Question 1

Why did Americans move west of the Mississippi River during the 1830s and 1840s? How did they accomplish this, and where did they move to?

Accepted Answer

During the 1830s and 1840s, Americans mo

Question 2

Assess the presidency of James K. Polk. What were his successes and failures, and what impact did his administration have on the future of the United States?

Accepted Answer

James K. Polk's presidency, which lasted

Question 3

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 4

The idea of "manifest destiny" claimed that

Accepted Answer

A)  joint British-American occupation of North America would "civilize" the continent. 
B)  immediate war against the British would revitalize the American state. 
C)  God sanctioned American expansion westward across the continent. 
D)  slavery was the result of divine intervention. 
E)  men were destined to travel the high seas. 
A)  joint British-American occupation of North America would "civilize" the continent. 
B)  immediate war against the British would revitalize the American state. 
C)  God sanctioned American expansion westward across the continent. 
D)  slavery was the result of divine intervention. 
E)  men were destined to travel the high seas.

Question 5

Why was John Charles Frémont so influential in encouraging the mass migration of Americans?

Accepted Answer

A)  He commanded an army of volunteers in the Alamo during the Texas Revolution. 
B)  He was the leading promoter of American settlement in Texas. 
C)  He had led the first and 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. 
A)  He commanded an army of volunteers in the Alamo during the Texas Revolution. 
B)  He was the leading promoter of American settlement in Texas. 
C)  He had led the first and 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.

Question 6

The western Plains Indian tribes initially experienced little concern regarding white expansion and conquest, as settlers were only passing through the Great Plains.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

The decisive victory in the Mexican-American War came with Winfield Scott's capture of

Accepted Answer

A)  Monterrey. 
B)  the Alamo. 
C)  Cerro Gordo. 
D)  Puebla. 
E)  Mexico City. 
A)  Monterrey. 
B)  the Alamo. 
C)  Cerro Gordo. 
D)  Puebla. 
E)  Mexico City.

Question 8

On a platform that called for the annexation of Texas, Henry Clay ran as the Democratic presidential candidate against James Polk.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

What sort of racial tensions, if any, emerged as white Americans first settled in Mexico and the Spanish West during the first half of the nineteenth century?

Accepted Answer

A)  Even more than the acquisition of land, white expansionists were eager to incorporate the people of Mexico as citizens to grow the population of their settlements. 
B)  Minimal racial tensions developed because white Americans had formed agreements with Native Americans to venture across their lands. 
C)  White Americans brought enslaved African Americans with them to Mexico and the West, and they treated Hispanics essentially the same as whites. 
D)  English colonizers had settled parts of the region long ago, which made the English language more widespread and helped whites assimilate. 
E)  Many white Americans were as prejudiced toward Hispanics as they were toward Native Americans and African Americans. 
A)  Even more than the acquisition of land, white expansionists were eager to incorporate the people of Mexico as citizens to grow the population of their settlements. 
B)  Minimal racial tensions developed because white Americans had formed agreements with Native Americans to venture across their lands. 
C)  White Americans brought enslaved African Americans with them to Mexico and the West, and they treated Hispanics essentially the same as whites. 
D)  English colonizers had settled parts of the region long ago, which made the English language more widespread and helped whites assimilate. 
E)  Many white Americans were as prejudiced toward Hispanics as they were toward Native Americans and African Americans.

Question 10

What was St. Patrick's Battalion?

Accepted Answer

A)  It was a group of American Protestants who sought to convert Catholic Mexican soldiers and prisoners of war by force in the name of peace. 
B)  It was a group of northern senators that had steadfast support for the Union and refused to entertain the idea of allowing slavery to enter the West following the Mexican-American War. 
C)  It was an American army unit that saw little combat and came to be highly involved in American journalism, including through undercover missions during the Texan Revolution. 
D)  It was a Mexican army unit made up entirely of Irish and German immigrants that deserted from the American army for reasons such as higher wages and mistreatment for their religion. 
E)  It was a group of pioneers who courageously formed search parties to recover wayward travelers, served as guides, and charted maps of undiscovered territory at great personal risk. 
A)  It was a group of American Protestants who sought to convert Catholic Mexican soldiers and prisoners of war by force in the name of peace. 
B)  It was a group of northern senators that had steadfast support for the Union and refused to entertain the idea of allowing slavery to enter the West following the Mexican-American War. 
C)  It was an American army unit that saw little combat and came to be highly involved in American journalism, including through undercover missions during the Texan Revolution. 
D)  It was a Mexican army unit made up entirely of Irish and German immigrants that deserted from the American army for reasons such as higher wages and mistreatment for their religion. 
E)  It was a group of pioneers who courageously formed search parties to recover wayward travelers, served as guides, and charted maps of undiscovered territory at great personal risk.

