Territories
How did the U.S. acquire the Oregon Territory from Great Britain?
The two countries signed a treaty dividing the land in half at the 49th Parallel.
What year was Florida added to the U.S.?
1819
Why did the Mormons settle in Utah in the 1800s?
The Mormons were looking for a new place to worship their faith freely
How were the Chinese treated during the Gold Rush?
They were discriminated against.
What was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?
Mexico gave up half of its territory to the United States.
What year was Texas annexed?
1845
Who were the mountain men?
Mountain men explored the Oregon territory in search of furs. They created paths for future pioneers.
What was life like for a Forty-Niner in California during the Gold Rush? Identify at least two hardships people faced.
When the first settlers arrived, there were few towns and “modern” conveniences. They were left to survive in the wilderness on their own until towns and cities were created.
In addition, it proved to be very difficult to find gold and only a few lucky people became rich.
Buying goods was also extremely expensive because settlers had no other choices of places to buy products.
What was the Gadsden Purchase?
The Gadsden Purchase was acquired by the United States from Mexico in 1853 for $10 million in order to build a railroad line in the region.
What was the Erie Canal?
The Erie Canal was a waterway that spread across 363 miles and used to transport goods and people from one place to another.
Why did many pioneers want to move to Texas?
To grow cotton
What happened after Mexico refused President Polk’s request to purchase California and New Mexico?
Mexico fired upon American troops, so Polk declares war against Mexico.
Where did the United States want to set the border between American and Mexican territory?
The Rio Grande River
In what state was Moses Austin granted land in 1821?
Moses Austin was given permission from Spain to settle in Texas in 1821.
Who was the leader of the American army that marched troops into Mexico capturing the capital, Mexico City?
Zachary Taylor
Describe at least two impacts that the idea of “Manifest Destiny” had on people and lands of North America.
expansion of American settlers in the West,
increased American cities,
farms and towns in the West,
expansion of railroad lines in the West,
mistreatment and conflict of American Indians peoples and other peoples living in the West,
increased debate over slavery as it expanded into the Western territories.
What happened at the Alamo?
On March 6, 1836, General Santa Anna ordered his troops to storm the Alamo. 90 minutes later, the battle was over and the Alamo was lost. Every single one of the Alamo defenders was killed.
What was built from Maryland to Illinois to help connect eastern states to new territories in the West?
The National Road
What happened after Andrew Jackson invaded Florida?
After Jackson invaded Florida, Spain gave up their claims without fighting. The U.S. gave $5 million to compensate landowners, and agreed to not challenge Spain’s rights to Texas.
Explain how the events of April 25, 1846 along the Rio Grande led to the start of a war between the United States and Mexico.
To Mexico, the Texans had not truly gained their independence. The Mexican government had intended to send more troops at a later date to bring the Texans back under Mexican control.
Mexico and the U.S. couldn’t agree on the border between Texas and Mexico. Mexico believed the border to be the Nueces River. The United States said that the border was 150 south at the Rio Grande.
On April 25, 1846, Mexican troops fired upon American troops who were patrolling along the Rio Grande. President Polk seized on the skirmish and Congress soon declared war against Mexico.