Deck 13: Western Expansion and Southern Secession, 1830-1861

Question 1

Support for the Mexican-American War was strongest in New England.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Henry Clay was the Democratic presidential candidate in 1844.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

David Crockett was not a real person but purely a fictional character.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Zachary Taylor's decisive victory at the Battle of Buena Vista led to an immediate Mexican surrender.

Question 5

The author of Uncle Tom's Cabin was Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Question 6

President Martin Van Buren failed to win the Democratic party's nomination to run for a second term due to his position in Texas.

Question 7

California entered the Union as a free state.

Question 8

The proposed Lecompton Constitution would make Kansas a free state.

Question 9

Mexico initially banned all American settlement in Texas.

Question 10

The outbreak of the Mexican-American War was caused by the dispute over Oregon.

Question 11

All the western Indian tribes eventually felt the unrelenting pressure of white expansion and conquest.

Question 12

William Henry Harrison died one month after his inauguration as president.

Question 13

James Buchanan's great experience in public service helped him become one of the most successful presidents.

Question 14

The Republican party was created in 1854 by the merger of several anti-slavery groups.

Question 15

There were more than 200 different Indian tribes west of the Mississippi River in 1840.

Question 16

James K.Polk won the 1844 election without a majority of the popular vote.

Question 17

John Tyler favored Henry Clay's American System.

Question 18

Congress never passed the Wilmot Proviso.

Question 19

The Pottawatomie Massacre was part of the conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces in Kansas.

Question 20

Mexico's winning of independence from Spain slowed American expansion westward.

Question 21

The Battle of the Alamo in Texas was

A)a victory for the United States.
B)a victory for the Texians.
C)a victory for Tejanos.
D)a defeat for the Mexican army.
E)a defeat for the Texians.

Question 22

The president of the United States at the time both Oregon and California were officially acquired was

A)James K.Polk.
B)William H.Harrison.
C)John Tyler.
D)Martin Van Buren.
E)James Buchanan.

Question 23

All of the following groups suffered as a result of manifest destiny except

A)the French.
B)Native Americans.
C)Hispanics.
D)Spaniards.
E)the British.

Question 24

The majority of those who chose to emigrate to Texas in the first half of the 19th century were

A)Americans from northern states.
B)free persons of color.
C)people from Central Europe.
D)southerners and their slaves.
E)those called Tejanos.

Question 25

Manifest destiny was based on the notion of the United States spreading both _____________________ and _______________ westward.

A)Catholicism,freedom
B)monarchy,capitalism
C)Christianity,capitalism
D)Protestantism,monarchy
E)aristocracy,socialism

Question 26

The "Oregon Country" that Americans coveted included all what would become the following states except

A)Oregon.
B)Idaho.
C)Oklahoma.
D)Washington.
E)Montana.

Question 27

Which of the following statements about the American military during the Mexican-American War is correct?

A)The American military was well prepared for the conflict.
B)Casualties on the side of the United States were minimal.
C)Blacks were banned from military service.
D)Naval officer Robert F.Stockton occupied Mexico City.
E)Andrew Jackson came out of retirement to lead the fight.

Question 28

The states of the Deep South did not secede from the Union until Lincoln took office.

Question 29

Through his execution,John Brown became a martyr for the anti-slavery cause.

Question 30

Which statement regarding the settlement of California in the 19th century is true?

A)The California territory had a large British population.
B)The French held California until 1821.
C)As whites moved into California the native population dropped drastically.
D)Spain fought the United States to keep California.
E)California had largely been explored by Protestant missionaries.

Question 31

President James K.Polk stated that the immediate cause of the Mexican-American War was

A)Mexico's invasion of American territory.
B)the issue of slavery.
C)rampant corruption in the Mexican government.
D)tariffs.
E)money owed to the United States by Mexico.

Question 32

Which of the following statements regarding the Mexican-American War is incorrect?

A)More American soldiers died in battle than from disease.
B)The United States received California.
C)The United States received New Mexico.
D)Mexico gave up all claims to Texas north of the Rio Grande.
E)The United States agreed to pay Mexico $15 million.

Question 33

During his senatorial run against Douglas,Lincoln stated his belief in racial equality.

Question 34

The Republican platform in 1860 promised to end slavery in the southern states.

Question 35

President James K.Polk stated that the immediate cause of the Mexican-American War was

A)Mexico's invasion of American territory.
B)the issue of slavery.
C)rampant corruption in the Mexican government.
D)tariffs.
E)money owed to the United States by Mexico.

Question 36

Which statement regarding President James K.Polk is not true?

A)He was a firm believer in the idea of manifest destiny.
B)His nickname was "Young Hickory."
C)He was a member of the Democratic Party.
D)He opposed western expansion into California.
E)He was the first "dark horse" candidate to win a major party nomination.

Question 37

In his first inaugural address,President Lincoln said: "I am loath to close.We are not enemies,but friends.We must not be enemies.Though passion may have strained,it must not break our bonds of affection."