Question 11

Members of the Donner party engaged in cannibalism when stranded on their way to California.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

How did the Mexican-American War ultimately deepen sectional divisions in the United States?

Accepted Answer

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. 
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.

Question 13

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 14

Match each description with the item below.
-John
A. Sutter

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 15

How did the Spanish missions in California differ from those in Texas and New Mexico?

Accepted Answer

A)  There were not nearly as many missions in California. 
B)  The missions in California tended to quickly become secular communities. 
C)  The missions in California took on more of a role in society and lasted much longer. 
D)  Native Americans frequently attacked and burned them in a series of raids. 
E)  The missions in California were unconcerned with converting Native Americans. 
A)  There were not nearly as many missions in California. 
B)  The missions in California tended to quickly become secular communities. 
C)  The missions in California took on more of a role in society and lasted much longer. 
D)  Native Americans frequently attacked and burned them in a series of raids. 
E)  The missions in California were unconcerned with converting Native Americans.

Question 16

Prior to Mexico becoming an independent nation in 1821, Texas was

Accepted Answer

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 and owned by Spain. 
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 and owned by Spain.

Question 17

Match each description with the item below.
-William
B. Travis

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 18

Which of the following statements sums up William Henry Harrison's presidency?

Accepted Answer

A)  He was criticized for merely following the orders of Henry Clay in much of his policy. 
B)  He actively tried to slow American migration to the West in order to build industry in the East. 
C)  He was lauded for having been able to fulfill most of the Whig economic platform. 
D)  He brought a completely different background to office than Andrew Jackson. 
E)  He had won primarily based on his status as a military hero but died after only a month in office. 
A)  He was criticized for merely following the orders of Henry Clay in much of his policy. 
B)  He actively tried to slow American migration to the West in order to build industry in the East. 
C)  He was lauded for having been able to fulfill most of the Whig economic platform. 
D)  He brought a completely different background to office than Andrew Jackson. 
E)  He had won primarily based on his status as a military hero but died after only a month in office.

Question 19

What were the similarities and differences in how California and Texas were settled and how they became part of the United States?

Accepted Answer

The settlement and incorporation of Cali

Question 20

Mexico's winning independence from Spain slowed American expansion westward.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 13: Western Expansion

Why did Americans move west of the Mississippi River during the 1830s and 1840s? How did they accomplish this, and where did they move to?

Assess the presidency of James K. Polk. What were his successes and failures, and what impact did his administration have on the future of the United States?

What was the primary reason for pioneers' movement West?

The idea of "manifest destiny" claimed that

Why was John Charles Frémont so influential in encouraging the mass migration of Americans?

The western Plains Indian tribes initially experienced little concern regarding white expansion and conquest, as settlers were only passing through the Great Plains.

The decisive victory in the Mexican-American War came with Winfield Scott's capture of

On a platform that called for the annexation of Texas, Henry Clay ran as the Democratic presidential candidate against James Polk.

What sort of racial tensions, if any, emerged as white Americans first settled in Mexico and the Spanish West during the first half of the nineteenth century?

What was St. Patrick's Battalion?

Members of the Donner party engaged in cannibalism when stranded on their way to California.

How did the Mexican-American War ultimately deepen sectional divisions in the United States?

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

Match each description with the item below. -John A. Sutter

How did the Spanish missions in California differ from those in Texas and New Mexico?

Prior to Mexico becoming an independent nation in 1821, Texas was

Match each description with the item below. -William B. Travis

Which of the following statements sums up William Henry Harrison's presidency?

What were the similarities and differences in how California and Texas were settled and how they became part of the United States?

Mexico's winning independence from Spain slowed American expansion westward.

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, Slavery, and King Cotton

Religion, Romanticism, and Reform

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

25

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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