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NEMS Westward Expansion Review

Total questions: 28

Worksheet time: 28mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is the Oregon Trail best described as?

a)

A boundary line between American Oregon Territory and British Canada.

b)

A route across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains to the West.

c)

A term for people who came to California in 1849.

d)

A forced movement of Native-Americans.

2.

Who was Sam Houston?

a)

Founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

b)

President of the U.S. during the Mexican-American war.

c)

Commander of Texan forces, and president of the Lone Star Republic.

d)

General who oversaw the Trail of Tears and the Mexican-American War.

3.

What does the term "Forty-niners" refer to?

a)

Texans of Mexican descent.

b)

People who came to California in 1849, many looking for gold.

c)

Participants in the Trail of Tears.

d)

Settlers of the Oregon Territory.

4.

What was the primary cause of the massive wave of immigration to California in 1849?

a)

Discovery of oil.

b)

The Mexican-American War.

c)

The discovery of gold.

d)

The fur trade.

5.

Which treaty concluded the Mexican-American War?

a)

Treaty of Ghent.

b)

Treaty of Paris.

c)

Treaty of Versailles.

d)

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.

6.

Where did the Mormons ultimately settle?

a)

New York.

b)

Indiana.

c)

Utah.

d)

Texas.

7.

When was Texas annexed by the United States?

a)

1845.

b)

1846.

c)

1848.

d)

1836.

8.

What was the Trail of Tears?

a)

A route across the Great Plains.

b)

Forced movement of Native-Americans from the southeastern U.S.

c)

A term for gold seekers in 1849.

d)

A boundary line between territories.

9.
Which of these Native American people were NOT on the Trail of Tears?
a)
Chickasaw
b)
Navajo
c)
Cherokee
d)
Creek
10.

What event triggered the start of the Mexican-American War?

a)

When Mexican troops fired on American troops at the disputed Texas border

b)

When American troops allied with Mexico

c)

When James K. Polk officially declared war on Mexico

d)

When Mexico invaded the U.S. to claim Texas

11.

What was the primary reason the United States went to war with Mexico in 1846?

a)

To stop Mexican raids into Texas

b)

To acquire more land for westward expansion

c)

To gain control of the Mississippi River

d)

To support independence movements in South America

12.
Which part of the country was the Mexican Cession in?
a)
Northeastern U.S.
b)
Southeastern U.S.
c)
Northwestern U.S.
d)
Southwestern U.S.
13.

Which territory was NOT acquired as a result of the Mexican-American War?

a)

Arizona

b)

Nevada

c)

Oregon

d)

New Mexico

14.

Why was the California Gold Rush significant to westward expansion?

a)

It led to the establishment of the first universities in the West.

b)

It significantly increased the population of California, leading to its statehood.

c)

It was the first time gold was discovered in the United States.

d)

It marked the end of Native American resistance in the West.

15.

Religious leader Joseph Smith founded the ____________________ in 1830. They moved out west because people did not accept their religious beliefs.

a)

Oregon Trail

b)

Sam Houston

c)

Mormons

d)

Wilmot Proviso

16.
Why were Spanish officials worried about the number of Americans settling in Texas?
a)
They feared that Americans would outnumber Spaniards and eventually take control of the territory.
b)
They were concerned that Americans would turn the Native Americans away from the Catholic Church.
c)
They thought that Texas would become overpopulated.
d)
They were convinced that Americans would attempt to enslave Spanish citizens.
17.

Nickname for the independent country of Texas.

a)

Lone Star Republic

b)

Gopher State Republic

c)

Bear Flag Republic

d)

Republic of Remember the Alamo

18.

What territory did the United States acquire from Spain in 1819?

a)

Louisiana

b)

Alaska

c)

Florida

d)

California

19.

What was the main economic activity that drove early settlers to Oregon?

a)

Fur trading

b)

Gold mining

c)

Cotton farming

d)

Whaling

20.

Which U.S. President was in office during the acquisition of the Oregon Territory?

a)

Andrew Jackson

b)

James K. Polk

c)

Abraham Lincoln

d)

Thomas Jefferson

21.

How did the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo affect the territorial boundaries of the United States?

a)

It ceded the Florida territory to the U.S.

b)

It resulted in the U.S. acquiring Alaska.

c)

It expanded U.S. territory to include parts of present-day Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.

d)

It established the boundary between the U.S. and British Canada.

22.

What is the name of the road Daniel Boone carved out through the Appalachian Mountains?

a)

Boone's Road

b)

Wilderness Road

c)

Cumberland Road

d)

Wild Road

23.

Identify advantages of steamboats.

a)

Can travel against current up river

b)

Easier to travel through mountains

c)

Cheaper than traveling by land

d)

Increased trade and settlement

24.

What is the name of the man-made waterway that connects Lake Erie to the Hudson River and then to the Atlantic Ocean

a)
Panama Canal
b)
Buffalo River
c)
Niagara Falls
d)
Erie Canal
25.
What was the Erie Canal used for?
a)
Disney cruises
b)
Test battle ships
c)
Drinking water for the city of Buffalo
d)
Ship goods faster and cheaper to the Atlantic Ocean
26.

What was the primary purpose of the National Road?

a)

To facilitate postal service delivery

b)

To connect Eastern cities with Western territories

c)

To serve as a trade route for Native American tribes

d)

To act as a defensive line in military operations

27.

Which city marked the western terminus of the National Road by 1850?

a)

Baltimore, Maryland

b)

Columbus, Ohio

c)

Vandalia, Illinois

d)

St. Louis, Missouri

28.

How did the Seminole Wars impact the Native American population in Florida?

a)

Increased migration of Native Americans to Florida.

b)

Significant reduction in the Seminole population.

c)

Strengthened Seminole control over Florida.

d)

No significant impact on the Seminole population.