Question 38

In 1857,the majority of the population in Kansas was anti-slavery.

Question 39

_______________________ coined the term manifest destiny in _________________.

A)John L.O'Sullivan,1830
B)James K.Polk,1845
C)John C.Calhoun,1841
D)James K.Polk,1830
E)John L.O'Sullivan,1845

Question 40

Which of the following statements regarding westward expansion after 1830 is not accurate?

A)Southerners were not in the least bit interested in moving west.
B)Southerners wanted to expand slavery westward.
C)Southerners feared a loss of political influence if slavery did not spread west.
D)The spread of slavery west was controversial.
E)People went west looking for economic opportunities.

Question 41

Which of the following statements regarding the Wilmot Proviso is untrue?

A)David Wilmot was a Democrat from Pennsylvania.
B)David Wilmot was a member of the House of Representatives.
C)Wilmot proposed slavery should be banned in any territory acquired from the war with Mexico.
D)The proviso passed the House of Representatives.
E)The proviso passed the Senate.

Question 42

The treaty that ended the Mexican-American War was

A)the Treaty of Paris.
B)the Treaty of Ghent.
C)the Treaty of San Jacinto.
D)the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
E)the Treaty of Buena Vista.

Question 43

The Mexican-American War was opposed by all of the following except?

A)William Lloyd Garrison
B)John Quincy Adams
C)Henry David Thoreau
D)Zachary Taylor
E)Abraham Lincoln

Question 44

Which president acquired the most territory in the history of the United States?

A)Thomas Jefferson
B)James K.Polk
C)Andrew Jackson
D)Martin Van Buren
E)Franklin Pierce

Question 45

The Free-Soil coalition believed

A)slavery should be abolished everywhere.
B)slavery should be excluded from the western territories.
C)slavery should be expanded.
D)the federal government should give land to those in need.
E)Native Americans should be given free land to compensate for the wrongs done to them.

Question 46

The Mexican-American War officially ended in

A)1835.
B)1836.
C)1846.
D)1847.
E)1848.

Question 47

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

A)made runaway slaves free.
B)was supported by abolitionists.
C)was used many,many times.
D)was not controversial.
E)could be used to punish those who helped runaway slaves.

Question 48

As a result of the Mexican-American War the United States acquired all of the following future states except

A)Nevada.
B)North Dakota.
C)Utah.
D)Arizona.
E)Wyoming.

Question 49

The United States army under __________________ captured ________________ in March 1847.

A)Winfield Scott,Mexico City
B)Winfield Scott,Buena Vista
C)John C.Fremont,New Mexico
D)Robert Stockton,Sonoma
E)Robert Stockton,Mexico City

Question 50

The gold rush to ___________________ in ________________ was the greatest mass migration in American history.

A)Texas,1845
B)Utah,1841
C)California,1848
D)California,1845
E)California,1850

Question 51

Zachary Taylor was all of the following except

A)a southerner.
B)a Whig.
C)a slave owner.
D)a man who wanted California to enter the Union as free.
E)an abolitionist.

Question 52

What two new parties filled the gap left by the death of the Whigs in the 1850s?

A)The Free-Soil party and the Know-Nothings
B)The Know-Nothings and the American party
C)The American party and the Republicans
D)The Democrats and the Federalists
E)The Free-Soil party and the Democrats

Question 53

According to your textbook "Bleeding Kansas" was

A)a rehearsal for civil war.
B)a brief spate of violence.
C)a medical problem.
D)a cause for the Mexican-American War.
E)inconsequential.

Question 54

All of the following were fronts during the Mexican-American War except

A)California.
B)Oregon.
C)Central Mexico.
D)New Mexico.
E)Southern Texas.

Question 55

_____________________ is the notion that citizens of a territory should regulate the existence of slavery just like the citizens of a state.

A)Popular sovereignty
B)Slave codes
C)Black codes
D)Judicial review
E)Congressional oversight

Question 56

After the end of the Mexican-American War,Senator John C.Calhoun of South Carolina made the claim that _____________________ protected the institution of slavery.

A)popular sovereignty
B)judicial review
C)the First Amendment
D)the Fifth Amendment
E)the Thirteenth Amendment

Question 57

Which of the following statements regarding the Mexican-American War is most accurate?

A)All Americans supported the Mexican-American War.
B)The vast majority of Americans opposed the Mexican-American War.
C)The Mexican-American War was imperialistic.
D)The Mexican-American War was not motivated by racism.
E)The Mexican-American War was not motivated by slavery.

Question 58

The final version of the Compromise of 1850 included all of the following except which?

A)The sale of slaves would end in the District of Columbia.
B)The sale of slaves would end in the state of Washington.
C)California would be a free state.
D)The Utah territory was set up.
E)The New Mexico territory was set up.

Question 59

In the presidential election of 1848,a third party called the ________________ ran _______________.

