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The Lone Star State

Total questions: 83

Worksheet time: 51mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which U.S. President was reluctant to annex Texas?

a)

Martin Van Buren

b)

John Tyler

c)

James Polk

d)

Sam Houston

2.

Why was President Van Buren reluctant to annex Texas?

a)

Feared conflict with Mexico

b)

Did not want to pay off their debt

c)

Did not agree with the terms of annexation

d)

Wanted to acquire Texas at a cheaper price

3.

In 1844 United States President John Tyler supported annexation. Who rejected the treaty to annex Texas?

a)

U.S. Senate

b)

House of Representatives

c)

Confederate States of America

d)

Representatives from Texas

4.

Which political Party supported Manifest Destiny?

a)

Democratic

b)

British Parliament

c)

Do Nothing Party

d)

Libertarians

5.

Which country opposed the U.S. Annexing Texas?

a)

Britian

b)

France

c)

Germany

d)

Ireland

6.

In 1845 Congress passed a joint resolution to annex Texas. President Polk signed the resolution and that made Texas the _______ State.

a)

28th

b)

29th

c)

27th

d)

26th

7.

In 1836, Texas President __________ favored annexation.

a)

Sam Houston

b)

Mirabeau Lamar

c)

David Burnet

d)

Stephen Austin

8.

If the United States acquired Texas, the number of slave states would?

a)

Increase

b)

Decrease

c)

Stay the same

d)

Unknown

9.

Who were the main source of population growth in the Texas Republic?

a)

Immigrants

b)

Native-born Texans

c)

American Indians

d)

Tejanos from Mexico

10.

In 1844, representatives from the United States and Texas signed a treaty of annexation statig that Texas would join the Union as a __________

a)

Territory

b)

State

c)

Repiblic

d)

Providence

11.

An agreement under the Treaty of Annexation stated that Texas would give up _______.

a)

claim to its public land

b)

claim to all mineral rights

c)

claim to Mexican citizenship

d)

claim to its oil fields

12.

Immigrants who came to Texas during the republic mostly favored annexation.

a)

True

b)

False

13.

Some Americans disapproved of Texas annexation because of the slavery issue.

a)

True

b)

False

14.

Under the 1844 treaty of annexation, Texas would enter the union as a state.

a)

True

b)

False

15.

Both 1844 Presidential candidates, Clay and Polk, opposed Texas annexation.

a)

True

b)

False

16.

The Texas state constitution of 1845 set up a privately funded school system.

a)

True

b)

False

17.

Which of the following represents a goal of the Democratic Party in 1844?

a)

desire for territorial growth

b)

gaining lands south of Texas

c)

making Manifest Destiny less popular

d)

ending slavery in Texas

18.

Why was Mexico concerned about Texas joining the United States?

a)

It wanted coastal lands.

b)

It wanted to trade with Texas.

c)

It wanted to expand to California.

d)

It still claimed Texas lands.

19.

In what way was the joint resolution of 1845 more favorable to Texas than the

1844 treaty of annexation?

a)

It included Mexican recognition of the borders of Texas.

b)

Texas would be admitted to the Union as a state and keep its public lands.

c)

Territorial status would allow continuation of slavery in the state.

d)

It allowed Texas to follow its own trade laws.

20.

What was the significance of the U.S. Congress approving the Texas Constitution

of 1845?

a)

It formally recognized the Republic of Texas.

b)

Texas changed from being a territory to a state.

c)

President Polk then signed the resolution that made Texas a state.

d)

It gave Texas the power to leave the Union if it chose to do so.

21.

Which of these is the correct order of events regarding Texas annexation?

a)

Polk becomes president, Texas is annexed, Texas gives up public lands

b)

Treaty of annexation rejected, joint resolution passed by Congress, era of

Early Statehood begins

c)

Constitution of 1845 ratified, Republic of Texas declared, Texas annexed by

Congress

d)

Mexico recognizes Texas as a state, Texas adopts slavery, Texas is annexed

22.

believed in nativism

a)

Northern Democrats

b)

Know-Nothings

c)

Southern Democrats

d)

Republican Party

e)

Whig Party

23.

thought slavery should be allowed in all territories

a)

Northern Democrats

b)

Know-Nothings

c)

Southern Democrats

d)

Republican Party

e)

Whig Party

24.

believed each territory should set its own policies on slavery

a)

Northern Democrats

b)

Know-Nothings

c)

Southern Democrats

d)

Republican Party

e)

Whig Party

25.

campaigned against the annexation of Texas

a)

Northern Democrats

b)

Know-Nothings

c)

Southern Democrats

d)

Republican Party

e)

Whig Party

26.

included many former Whigs

a)

Northern Democrats

b)

Know-Nothings

c)

Southern Democrats

d)

Republican Party

e)

Whig Party

27.

