Ch. 12 Questions

1) What was Manifest Destiny?

They thought that white-americans had the right to all terriotry. Even if it was being used by natives. 

2) The Oregon Territory consisted of what area? Who claimed it?Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and parts of Montana and Wyoming.

United States, Great Britain, Spain, and Russia. 

3) Who were the Mountain Men?

They were the first americans to reach the Oregon coast. They spent most of their time in the Rocky Mountains. They were were trappers. 

4) Why was the Oregon Trail important?

The depression in 1837 hit the Mississippi valley hard. It started the Oregon Fever. Tens of thousands of people migrated 2,000 miles to Oregon on the Oregon trail.

5) Discuss the meaning behind the slogan "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight"?

It was James K. Polk's slogan for his democratic campaign. It refereed to the line of latitude that the democrats believed should be the nations northern border in Oregon. 

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).

- Acquire California from Mexico- Retire from office after only 4 years - Lower taxes
-Take the Oregon territory

7) Discuss how Texas became independent.

In 1835, Texas grew restless, and they wanted their independence. Santa Anna sent an army into Texas to punish them for criticizing him. After long months of battleing back and forth, in december he texans took control of a largerr Mexican force. In 1844 when James Polk made Texas officially a state. 

8) Discuss the battles of The Alamo and San Jacinto.

The Alamo

The Texans, led by Davy Crocket, Jim Bowie, and William, didn't have a lot of gunpowder, and had only 180 soldiers. The Mexicans on the other hand were well equipped, with a lot of soldiers. Some men from the mexican side joined the texan side. In 1836 Mexican cannons fired down the Alamo's wall. The Texans only lasted 12 days. 

San Jacinto 

In april the texans had a surprise attack on the Mexians. They signed a treaty in May to recognize the independence of texas. 

9) How long did it take the U.S. to annex Texas? Why?

It took 8 years, because Jackson thought another slave state would upset the ratios of free to slave states. 

10) How did the Mexican-American War start? Why did it start? Was it a "Just War"?

The Americans built a fort on Mexican land. 


11) What was the American response to the war?

 -They were split between support and opposition on the war

 -Some called the war unfounded

 -Others thought that it was Manifest Destiny working

12) List the major battles of the war.

-Battle for Monterrey

-Battle for Mexico City

-Battle for Buena Vista

13) What was the cost of the war?

125 Million 


14) Why was the California Gold Rush important?

It boosted the economy, made the population bigger, and led mormons to Utah and religious freedom. 

15) Answer the following questions on page 380 - #6 - #10, #13-#15.

6) They made the boundary on the 49th latitude line. 

7) The addition of another slave state would upset the ratios of free to slave states.

8) The border on the east and west side would be the ocean instead of a foreign country. 

9) Mexico refused to sell California. 

10) They had no other place to get supplies. So they charged a lot for their goods. 

13) They states almost doubled in size by adding California, New Mexico, and Texas. plus more...
14) They didn't like it. 
15) Britain and the US could compromise. And the Mexican-American war, did not want to compromise.