Land
This 1845 event added a large republic that entered the Union as a slave state and led to a border dispute with Mexico; name the event
Texas annexation
People who rushed to California after gold was discovered in 1848 were commonly called what?
Forty-Niners
The Louisiana Purchase (1803) was acquired from which country?
France
Name one major economic motivation for settlers moving west
Land (cheap and abundant), gold/economic opportunity, religion
When is Miss Pittman's graduation day?
May 9th
Name the river the United States claimed as the southern border of Texas, which helped spark conflict with Mexico
The Rio Grande.
Which 1848 treaty ended the Mexican-American War and set the Rio Grande as the border with Texas?
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
Which 1853 purchase added land useful for building a southern transcontinental railroad?
Gadsden Purchase (from Mexico)
Which religious group used a trail to escape persecution and founded Salt Lake City?
Mormons
What should all Americans remember?
The Alamo
In 1846 the U.S. and Britain compromised on the northern boundary of the Oregon Territory at this parallel of latitude.
The 49th parallel
Name one major political issue that intensified after the U.S. gained new territories from Mexico
Slavery expansion
Give two examples of territorial acquisitions shown on the slides besides the Mexican Cession and Texas Annexation.
Oregon Country treaty with Britain (1846), Louisiana Purchase (1803), Gadsden Purchase (1853).
Two important inventions made farming and harvesting easier for westward settlers. Name either one and its inventor.
Steel plow — John Deere; Mechanical reaper — Cyrus McCormick.
What is Miss Pittman'a favorite food?
Pasta
The 1853 purchase from Mexico that provided land for a southern transcontinental railroad route and finalized the U.S.-Mexico southern border is named what?
Gadsden Purchase
Explain briefly how the Mexican Cession contributed to sectional tensions between North and South in the U.S
The Mexican Cession reopened the debate over slavery in new territories, upsetting the balance between free and slave states and increasing sectional conflict
Who was president in 1844 whose expansion platform included annexing Texas, gaining Oregon, and acquiring California?
James K. Polk.
Give two hardships pioneers commonly faced on long overland trails
Examples: getting trapped by winter snows, attacks/conflicts with Native Americans, long travel times (4–5 months), disease or food shortages.
Who was the President of Texas?
Sam Houston
After the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the U.S. gained a vast region including California and much of the Southwest. What is the common name for this land acquisition?
The Mexican Cession
What land did America gain through a $15 million purchase, who was the President at the time, and why did we want this land?
Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson, to divide land south and to increase farming to help the economy
Describe the significance of the Gadsden Purchase for U.S. transportation goals.
It provided land for a southern transcontinental railroad route and settled the southern border.
Tell the story of the Donner Party in one or two sentences and explain what it demonstrates about westward migration.
The Donner Party took a shortcut, became trapped in the Sierra Nevada with little food, and some survivors resorted to cannibalism; it shows how dangerous and unpredictable overland migration could be.
Varied answers