Why was James Pinckney Henderson considered a strong political leader before becoming the first governor of Texas? 

a)

He had served in the state senate with Sam Houston.

b)

He had fought in the U.S.–Mexican War and was a hero.

c)

He had held state offices and attended the Convention of 1845.

d)

He had campaigned for Texas annexation as a Whig and won

28.

How did the Democratic Party influence Texas politics during early statehood?

a)

by campaigning for the rights of Native Americans

b)

by working with the Whigs for moral reforms

c)

by supporting Texas annexation and slavery

d)

by encouraging European immigration

29.

Which position of the Whig Party weakened their support in Texas in the mid-1800s?

a)

support for Texas annexation

b)

being a secretive organization

c)

support for immigrant's rights

d)

opposing slavery in Western territories

30.

Which of the following was the chief position of the Know-Nothing Party?

a)

promoting moral reforms

b)

limiting immigration

c)

supporting business interests

d)

fighting for womens rights

31.

What step was taken by the federal government to protect Texas settlers from Native American raids in the mid-1800s?

a)

moving Native Americans to reservations

b)

building forts for Native Americans

c)

sending U.S. troops to accompany settlers

d)

banning settlements in western Texas

32.

The two major political parties in Texas were the_______

a)

Democrats and the Whigs

b)

Republicans and the Whigs

c)

Democrats and the Republicans

d)

Whigs and the Know-Nothings

33.

The Whig party supported abolition and generally represented _________ instead of farmers or workers.

a)

businesses

b)

politicians

c)

indiands

d)

ranchers

34.

Who favored the interests of native-born American citizens?

a)

Know-nothing party

b)

Democratic party

c)

Republican party

d)

Whig party

35.

Enslaved African Americans, free African Americans, and who else had few or no rights.

a)

Women

b)

Tejanos

c)

Native americans

d)

Mexicans

36.

In 1850, the people of Texas voted to make _________ its capital.

a)

Austin

b)

Houston

c)

San Felipe

d)

San Antonio

37.

Clashes between settlers and Native Americans increased. In an effort to protect the settlers, the federal government relocated many Texas native Americans to reservations. And established _____________ along the frontier.

a)

a line of forts

b)

a barracade

c)

a peace treaty

d)

a no mans land

38.

The last battle in the U.S.–Mexican War resulted in the capture of Mexico City.

a)

True

b)

False

39.

In 1845 U.S. forces crossed the Nueces to attack Mexican troops.

a)

True

b)

False

40.

Under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Mexico surrendered to the United

States a huge territory from western Texas to the Pacific Ocean.

a)

True

b)

False

41.

Texas gave up its claims to New Mexico as part of the Compromise of 1850.

a)

True

b)

False

42.

The United States finalized its modern boundary with Mexico when it signed the

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

a)

True

b)

False

43.

Which of these did Texas and Mexico disagree on before the U.S.–Mexican War?

a)

allowing slavery in New Mexico

b)

control of San Antonio

c)

claims to the land between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande

d)

citizenship for Mexicans who lived in Texas

44.

What reason did President James Polk give Congress when he requested a

declaration of war against Mexico in 1846?

a)

Mexico had invaded U.S. territory south of the Rio Grande.

b)

Mexico was late paying reparations from the Texas Revolution.

c)

Mexico wanted more money for giving up Texas land.

d)

Mexico had shed American blood on American soil.

45.

Which accomplishment brought General Zachary Taylor national fame?

a)

claiming California

b)

capturing Mexico City

c)

commanding only Texas volunteers

d)

defeating Santa Anna at Buena Vista

46.

What happened to Mexicans living in the Mexican Cession according to the

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

a)

They lost their land

b)

They had to move to Mexico

c)

They could choose to be U.S. citizens

d)

They had to pay to keep their land

47.

What was a key feature of the Compromise of 1850?

a)

Mexico gave up land on the southern borders of Arizona and New Mexico.

b)

Much of what had been New Mexico was added to Texas.

c)

California was admitted as a free state.

d)

Half of the new territories would be admitted as slave states.

48.

Mexico immediately declared war after Texas annexation.

a)

True

b)

False

49.

Mexico claimed the Nueces River was the northern boundary of

Mexico and also that Texas belonged to Mexico.

a)

True

b)

False

50.

John Slidell went on a secret mission to offer Mexico $30 million for

the strip of land between the two rivers.

a)

True

b)

False

51.

When the Mexican government refused, Polk sent General Taylor to

guard the Nueces River.

a)

True

b)

False

52.

Before he learned of the skirmish along the Nueces, Polk had

prepared a declaration of war against Mexico for its refusal to pay

Texas for damaging Texas property during the Revolution.

a)

True

b)

False

53.

