territory still held by the United States in Canada for the Southwest. 
D)  constant migration until the land was American simply by virtue of population and settlement. 
E)  the initial threat of war but intention to stick to purchase or diplomacy during his second term.

Question 19

How did opposition to the Mexican-American War complicate national politics?

Accepted Answer

Opposition to the Mexican-American War c

Question 20

Which leader was described as a president without a party because his actions alienated him from both Democrats and Whigs?

Accepted Answer

A)  William Henry Harrison 
B)  Sam Houston 
C)  James K. Polk 
D)  John Tyler 
E)  Henry Clay 
A)  William Henry Harrison 
B)  Sam Houston 
C)  James K. Polk 
D)  John Tyler 
E)  Henry Clay

Exam 13: Western Expansion

In what way did John Tyler become a "president without a party"? Use examples to make an argument regarding how much of this was his own doing.

Discuss the American movement to annex Texas between 1820 and 1845. Why did it take so long for annexation to succeed?

As president, which of the following did Polk support?

What was the primary reason for pioneers' movement West?

Most of the American settlers in Texas went there because of

Match each description with the item below. -Antonio López de Santa Anna

Why did the Mexican government attempt to curtail the American settlement of Texas?

John Tyler broke with the Democrats and joined with the Whigs because he

Martin Van Buren's stance against annexing Texas

Match each description with the item below. -Winfield Scott

Prior to the Mexican-American War, Frémont and a band of American settlers had captured Sonoma in northern California from Mexico and proclaimed the Republic of California.

Which of the following was partly an effect of the Mexican-American War?

David Crockett had lost his bid for reelection to Congress and declared he would go to Texas to make his fortune.

Why did the Anglo Texans rebel against the Mexican government of Santa Anna?

Trace the development of the Oregon Country prior to the Mexican-American War.

What was one way the Mexican-American War proved unique in American history?

Congress ultimately voted to annex the Republic of Texas via a(n)

James Polk's plan to acquire California and New Mexico primarily entailed

How did opposition to the Mexican-American War complicate national politics?

Which leader was described as a president without a party because his actions alienated him from both Democrats and Whigs?

The Collision of Cultures

Englands Colonies

Colonial Ways of Life

From Colonies to States

The American Revolution

Strengthening the New Nation

The Early Republic

The Emergence of a Market Economy

Nationalism and Sectionalism

The Jacksonian Era

The South

Religion

The Gathering Storm

The War of the Union

The Era of Reconstruction

Business and Labor in the Industrial Era

The New South and the New West

Political Stalemate and Rural Revolt

Seizing an American Empire

The Progressive Era

America and the Great War

A Clash of Cultures

The Reactionary Twenties

The Great Depression

The Second World War

The Cold War and the Fair Deal

Cold War America

A New Frontier and a Great Society

Rebellion and Reaction

Conservative Revival

Twenty-First Century America

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