Deck 14: Western Expansion and the Rise of the Slaveryissue

Question 1

The chapter introduction tells the story of the Sioux migration to the Great Plains to make the point that

A) the American ideology of Manifest Destiny meant manifest destruction for tribal cultures.
B) Mexican advancement northward, as well as Anglo-American advancement westward, put pressure on the Plains tribes.
C)frontiers were multidimensional and mobile, involved a variety of peoples and cultures, and ultimately
proved as disruptive to the settled East as to the contested West.
D)the United States not only had to resort to war and diplomacy to expand its borders, it also had to cope
within its borders with native peoples who attacked the emigrants on the Overland Trail.

Answer 1

frontiers were multidimensional and mobile, involved a variety of peoples and cultures, and ultimately
proved as disruptive to the settled East as to the contested West.

Question 2

The trek west on the Overland Trail

A) followed Lewis and Clark's route across the plains; and established agricultural societies that were
deliberately different from those in the East.
B) evidenced traditional gender roles despite women's quest to act like men; and once in the West, the
emigrants developed a new frontier society where women had little influence.
C) was difficult and stressful on everyone involved, but placed a special strain on women.
D) was plagued by periodic attacks by hostile Indians, but the U.S. government refused to provide a
military presence before the Civil War.

Answer 2

was difficult and stressful on everyone involved, but placed a special strain on women.

Question 3

Which of the following was NOT one of the three harbors on the Pacific that President Polk wished to claim from Britain and Mexico?

A) Puget Sound
B) San Francisco
C) Santa Cruz
D) San Diego

Answer 3

Santa Cruz

Question 4

In the U.S.-Mexican War, what military technological advantage did the U.S. army posses that tipped the balance in several crucial engagements?

A) light artillery
B) the paper cartridge
C) heavy cannons
D) repeating rifles

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT an accurate statement concerning the consequences of the U.S.-Mexican War?

A) The United States purchased California and the interior Southwest from Mexico.
B) The acquisition of new territories pushed the slavery issue to the forefront of national politics.
C) The war temporarily unified the country as both parties and all sections supported President Polk and approved the war effort.
DA proposal was introduced in Congress to ban slavery in any new territory. Though it never passed, the . idea became central to the antislavery movement in the 1850s.

Question 6

A group of American settlers near Sacramento launched a revolt against Mexico; and in June 1846 they proclaimed California an independent republic. This action was the

A) "Bear Flag Revolt."
B) Golden State Secession.
C) opening shot of the U.S.-Mexican War.
D) "second Alamo."

Question 7

As settlers arrived in the far West, churches were not immediately established. Why?

A) Most settlers of the far West were not very religious.
B) Very few ministers were among the new settlers.
C) Population densities were too low.
D) Many of the initial settlers belonged to sects that believed in "home worship."

Question 8

In what river did James Marshall find the first gold that was to start the California gold rush?

A) Sacramento River
B) American River
C) Feather River
D) Pit River

Question 9

What city experienced explosive growth as a result of the gold rush in California?

A) Saint Louis
B) Sacramento
C) Salt Lake City
D) San Francisco

Question 10

Why did many of the immigrant Chinese work in small businesses or the fishing industry instead of working as miners?

A) They had greater experience with small businesses and fishing.
B) They were not harassed as much as in the gold fields.
C) The income was more steady, and they would be able to pay off their debts sooner.
D) All these answers are correct.

Question 11

As the frontier, and Anglos, moved further and further west, Mexicans who already lived in this "new" territory had to adapt by

A) conforming to Anglo customs and culture.
B) taking seasonal work.
C) becoming principally urban, especially in California.
D) All these answers are correct.

Question 12

During what time-period did the Sioux Indians expand westward onto the Great Plains? Discuss at least two factors that helped them expand.

Question 13

List three issues that led to friction between Americans in Texas and the Mexican government before independence. How did each one increase tensions? Was one more important than the others?

Question 14

Trace the events that led to the war with Mexico. How did American actions contribute to the outbreak of war? How did Mexican actions contribute?

Question 15

Congress had to decide how to deal with the issue of slavery in the territory it acquired after the U.S.-Mexican War. Describe the four options proposed for dealing with the issue.

Question 16

List the provisions of the Compromise of 1850. Which provisions favored the North? Which ones favored the South?

Question 17

Identify at least three events that contributed to the rise of the slavery issue in American politics in the 1840s. Why did each one have this effect?

Question 18

Why is it misleading to focus on the frontier only as the westward movement of whites? Discuss the experiences of the Sioux, the Chinese, and the Mexican residents of the borderlands in answering this question.

Question 19

Describe the doctrine of Manifest Destiny. Why did it arise in the 1840s?

Question 20

Compare and contrast the development of Salt Lake City and San Francisco. What accounts for the differences between the two cities?

Question 21

Why wasn't the Compromise of 1850 a true sectional compromise? How did this fact weaken compromise in the future?
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