Land made available under the Texas Homestead Law influenced the growth of

Texas’s population from 1850 to 1860.

a)

True

b)

False

54.

Although many Mexican Texans faced discrimination, they maintained their

Spanish language, Catholic religion, and Mexican traditions.

a)

True

b)

False

55.

In antebellum Texas, free African Americans were encouraged to immigrate to

the state.

a)

True

b)

False

56.

The Alabama and Coushatta came to Texas from the east starting in the 1760s.

a)

True

b)

False

57.

Who were most of the new residents of Texas in the mid-1800s?

a)

African Americans

b)

European Immigrants

c)

Immigrants from the Southern states

d)

Native Americans from other states

58.

What drew large numbers of European immigrants to Texas in the mid-1800s?

a)

plentiful factory jobs

b)

freedom of the press and religion

c)

availability of free or inexpensive land

d)

the adventure of frontier life

59.

How did German Texans preserve their home culture after migrating to Texas?

a)

by maintaining food, festivals, and religious practices

b)

by returning to Germany after several years

c)

through activities with Irish Texans and other immigrants

d)

by pushing for a state law that allowed the German language in schools

60.

One reason the Whig Party was weak in Texas was because it opposed

expanding ______________in the Western territories.

a)

slavery

b)

immigration

c)

political parties

d)

American interests

61.

British leaders opposed Texas annexation because they thought they could

obtain better trading terms with the Republic of Texas.

a)

True

b)

False

62.

African Americans, Native Americans, and Women had no voting rights under

the Texas state constitution of 1845.

a)

True

b)

False

63.

After the U.S.–Mexican War, Mexican Texans faced discrimination while

competing for land.

a)

True

b)

False

64.

Match the following

a)

called for Texas to give up its claim to

land in New Mexico for $10 million

in 1850

1.

Pearce Plan

b)

area of southern New Mexico and

Arizona purchased by the United States

from Mexico

2.

Gadsden Purchase

c)

agreement that called for the United

States to pay the Republic of Texas’ debts

of $12 million

3.

treaty of annexation

in 1844

d)

peace agreement signed on February 2,

1848, after the U.S.–Mexican War

4.

Treaty of Guadalupe

Hidalgo

e)

area surrendered by Mexico after the

U.S.–Mexican War

5.

Mexican Cession

65.

Sam Houston, in his first term as president of Texas, favored the idea that Texas

should join the United States.

a)

True

b)

False

66-67.

“Resolved, That our title to the whole of the Territory of Oregon is clear and

unquestionable; that no portion of the same ought to be ceded to England or any other power, and that the reoccupation of Oregon and the re-annexation of Texas at the earliest practicable period are great American measures, which this Convention recommends to the cordial support of the Democracy of the Union.”

—Democratic Party Platform, 1844

66.

Based on the excerpt, what did the Democratic Party consider “great American

measures”?

a)

establishing peaceful relations with England

b)

closing newly gained territories to slavery

c)

expanding U.S. territory west of the Mississippi River

d)

supporting the democracy of the Union

67.

Based on the excerpt, what did the Democratic Party consider “great American

measures”?

a)

establishing peaceful relations with England

b)

closing newly gained territories to slavery

c)

expanding U.S. territory west of the Mississippi River

d)

supporting the democracy of the Union

68.

How did the 1844 U.S. presidential election affect the issue of Texas annexation?

a)

James Polk’s victory sped up the move to annex Texas.

b)

Henry Clay’s huge loss meant that annexation was on hold.

c)

Franklin Pierce’s victory led Mexico and England to move to recognize Texas

as a nation.

d)

Martin Van Buren’s election meant further negotiations on statehood.

69.

What key political issue was raised due to new U.S. territory gained as a result

of the war with Mexico?

a)

location of the border between Texas and Mexico

b)

whether the new territories would be open to slavery

c)

whether Mexico would follow through on paying reparations

d)

whether the new territories had any important resources

70.

How did the 1850 amendments to the first Texas state constitution increase

voters’ voice in state politics?

a)

allowed voters to decide on relocating Native Americans

b)

allowed voters to elect the governor for the first time

c)

gave voters power to elect more state officials

d)

gave voters the right to approve the state budget

71.

What was one outcome of the U.S.–Mexican War?

a)

The United States gained control of the Oregon Country.

b)

Mexico gave up all claims to Texas.

c)

Texas and the new territories had to give up slavery.

d)

Mexicans living in the new territories moved to Mexico.

72.

How were free African Americans treated in Texas during early statehood?

a)

Residents welcomed their arrival in Texas.

b)

They were treated equally with enslaved persons.

c)

A state law banned them from settling in Texas.

d)

They were treated worse than enslaved people in Mexico.

73.

The Texas constitution of 1845 directed the state legislature to provide for the support and maintenance of____________

a)

public schools

b)

public lands

c)

public property

d)

public libraries

74.

