Westward Expansion-Manifest Destiny-Civil War Flashcards
What is the Louisiana Purchase?
In 1803, the United States purchased a vast territory from France known as the Louisiana Purchase. This acquisition doubled the size of the country and extended its western boundary.
What is the Embargo Act?
The Embargo Act of 1807 was a law passed by the U.S. Congress under President Thomas Jefferson. It prohibited American ships from trading with foreign nations in an effort to protect American interests and avoid conflicts with European powers.
What is the Donner Party?
The Donner Party was a group of American pioneers who became stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the winter of 1846-1847. Many members of the party died due to starvation and harsh conditions. The group eventually resorted to cannibalism.
What is a Federalist?
The Federalist Party was one of the first political parties in the United States. It was formed by Alexander Hamilton and his supporters and favoured a strong central government, a national bank, and commercial and industrial development.
What is the Alamo?
The Alamo was a mission in San Antonio, Texas, that became a pivotal site during the Texas Revolution. In 1836, a small Texan force defended the Alamo against a much larger Mexican army led by General Santa Anna. Although the Texan defenders were eventually defeated, their resistance became a symbol of courage and sacrifice.
Who are Lewis and Clark?
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were explorers commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson to lead the first American expedition across the western portion of the United States, known as the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They explored the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territory from 1804 to 1806.
What is an Anti-Federalist?
The Anti-Federalists were a group of individuals who opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution in the late 18th century. They believed that the Constitution would create a strong central government that could potentially infringe upon individual liberties.
What is the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo?
The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo was signed in 1848, ending the Mexican-American War. Under the treaty, Mexico ceded a significant portion of its territory to the United States, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.
What is Manifest Destiny?
Manifest Destiny was a belief prevalent in the 19th century that the United States was destined to expand its territory across the North American continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
Who is President Polk?
James K. Polk served as the 11th President of the United States from 1845 to 1849. He was a strong proponent of Manifest Destiny and played a significant role in expanding the country’s territory through the annexation of Texas and the acquisition of the Oregon Territory and the Mexican Cession.
What is the Mexican-American War?
The Mexican-American War was fought between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848. It was primarily driven by territorial disputes and the desire of the United States to acquire Mexican-held lands in the Southwest. The war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.
What was the Whiskey Rebellion?
The Whiskey Rebellion occurred in 1791-1794 as a response to a tax imposed on whiskey by the federal government. Farmers in western Pennsylvania, who relied on whiskey as a major commodity, protested the tax through acts of resistance and violence. The rebellion was eventually suppressed by President George Washington.
Who is James Madison?
James Madison was the fourth President of the United States, serving from 1809 to 1817. He is often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution” due to his significant contributions to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution and the authorship of the Bill of Rights.
What is the Indian Relocation Act?
The Indian Relocation Act of 1830, also known as the Indian Removal Act, was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson. It authorized the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to areas west of the Mississippi River.
Who is Andrew Jackson?
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States, serving from 1829 to 1837. He was a controversial figure known for his populism and expansionist policies, as well as his involvement in the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears.
What is the Trail of Tears?
The Trail of Tears refers to the forced relocation of Native American tribes, primarily the Cherokee, from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) in the 1830s. Thousands of Native Americans died during the journey due to exposure, disease, and mistreatment.
What were the Seminole Wars?
The Seminole Wars were a series of conflicts that took place in Florida between the United States and the Seminole Native American tribe from the early 19th century to the mid-1850s. The wars were primarily fought over land disputes and the U.S. government’s desire to remove the Seminoles from Florida.
Who was General de Santa Anna?
General Antonio López de Santa Anna was a prominent Mexican military and political leader who served as the President of Mexico multiple times. He played a significant role in the Texas Revolution, the Mexican-American War, and various other conflicts in Mexican history.
Who was Sacagawea?
Sacagawea was a Shoshone woman who accompanied the Lewis and Clark Expedition as an interpreter and guide. She played a crucial role in the success of the expedition, serving as a translator and helping establish friendly relations with Native American tribes encountered along the way.
What was the French Revolution?
The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France from 1789 to 1799. It resulted in the overthrow of the monarchy, the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, and significant societal and political changes in France and Europe.
What was Jay’s Treaty?
Jay’s Treaty, signed in 1795, was a diplomatic agreement between the United States and Great Britain. It aimed to resolve several disputes between the two countries, including issues related to trade, boundaries, and the presence of British troops in the Northwest Territory.
What was the War of 1812?
The War of 1812 was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain that took place from 1812 to 1815. It was primarily fought over maritime rights and territorial disputes. The war ended in a stalemate, with no significant territorial changes, but it solidified American national identity and led to a period of increased patriotism.
What was the XYZ Affair?
The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic incident that occurred in the late 1790s between the United States and France. The U.S. envoys sent to negotiate with France were approached by French agents who demanded bribes before any discussions could take place. This incident led to increased tensions between the two countries.
What were the Alien Sedition Acts?
The Alien and Sedition Acts were a series of laws passed by the U.S. Congress in 1798 during the presidency of John Adams. The acts aimed to limit the influence of immigrants and suppress political opposition by making it harder for immigrants to become citizens and criminalizing certain types of speech critical of the government.
What was the Monroe Doctrine?
The Monroe Doctrine, articulated by President James Monroe in 1823, was a U.S. foreign policy statement that declared the Western Hemisphere off-limits for further colonization by European powers. It asserted American dominance and warned against European interference in the affairs of independent nations in the Americas.
