Chapter 12
Sections 1-4
1) What was Manifest Destiny?
Manifest Destiny is the idea that the United States was meant to extend its borders from the atlantic ocean to the pacific ocean.
2) The Oregon Territory consisted of what area? Who claimed it?
The huge area that lay between the pacific ocean and the rocky mts. north of california. it included what is now washington oregon idaho and parts of wyoming and montana. The united states, great britain spain and russia claimed it.
3) Who were the Mountain Men?
Fur traders
4) Why was the Oregon Trail important?
It provided a pathway for settlers to go to the west.
5) Discuss the meaning behind the slogan "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight"?
It said get oregon or fight basically.
6) James Polk made what promises to the American public during the election of 1844 (list four - you might need to look up on the internet).
He supported the american's sole ownership of oregon.
7) Discuss how Texas became independent.
They wanted the be independent because they felt they had been deprived of freedom of religion, the right to trial by a jury, the right to bear arms, and the right to petition.
8) Discuss the battles of The Alamo and San Jacinto.
We knew we were going to loose the alamo, but they stood strong and fought as best as they could. Texans fought 900 against 1300 yelling "remember the alamo?!" They won the battle and officially became independent.
9) How long did it take the U.S. to annex Texas? Why?
It took about ten years. Because the United States had to agree to let in a slave state.
10) How did the Mexican-American War start? Why did it start? Was it a "Just War"?
American settlement in the southwest led to conflict with Mexico. The Americans wanted California to be part of the country because they felt there would be a safe border around the country. It was unjust because they pretty much just wanted more land and took it by force.
11) What was the American response to the war?
The North didn't like it and the Democrats in the South did like it.
12) List the major battles of the war.
Buena Vista feb. 1847, Monterrey sept. 1846, Mexico City sept. 1847, Santa Fe aug. 1846, Bear Flag Revolt june 1846
13) What was the cost of the war?
The war cost nearly $100,000,000 to fight. An additional $25,000,000 was paid for land.
14) Why was the California Gold Rush important?
There was great economic growth. Miners were getting new pure gold and it was a great time for murchants to sell anything for whatever they wanted.
15) Answer the following questions on page 380 - #6 - #10, #13-#15.
6. They would co-exist
7. He didn't want the unbalance of slave/non-slave states
8. They wanted a safe border around the country and more trade over sea would be possible.
9. We wanted their land and they didn't agree to our offer to buy it so we took it.
10.They could charge whatever they wanted to the miners.
13. We got California, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona Texas, Utah and Colorado
14. They didn't like it.
15. In the Oregon Country they co-existed, with the Mexicans, we went to war and killed them...