Native Americans were not allowed to vote in Texas during early statehood because they were not recognized as ______________

a)

citizens

b)

settlers

c)

native Tejanos

d)

anglo-americans

75.

Texas had two major political parties during early statehood: the Democrats and the _______________

a)

Whigs

b)

Know-nothings

c)

Republicans

d)

socialists

76.

U.S. Presidents Martin Van Buren and ___________ had opposing positions on the question of the annexation of Texas

a)

John Tyler

b)

Sam Houston

c)

David Burnett

d)

Mirabeau Lamar

77.

Match the following

a)

president of the United States who made the Gadsden Purchase

1.

Franklin Pierce

b)

U.S. envoy sent to Mexico to negotiate purchase of disputed territory

2.

John Slidell

c)

commander of the U.S. forces in Texas at the beginning of the U.S.–Mexican War

3.

Zachary Taylor

d)

Texas president who favored Texas annexation

4.

Sam Houston

e)

president of the United States during the U.S.–Mexican War

5.

James K Polk

78-80.

As more settlers moved west, clashes between the newcomers and Native Americans increased. The federal government wanted to ensure the safety of its citizens. . . .  Many settlers in Texas opposed the federal reservation system. They believed that raids in northern and central Texas were organized by Native Americans from the reservations. Some raids were carried out by Native American groups who refused to move to the reservations. In other instances, Native Americans left the reservations to raid, then returned to the reservations for protection. Texans were more satisfied with another federal effort to protect them. The government established a string of forts along the frontier, from Brownsville, west to Eagle Pass and north to the Red River. Over time, as the frontier edged westward, the line of forts moved as well. Settlers approved of the forts, which protected and encouraged settlement. —Texas History

78.

Based on the excerpt, why did Texas settlers oppose the federal reservation system?

a)

They believed that Native Americans from the reservations raided their settlements

b)

They thought that the federal government favored the Native Americans.

c)

They were concerned that Native Americans would raid Mexico and start a war

d)

They thought the reservations were too costly.

79.

Based on the excerpt, why did Texas settlers oppose the federal reservation system?

a)

They believed that Native Americans from the reservations raided their settlements.

b)

They thought that the federal government favored the Native Americans

c)

They were concerned that Native Americans would raid Mexico and start a war

d)

They thought the reservations were too costly.

80.

Based on the excerpt, why did Texans prefer the federal government to build a string of forts?

a)

The forts protected the largest towns from attack by Native Americans

b)

The forts were located long distances from reservations.

c)

The forts offered protection to Native Americans who did not move to reservations.

d)

The forts offered protection to settlers, encouraging settlement.

81.

Which of the following statements best describes Manifest Destiny?

a)

The United States should acquire Texas before it became its own nation

b)

The United States needed to compete for trade with Asia

c)

The United States was meant to share North America with England and France.

d)

The United States had the right to settle North America from coast to coast.

82.

What was one reason that the U.S. Senate opposed the annexation treaty

of 1844?

a)

Annexation would give slave states a political advantage.

b)

Annexation would increase the number of non-slave states over slave states.

c)

Mexico would try to expand its territory to New Mexico.

d)

Texas denied voting rights to women.

83.

How did the amendments to the Texas state constitution in 1850 increase

citizens’ rights?

a)

by giving them the power to vote for better homestead laws

b)

by allowing them to elect more state officials

c)

by giving them the power to approve all future amendments

d)

by giving them the right to elect members of the state legislature

84.

Which of the following statements reflects an outcome of the Treaty of

Guadalupe Hidalgo?

a)

The Mexican Cession was split between the United States and Mexico.

b)

Americans south of the Nueces River could become Mexican citizens.

c)

Mexico made a $15 million payment to cover claims of U.S. citizens against

Mexico.

d)

The boundary between the United States and Mexico was settled.

85.

The national census of 1850 counted 212,592 Texans. Over the next ten years, the population nearly tripled to 604,215. As before, many of the new residents were from the Southern states, particularly Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. Nearly three of every four households in Texas consisted of families from Southern states. Visitors in Southern states often saw empty houses with the letters “GTT” on the doors. The initials stood for “Gone To Texas.”

—Texas History

85.

Based on the excerpt, where did the residents in most new Texas households

come from between 1850 and 1860?

a)

over half were from Georgia and Tennessee

b)

nearly three out of four were from Southern states

c)

mostly from Southern states except Virginia

d)

mostly from states bordering northern and eastern Texas

86.

Which of the following statements about African Americans in Texas during early

statehood is accurate?

a)

The vast majority of African Americans were enslaved.

b)

About half of the African Americans were free.

c)

Most free African Americans fled to Mexico.

d)

Laws encouraged free African Americans to come to Texas.