Westward expansion Study guide

Chapter 9

 the Mexican government banned slavery and American immigration in hopes of driving Americans out of Texas

False

The Bear Flag Revolt lead to California becoming part of the United States

False

Many Northerners oppose adding Texas to the U.S. because they feared it would give Southern states more political power

True

When Texas became part of the United States, the U.S. claimed the border was the Rio Grande River, while Mexico argued it was the Nueces River.

False

John Deere invented the steel plow, which helped farmers break up tough soil in the Great Plains.

True

 Before the 1850s, more travelers on the Oregon Trail died from disease than Native American attacks

True

 The Mexican government offered a one-year tax break to encourage Americans to settle in Texas?

True 

Why did many Americans living in Texas disagree with the Mexican government in the 1830s?

They opposed the attempt to end slavery in texas.

The Oregon Country stretched from.

Northern California to Alaska’s southern border.

What did the phrase Manifest Destiny mean in the 1840s?

The U.S. would one day stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

The wide grasslands between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains are called

The Great Plains.

What were the fur traders who explored the Rocky Mountains in search of beaver pelts called?

Mountain men.

What was the most important resource for the Plains Indians?

 The buffalo.

The famous battle cry "Remember the Alamo" became a symbol of which conflict?

The War of Independence.

What was one of the biggest challenges on the Oregon Trail?

Crossing mountains and rivers,expensive costs,and dangerous conditions.

 People from which region generally supported Texas becoming part of the U.S.?

The South

 Which two groups lived on the Great Plains before American settlers arrived?

Indians and Spanish.

 What is the term for a person living on land they do not own?

Squatter.

What was one of the main reasons Americans began moving to the Great Plains?

Increase population back east.

Which proposal was introduced to prohibit slavery in the new territories gained from Mexico?

The Wilmot Proviso.

What land did the United States acquire after winning the war with Mexico?

The Mexican Cession.

What was President Polk trying to persuade Congress to do in his 1846 speech?

 Declare war on Mexico.

Which U.S. Congressman publicly challenged President Polk's reasons for starting the war with Mexico?

Abraham Lincoln.

What was the name of the land purchase that finalized the U.S. border with Mexico?

The Gadsden Purchase.

Who became the leader of the Mormon community after Joseph Smith's death?

Brigham Young.

What was the primary reason Americans traveled to California in 1849?

Gold Discovery

What slogan did James K. Polk use in his campaign regarding the Oregon Territory dispute?

”Fifty-four forty or fight”

What agreement officially ended the Mexican-American War?

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

What territory was claimed by both the U.S. and Britain before being divided at the 49th parallel?

Oregon country 

What trail did the Mormons follow to escape religious persecution?

Mormon trail

What name was given to prospectors who traveled to California during the Gold Rush

forty-niners