SOL Quiz 15 US Expansion 1830s-1860

1. "The fulfillment of our manifest destiny to overspread the continent...." James L. O'Sullivan wrote this in Which of the following is an example of Manifest Destiny? a. Monroe Doctrine b. annexation of Texas c. War of 1812 d. Missouri Compromise Manifest Destiny, the idea that Providence meant that the United States should rule from "sea to shining sea," became an accepted notion by Americans in the 1840s. For this reason, public opinion supported the annexation of Texas.

2. Texas applied for annexation to the United States in 1837, but was not annexed until The major factor in the eight-year delay was a. fear of war with Great Britain b. opposition of the Apache and other Native Americans c. hostility to the spread of slavery d. threats by Mexico Texas gained its independence from Mexico in 1836 and declared itself a republic. The new Texas constitution legalized slavery. When Texas applied for statehood, many Northerners objected because they did not want another slave-holding state added to the Union.

3. How did the U.S. ultimately acquire the territories of California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming in 1848? a. Mexican Cession b. Gadsden Purchase c. Monroe Doctrine d. Rush-Bagot Agreement California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming were all part of the Mexican Cession. As part of the treaty ending the Mexican War, the U.S. acquired the land from Mexico in 1848 for $15 million.

4. What was the LAST piece of contiguous (touching) territory added to the U.S.? a. Alaska b. Gadsden Purchase c. Panama Canal Zone d. Mexican Cession The negotiations for this land purchase were conducted by the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, James Gadsden. The U.S. wanted the land because its relatively flat terrain would provide a good route for a future trans-continental railroad.

5. Which dispute with Britain was settled in 1846? a. freedom of navigation b. impressment of American sailors c. quarrels over the Maine border d. ownership of the Oregon Territory In 1819 U.S. and Britain decided that both nations would jointly own the land. By the 1840s, many Americans demanded that the U.S. take control of all of Oregon Country -- all the way to its northern boundary of 54 degrees latitude, 40 minutes. "Fifty- four Forty or Fight!" was their slogan.