Manifest Destiny review Flashcards
What was the significance of the Alamo in 1835?
It was a 13-day siege where Texans, including William Travis, Sam Bowie, and Davy Crockett, fought against Santa Anna’s forces.
Santa Anna ordered ‘take no prisoners’ during the siege.
Who organized 300 American families to settle in Texas in 1824?
Stephen F. Austin
Moses Austin was given a land grant as an Empresario.
What were the laws imposed by Mexico on American settlers in Texas?
Restrictions included:
* Limited slavery
* Required conversion to Catholicism
* Required use of Spanish
* Strict immigration laws
Many Americans ignored these laws.
Which battle marked the defeat of Santa Anna and secured Texas independence?
Battle of San Jacinto
Sam Houston was in command during this battle.
What was the outcome of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848?
Mexico ceded New Mexico and California to the US and recognized the Rio Grande as the border.
The US paid Mexico $15 million and $3.25 million for American claims.
What was the Gadsden Purchase and its purpose?
It was a purchase of land for $10 million to secure a land route for a railroad.
This occurred under President Pierce.
Fill in the blank: The _______ proposed banning slavery in all land gained from Mexico.
Wilmot Proviso
What did the Compromise of 1850 establish regarding California?
California entered as a free state.
The compromise also included popular sovereignty for New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada.
True or False: The northern states supported the annexation of Texas.
False
They opposed bringing in another slave state.
Who was the President that promised the annexation of Texas?
James K. Polk
What was the Bear Flag Revolt?
A revolt by American settlers in California against Mexican rule.
Captain John C. Fremont was involved in this movement.
What was the border dispute between the US and Mexico after Texas annexation?
US claimed the Rio Grande River; Mexico claimed the Nueces River.
What was the primary goal of President Polk regarding Manifest Destiny?
To expand US territory from coast to coast.
What happened during the Battle of Goliad?
Texans surrendered and were executed by Santa Anna.
This was part of the conflict for Texas independence.
Who was Santa Anna?
Self-declared dictator of Mexico during the Texas Revolution.
How many travelers went west during the expansion period?
More than 30,000 travelers.
What was a key outcome of the Mexican-American War?
The US acquired significant territories including California and New Mexico.
Fill in the blank: The Fugitive Slave Act allowed a slave owner to reclaim a runaway slave through a _______.
judge
What was the significance of the 10 dollars and 5 dollars in the Fugitive Slave Act?
Judges received $10 for ruling a runaway as a slave and $5 for ruling otherwise.
What did Americans believe about the land they were settling in Texas?
That it was Spanish/Mexican land that could be colonized and farmed.
What was the California Trail roughly laid out by?
Mountain Men
The California Trail was laid out between the 1810s and 1840s.
In what year did newspapers first report a trail to California?
1845
How many settlers made their way to California in 1846?
1,500
What was the Hastings Cutoff?
An alternate route claimed to cut time but actually added time.
What happened to the Donner Party?
They arrived a week late and were trapped in the mountains.
What significant event occurred on May 12, 1848, in California?
Gold was discovered in the water.
What was the economic impact of the Gold Rush in California?
Many Californians gave up their lives to seek fortune in gold.
Who was Sam Brannan?
A store owner for mining supplies who became a millionaire.
What was the population increase in California due to the Gold Rush?
From about 20,000 to over 100,000.
What was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?
The treaty that ceded California to the U.S. on February 2, 1848.
Who discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill?
James Marshall
What were the two main routes taken by prospectors to California?
Oregon and California Trails
What was the Cape Horn route?
An 18,000-mile journey taking 4-8 months.
What was the Panama shortcut?
A 7,000-mile journey taking 2-3 months.
What were the ‘49ers’?
Farmers and others who left to find gold in 1849.
What was the average annual income of a successful farmer compared to potential mining earnings?
Farmers made $300 a year, while miners had a slim chance at $25 a day.
What impact did the Gold Rush have on the population of San Francisco?
Population exploded from about 200 to over 36,000.
When did California become a state?
1850
What was the Compromise of 1850?
California entered as a free state, and New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada would vote on slavery.
What was the Comstock Lode?
A 1859 discovery of silver in Nevada/Utah Territory that sparked a new silver rush.
Fill in the blank: The first blue jeans were manufactured and sold by _______.
Levi Strauss
True or False: Most immigrant prospectors faced discrimination during the Gold Rush.
True
What was the initial public perception of the Gold Rush’s success?
Wonder about how much money people were making.
What was the population of non-natives in California before the Gold Rush?
Approximately 20,000
What was a common outcome for miners after a few months of searching for gold?
Most gave up and found other work.
What treaty allowed Mormons to legally settle in California, Texas, and New Mexico?
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
This treaty enabled settlers to mine and farm without becoming Mexican citizens.
When did Mormon pioneers begin to settle land near the Great Salt Lake?
1847
They sought refuge from discrimination for their religious beliefs.
What did Mormons petition the U.S. Congress for?
To establish Utah as a U.S. territory
Who was Joseph Smith?
Founder of the Mormon religion and author of the Book of Mormons
What is the Book of Mormons?
The sacred text of the Mormon religion
What church did Joseph Smith create?
The Church of Christ, known as the Latter Day Saints or Mormons
Where did Smith build a community of Mormon followers?
New York
What happened to Joseph Smith in 1844?
He was attacked and killed by a mob in Illinois
Who succeeded Joseph Smith as the head of the Mormon Church?
Brigham Young
What was Brigham Young’s role in the Mormon migration?
He decided the Mormons should relocate to seek refuge
What did Smith emphasize for the Mormon community?
Importance of self-sustenance
What year did approximately 12,000 Mormons migrate west?
1846
What was significant about the Mormon migration in 1846?
It was the largest single migration in U.S. history
What territory was acquired by the U.S. in 1848?
The territory surrounding the Great Salt Lake
What was established in 1850?
Utah Territory
Who was the first governor of Utah Territory?
Brigham Young
When was Utah admitted to the Union?
1896
What number state was Utah upon its admission to the Union?
45th
