Manifest Destiny Quiz

Question 1

What does ‘Manifest Destiny’ refer to?

Answer 1

The belief that the United States was destined to expand westward to the Pacific Ocean.

Question 2

Which president was elected in 1844, and what were his main campaign promises?

Answer 2

James K. Polk; the annexation of Texas, the acquisition of California, and the “reoccupation” or the Oregon Territory

Question 3

What was the main goal of the 1844 election campaign slogan ‘Fifty-Four Forty or Fight’?

Answer 3

To assert U.S. claims to the Oregon Territory up to the latitude of 54°40′.

Question 4

What treaty settled the Oregon boundary dispute between the U.S. and Britain?

Answer 4

The Oregon Treaty of 1846

Question 5

What were the causes of the Mexican-American War?

Answer 5

Border disputes over Texas and the U.S. annexation of Texas.

Question 6

What was the result of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)?

Answer 6

The U.S. acquired California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.

Question 7

What was the Gadsden Purchase (1853)?

Answer 7

The U.S. purchased land from Mexico to facilitate a southern transcontinental railroad.

Question 8

What was the significance of the Wilmot Proviso?

Answer 8

It proposed banning slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico.

Question 9

Which states were part of the land acquired through the Mexican Cession?

Answer 9

California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.

Question 10

What was the role of the California Gold Rush in Manifest Destiny?

Answer 10

It spurred westward migration and the rapid settlement of California.

Question 11

What was the primary purpose of the Homestead Act of 1862?

Answer 11

To encourage westward expansion by offering settlers 160 acres of public land for a small fee.

Question 12

What role did railroads play in Manifest Destiny?

Answer 12

They facilitated westward expansion by connecting eastern states to western territories.

Question 13

What were ‘squatters’ in the context of westward expansion?

Answer 13

Settlers who claimed land in the West before it was officially surveyed or opened for settlement.

Question 14

What was the impact of Manifest Destiny on Native Americans?

Answer 14

It led to displacement, loss of land, and violent conflicts such as the Indian Removal Act and Trail of Tears.

Question 15

What was the Ostend Manifesto (1854)?

Answer 15

A document suggesting the U.S. should purchase Cuba from Spain and implying war if Spain refused.

Question 16

What did the annexation of Texas in 1845 lead to?

Answer 16

Increased tensions with Mexico, ultimately leading to the Mexican-American War.

Question 17

What is the significance of the term ‘borderlands’ in the context of Manifest Destiny?

Answer 17

Regions where U.S., Native American, and Mexican cultures and territories intersected and clashed.

Question 18

What was the purpose of the Overland Trails?

Answer 18

To provide routes for settlers traveling to Oregon, California, and other western territories.

Question 19

How did the concept of Manifest Destiny justify westward expansion?

Answer 19

By framing it as a divine right and duty to spread democracy and civilization.

Question 20

What role did missionaries play in westward expansion?

Answer 20

They sought to convert Native Americans and spread Christianity in western territories.

Question 21

What was the outcome of the Election of 1844?

Answer 21

James K. Polk won, advocating for expansion and annexation of Texas and Oregon.

Question 22

What was significant about the Election of 1848?

Answer 22

Zachary Taylor, a Whig and Mexican-American War hero, won the presidency.

Question 23

What were the major events of the Mexican-American War?

Answer 23

Battles at Palo Alto, Buena Vista, and the capture of Mexico City; ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Question 24

Who were the mountain men, and what role did they play in westward expansion?

Answer 24

Fur trappers and explorers who opened trails to the West, like the Oregon Trail.

Question 25

What was the conflict over Texas that contributed to westward expansion?

Answer 25

Disputes over Texas’ independence, annexation by the U.S., and border disagreements with Mexico.

Question 26

What was the Aroostook War?

Answer 26

A conflict between the U.S. and Britain over the Maine-New Brunswick border, resolved by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty.

Question 27

How was the Oregon boundary dispute resolved?

Answer 27

Through negotiation in the Oregon Treaty of 1846, dividing the territory at the 49th parallel.

Question 28

John O’Sullivan

Answer 28

Promoted the idea of manifest destiny across the county in the 1840s

Question 29

Three regions Americans promoting manifest destiny wanted to expand into in the 1840s

Answer 29

-Mexico
-Cuba
-Central America

Question 30

Moses and Stephen Austin

Answer 30

Migrated with 300 other American families into Mexico’s frontier territory of Texas in 1823

Question 31

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

Answer 31

Made himself dictator of Mexico in 1834

Question 32

Sam Houston

Answer 32

An American settler in Texas who made a group of other settlers and declared Texas an independent republic

Question 33

Robert Gray

Answer 33

Explored the Columbia River; one of the reasons why the U.S. claimed the Oregon territory

Question 34

Great American Desert

Answer 34

The Great Plains; the large desert region in the middle of the continent that was settled much later than the West because of its climate

Question 35

James Beckwourth, Jim Brider, Kit Carson, and Jedidiah Smith were all ____

Answer 35

Mountain men and fur traders