Manifest Destiny Part 2

Multiple Choice

Why was the annexation of Texas significant during the presidency of James K. Polk?

• It increased the number of free states

• It led to diplomatic problems with Mexico

• It abolished slavery in Texas

• It made Texas an independent nation

Open Ended

What challenges did President James K. Polk face in his efforts to expand U.S. territory, and how did his actions impact relations with Mexico?

Multiple Choice

What was the main dispute concerning the Mexico/Texas border during James K. Polk's presidency?

• Mexico claimed the border was the Nueces River, while the U.S. claimed it was the Rio Grande.

• Mexico wanted the border at the Rio Grande, while the U.S. wanted it at the Nueces River.

• Both Mexico and the U.S. agreed on the Rio Grande as the border.

• The U.S. wanted the border at the Mississippi River.

Open Ended

Explain how the actions of President Polk and General Zachary Taylor in April 1846 contributed to the outbreak of the Mexican-American War.

Multiple Select

Which of the following were reasons Congress declared war on Mexico during Polk's presidency?

• American blood was spilled on American soil

• Whigs in Congress supported the war

• Mexico attacked U.S. territory

• Congress wanted to expand U.S. territory

IMPORTANT BATTLES:

1. CALIFORNIA

•U.S. Lt. Col. John C. Frémont and his troops helped the BEAR FLAG REBELLION overthrow Mexican rule in California

• the  Bear Flag Republic was established in June 1846

Open Ended

Describe the significance of General Stephen Kearny's actions in New Mexico during the Mexican-American War.

IMPORTANT BATTLES: 2. NEW MEXICO

•U.S. General Stephen Kearny and his troops easily took control over Santa Fe and New Mexico in August 1846

Multiple Choice

Who led U.S. troops to victory at Buena Vista in February 1847?

• Stephen Kearny

• John C. Frémont

• Zachary Taylor

• James K. Polk

IMPORTANT BATTLES:

4. VERA CRUZ

•U.S. General Winfield Scott led troops to victory at VERA CRUZ (Veracruz) in March 1847  and Mexico City in September 1847

Multiple Choice

Which U.S. General led troops to victory at Vera Cruz during the Mexican-American War?

• Winfield Scott

• Zachary Taylor

• Ulysses S. Grant

• Robert E. Lee

Treat of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)

•Ended the Mexican-American War

•Mexico recognized the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas

•MEXICAN CESSION - Mexico ceded California and New Mexico to United States

•U.S. paid $15 million to Mexico and assumed any claims Americans held against Mexico

Open Ended

Explain the significance of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in shaping the borders of the United States.

Multiple Choice

Which territories did Mexico cede to the United States as part of the Mexican Cession in 1848?

• California and New Mexico

• Texas and Arizona

• Nevada and Utah

• Oregon and Washington

Open Ended

How did the acquisition of more western land after the Mexican-American War increase tensions over slavery in the United States?

Multiple Choice

Who proposed that slavery be forbidden in any new territories acquired from Mexico in 1846?

• David Wilmot

• Henry Clay

• Stephen Douglas

• John C. Calhoun

​1846 - President Polk backed down from the idea of “54’40” or fight” and settled for half of the Oregon territory (the northern boundary of Oregon was drawn at the 49th parallel)

•The Senate agreed to the compromise because they did not want to have to fight England and Mexico at the same time

Multiple Choice

Why did President Polk settle for the 49th parallel as the northern boundary of Oregon instead of insisting on '54'40 or fight'?

• He wanted to avoid conflict with England and Mexico

• He believed the 49th parallel was a better boundary

• He wanted to expand further north

• He was pressured by western settlers

•People flocked to the new territories in search of a better life

•Travelers packed wagons full of their belongings and supplies

•They walked west in groups called wagon trains along westward trails like the Oregon, California, Santa Fe, and Mormon trails that began in St. Joseph or Independence, Missouri

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Multiple Select

Which of the following trails did westward travelers use during the settlement of western territories?

• Oregon Trail

• California Trail

• Santa Fe Trail

• Appalachian Trail

​•The trails followed river valleys through the Great Plains and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains or through the southwest desert and the mountain passes of the Sierra Nevada or Cascades

•Moved about 15 miles per day, disease and depression killed more than attacks by Native Americans

•Moving west along these trails was expensive so it was mostly a middle class movement

Open Ended

Describe the experiences and challenges faced by travelers moving westward in wagon trains during the settlement of western territories.

Multiple Choice

After Zachary Taylor died in 1850, who became president?

• Millard Fillmore

• Lewis Cass

• Martin Van Buren

• James Polk

•1848 - gold was discovered in California

•The discovery resulted in the California Gold Rush (1849) as 49ners flocked to California to strike it rich

•California’s population skyrocketed from 14,000 to 380,000 by 1860 (1/3 are Chinese)

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Open Ended

Explain how the discovery of gold in California in 1848 impacted the population and development of California.

Multiple Choice

Which states experienced major silver and gold rushes after California?

• Nevada, Colorado, South Dakota

• Texas, Arizona, Montana

• Oregon, Utah, Idaho

• Washington, New Mexico, Wyoming

Multiple Select

Select all the effects of the gold and silver rushes on the western United States.

• Rapid population growth

• Expansion of railroads

• Decline in agriculture

• Creation of ghost towns

Open Ended

Explain how the gold and silver rushes influenced the development of western cities and transportation.

Open Ended

How did President James K. Polk attempt to acquire California and New Mexico, and what was the outcome?

Multiple Choice

What were the consequences of Texas being annexed by the United States in 1845?

• It became the 28th state and 15th slave state, leading to problems with Mexico

• Texas became independent from the United States

• The United States abolished slavery in Texas

• Texas was sold to Mexico