chapter 12

Question 1

Manifest Destiny

Answer 1

the belief that the U.S. has a divine mission to expand their power and civilization

Question 2

what was the significance of the Oregon trail?

Answer 2

the Oregon trail was significant as it facilitated the migration of thousands of Americans to settle in the fertile Willamette Valley

Question 3

what was the election of 1844 impact on westward expansion?

Answer 3

the 1844 election resulted in James K. Polks victory, interpreted as a mandate for the annexation of Texas and the expansion of U.S. territory

Question 4

President Tyler- annexation of texas

Answer 4

Tyler pushed for the annexation of texas by using joint resolution approach to bypass the Senate’s treaty requirements

Question 5

role of Democratic party in expansionist movement

Answer 5

supported expansionist policies and viewed territorial gains as means to promote democracy (popular sovereignty for slavery a.k.a. they wanted more slavery)

Question 6

Wilmot Proviso and the civil war

Answer 6

was seen as a precursor to the civil war, symbolizing the growing divide over the issue of slavery in New territories

Question 7

Wilmot Proviso

Answer 7

bill to forbid slavery in New territories, passed house twice but was rejected by senate

Question 8

Polks approach to Oregon dispute

Answer 8

compromised with Britain to divide Oregon on the 49th parallel

Question 9

Mexican Cession

Answer 9

land won from Mexican American war that led to debates about slavery expansion, tensions fueled civil war

Question 10

Northern opposition to annexation texas

Answer 10

fear Texas would expand slavery and increase southern political power

Question 11

what factors fueled westward expansion in 1840s?

Answer 11

nationalism, population increase, economic development, technological advances, and reform ideals

Question 12

Bear flag revolt

Answer 12

rebellion by American settlers in California in 1846, declaring independence from mexico

Question 13

Kanagawa Treaty (1854)

Answer 13

opened Japan to U.S. trade, marking a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy and expanding American influence in Asia

Question 14

Mining Frontier

Answer 14

rapid population influxes due to gold and silver discoveries, leading to the establishment of transient mining towns

Question 15

Webster- Ashburton Treaty

Answer 15

settled boundary disputes between U.S. and british canada, including the division of territory in Maine

Question 16

Gadsaden purchase (1853)

Answer 16

Mexico sold a strip of land to eh United States for $10 million, facilitating railroad construction in the southwest

Question 16

Panic of 1857

Answer 16

finical crisis marked by sharp price drops and rising unemployment, affecting northern cities, while southern economy remained stable due to high cotton prices

Question 16

Ostend Manifesto

Answer 16

secret diplomatic proposal to purchase Cuba from Spain, which sparked controversy and opposition in congress

Question 17

railroads

Answer 17

railroads became Americans largest industry, facilitating trade, transportation, and investment, while connecting local economies to national markets