Grade 8 Social Studies Unit 6

The historical era referred to as westward expansion is most characterized by -

• fighting of a civil war

• growing urbanization

• changing settlement patterns

• increasing need for social reform

The Northwest Ordinance established guidelines for the orderly expansion of the U.S by instituting a

• method to purchase territory from foreign powers

• procedure for military takeovers of existing countries

• process through which states could be added to the Union

• compromise line that prohibited slavery in the West

Based on the excerpt, which effect did physical geography have on westward expansion?

• Diverse landforms made it easy to transport farming tools during the journey.

• Harsh climate conditions made it difficult to collect needed supplies along the journey

• Rich soil encouraged settlers to establish cattle ranches before continuing the journey.

• Plentiful rivers discouraged settlers from bringing their families on the journey.

The bullet points in this list would most likely be included in an essay about -

• the rise of the Republican Party

• the emergence of Manifest Destiny

• abolitionist groups in the western territories

• the growth of the secession movement in southern states

Which of these was a goal shared by many advocates of Manifest Destiny?

• Abolishing slavery throughout the United States

• Occupying all of North America

• Withdrawing from foreign affairs

• Returning to an agrarian economy

In the image above, how does the artist demonstrate a belief in Manifest Destiny?

• Women are shown leading pioneers to new lands

• Farmers are shown plowing land and hunting animals

• Pioneers are shown moving west bringing new technologies

• American Indians are shown as rebelling against the new settlers

Where would a history student most likely find this image?

• In a biography of early Spanish explorers

• In a museum exhibit about the Civil War

• In an academic presentation about Manifest Destiny

• In a textbook about European immigration

What reason did President James K. Polk give when he asked Congress to declare war against Mexico?

• To stop Mexican attacks against U.S. territory

• To prevent human rights abuses in Mexico

• To preserve religious freedom within Texas

• To ensure slavery would continue in Texas

Which event was one cause of the U.S.-Mexican War?

• The United States banned slavery in territories acquired from Mexico.

• The U.S. Congress debated statehood for New Mexico.

• U.S. and Mexican soldiers fought over disputed territory north of the Rio Grande.

• The United States acquired the Mexican Cession.

Where was most of the territory the United States acquired during the nineteenth century located?

• West of the Mississippi River

• Southeastern portion of the United States

• Along the Canadian border with the United States

• West of the Appalachian Mountains and east of the Mississippi River