Manifest Destiny, Texas, Mexican-American War, Gold Rush

What was “manifest destiny”?

• The belief that the expansion of the US across North America was justified and inevitable.

• A belief that the U.S. should remain within its original borders.
• An idea that the U.S. should expand only through diplomacy.
• A philosophy advocating for the reduction of U.S. territory.

Why did many people move west during the 1840s?

• To escape from wars in Europe

• To find new land and escape economic problems

• To join the British colonies in Canada

• To avoid paying taxes

What was the main purpose of the Santa Fe Trail?

• It was a military road for U.S. troops

• It connected New York and Washington, D.C.

• It was used by traders to carry goods to New Mexico

• It was a religious path used by missionaries

What was the Oregon Trail important for?

• Showing that wagons could travel all the way west to Oregon

• Connecting Texas and California by railroad

• Providing a shortcut to Santa Fe

• Bringing gold from California to Missouri

Why did Mexico invite Americans to settle in Texas after winning independence from Spain?

• To help fight against Native Americans

• To make the land more secure and stable

• To find gold and silver mines

• To spread U.S. democracy

Who established a colony in Texas in 1821 that became known as “The Father of Texas”?

• Stephen F. Austin
• James Bowie
• Sam Houston
• William B. Travis

What famous 1836 battle became a rallying cry for Texan independence?

• The Battle of the Alamo
• The Battle of Bunker Hill
• The Battle of Gettysburg
• The Battle of Waterloo

What was the outcome of the Battle of the Alamo?

• The Texian defenders were defeated.
• The Alamo was abandoned without a fight.
• The battle ended in a stalemate.
• The Texian defenders won the battle.

What was the outcome of the Battle of San Jacinto?

• Texans lost badly and gave up independence

• Texans captured Santa Anna and forced him to sign a treaty

• Mexico captured Sam Houston and ended the revolt

• The U.S. Congress immediately annexed Texas

Why did some Northerners oppose annexing Texas?

• They thought it would start a war with Britain

• They feared it would add more slave states

• They believed Texas was too far from the rest of the U.S.

• They worried Texas had no natural resources