A)Whigs,Zachary Taylor
B)Democrats,Lewis Cass
C)Free-Soil party,Millard Fillmore
D)Free-Soil party,Stephen Douglas
E)Democrats,Henry Clay

Question 60

The Kansas-Nebraska Act

A)supported the repeal of the Missouri Compromise.
B)made Kansas and Nebraska both free states.
C)made Kansas and Nebraska both slave states.
D)was passed in 1850.
E)was a part of the Compromise of 1850.

Question 61

Who was the president of the Confederate States of America?

A)John C.Calhoun
B)James Buchanan
C)Alexander H.Stephens
D)Jefferson Davis
E)David Wilmot

Question 62

All of the following slave states seceded by February 1861 except

A)Florida.
B)Mississippi.
C)Missouri.
D)Alabama.
E)Georgia.

Question 63

When he won the presidency,Abraham Lincoln carried ___________ slave states in the Electoral College.

A)0
B)1
C)2
D)5
E)7

Question 64

Abraham Lincoln was elected in _______________ 1860 and took office in ______________________ 1861.

A)October,January
B)November,January
C)December,January
D)November,February
E)November,March

Question 65

Which of the following statements regarding the state of South Carolina is incorrect?

A)Historically it was the strongest proponent of states' rights.
B)It was the birthplace of nullifier John C.Calhoun.
C)South Carolina was willing to work with President Lincoln.
D)South Carolina was the third wealthiest state in the Union.
E)South Carolina was committed to protecting slavery.

Question 66

Lincoln's home state,___________________ was a ____________ state.

A)Illinois,free
B)Vermont,free
C)Texas,slave
D)Louisiana,slave
E)Pennsylvania,free

Question 67

Which statement regarding the presidency of James Buchanan is incorrect?

A)James Buchanan was a member of the Democratic party.
B)James Buchanan was our first unmarried president.
C)James Buchanan was committed to states' rights.
D)James Buchanan wanted to appease the South to save the Union.
E)James Buchanan did not believe in westward expansion.

Question 68

The first shots of the Civil War

A)were fired by Virginians.
B)were fired by South Carolinians.
C)were fired in Kansans.
D)were fired in Pennsylvanians.
E)were fired in Georgians.

Question 69

___________________ became a free state in 1861.

A)California
B)Kansas
C)Nebraska
D)Texas
E)Louisiana

Question 70

What party split in the presidential election of 1860?

A)The Democrats
B)The Republicans
C)The Whigs
D)The Know-Nothing party
E)The Free-Soil party

Question 71

Among Texas,California,and Oregon,which territory did America have the best claim to? In which was it worst? Explain the reasoning behind your conclusions.

Question 72

Who was the only elected president to be denied re-nomination by his own party?

A)James Buchanan
B)Franklin Pierce
C)James K.Polk
D)Millard Fillmore
E)Zachary Taylor

Question 73

Which statement regarding the Supreme Court decision in Dred Scott v.Sanford is incorrect?

A)The Court said slaves were not American citizens.
B)The Court said Scott lacked legal standing.
C)Chief Justice Roger Taney wrote the majority opinion.
D)The Court said Scott should go free.
E)The Court said the Missouri Compromise was unconstitutional.

Question 74

The first man to run for president under the banner of the Republican party was

A)John C.Fremont.
B)James Buchanan.
C)Stephen Douglas.
D)Abraham Lincoln.
E)Franklin Pierce.

Question 75

In his inaugural address,Abraham Lincoln

A)promised to end slavery everywhere.
B)promised to punish the South.
C)made the declaration of war.
D)declared secession illegal.
E)promised to expand slavery.

Question 76

In response to the secession of South Carolina,James Buchanan

A)raised troops.
B)issued serious threats.
C)supplied Fort Sumter.
D)reached out to the southerners in his cabinet.
E)did nothing.

Question 77

Which statement regarding "Bleeding Kansas" is correct?

A)Abolitionists killed pro-slavery forces in Lawrence,Kansas.
B)Pro-slavery forces killed abolitionists in the Pottawatomie Massacre.
C)John Brown supported slavery.
D)The people of Kansas killed each other over whether the state would be free or slave.
E)More than 5,000 people died during "Bleeding Kansas."

Question 78

Explain the phrase manifest destiny.What factors were most important in drawing Americans to the West,both mentally and physically?

Question 79

Which statement regarding the Crittenden Compromise is untrue?

A)The plan was put forward by a southerner.
B)The plan proposed an extension of the Missouri Compromise line.
C)The plan protected slavery where it already existed.
D)The plan was initially proposed in late 1860.
E)The Compromise passed the Senate.

Question 80

John Brown's Raid was an attack on _________________ in _____________.

A)Harper's Ferry,Virginia;1854
B)Harper's Ferry,Virginia;1855
C)Harper's Ferry,Virginia;1857
D)Harper's Ferry,Virginia;1858
E)Harper's Ferry,Virginia;1859