AMSCO Chapter 12

Term coined in the 1840s and espoused a philosophy that the United States had a God-given right to “overspread” the continent. At the heart of the doctrine was the notion that Americans were a superior people with superior governmental institutions, and they had superior moral character.

• Trail Of Tears

• Manifest Destiny

• Popular Sovereignty

• Sectionalism

"Where, where was the heroic determination of the executive to vindicate our title to the whole of Oregon-yes sir, 'THE WHOLE OR NONE'[?] ... It has been openly avowed ... that Oregon and Texas were born and cradled together

in the Baltimore Convention; that they were the twin offspring of that political conclave; and in that avowal may be found the whole explanation of the difficulties and dangers with which the question is now attended .... I maintain "l. That this question ... is .... one for negotiations, compromise, and amicable adjustment.

"2. That satisfactory evidence has not yet been afforded that no compromise which the United States ought to accept can be effected.

"3. That, if no other mode of amicable settlement remains, arbitration ought to be resorted to .... "

-Robert C. Winthrop, speech to the House of Representatives, "Arbitration of the Oregon Question," January 3, 1846.

Winthrop suggests that Polk's slogan of "Fifty-four Forty or Fight!" was based mainly on which of the following attitudes?

• Polk held strong anti-British sentiments

• Polk believed the country needed more free land

• Polk hoped to get political benefit

• Polk felt pressure from Southerners

Which of the following served as a major cause of the war with Mexico?

• The annexation of Texas

• The Monroe Doctrine

• The Louisiana Purchase

• The election of 1844

Which period was the peak of manifest destiny?

• 1776 to 1783

• 1803 to 1810

• 1819 to 1841

• 1842 to 1853

One attempt to prevent slavery in the territories was the

• Webster-Ashburton Agreement

• Clayton-Bulwer Treaty

• Ostend Manifesto

• Wilmot Proviso

By going to war, the United States gained the territory labeled as the

• Louisiana Purchase

• Oregon Country

• Annexation of Texas

• Mexican Cession

President Polk was motivated to reject the treaty with Mexico because of which of the following?

• Many Southerners wanted the United States to get larger gains in territory

• Many Whigs opposed the treaty and were willing to continue

  the war

• The United States was in a dispute with Great Britain over the Canadian border

• The treaty called for the United States to give up the territories

  known as Upper California and New Mexico

President Polk accepted a compromise with Britain on the Oregon dispute because

• the United States was facing problems with Mexico

• the British offered a large payment

• the Russians were becoming involved

• the people who settled in California were successful

Which president was elected in 1844 on a platform supporting expansion and Manifest Destiny?

• John Quincy Adams

• William H. Harrison

• Zachary Taylor

• James K. Polk

"Fifty-four Forty or Fight!" was a slogan employed by expansionists in reference to __________________.

• Texas

• California

• Kansas

• Oregon