1. How to Study for Exams
Space your review out over several days, don’t try to do it all at once.
Focus on Understanding not Memorization
Step 1: Identify the information to be tested.
complete review guide,
read over notes provided by teacher
review Quizlet if available
Step 2: Identify what you don’t know (this is what you should spend the most time with)
Write down questions you have about this material
Seek out the answers to these questions
Step 3: Learning is active, do something with the material you need to master (don’t just re-read)
Write your own review questions, then answer them
Chunk the material and write summaries
Make flash cards
Draw a picture of the information
Create graphic notes (venn diagrams, flow charts, web maps, timelines)
Rank the information (by importance, based on your comfort, least interesting to most)
Step 4: Learning is social, Review with a friend or parent
Quiz each other on the material
Take turns reading your summaries
Explain your notes to them, teach the material
Compare your answers to the review guide- identify difference and look up the information to see who is right.

2. Chapter 15: Manifest Destiny and the Growing Nation
The term manifest destiny inspired the hopes and dreams of many Americans
Manifest Destiny was the belief that it was our right and duty to spread across the north American continent.
Diplomacy, Treaties, money, and war were used to accomplish this.
Diplomacy- the art of conducting negotiations with other countries
Annex- to add a territory to a country. Such an addition is called annexation.
Intimidation- the action of making fearful
Conquest- the act of gaining land by force.
Polk's goal as President was to increase the size of the United States by adding territory and fulfilling Manifest Destiny.
Campaign promise “All of Oregon or None” “Fifty-four, Forty or fight”

3. Louisiana Territory
Before the US acquired Louisiana it was controlled first by Spain and then by France
The US was interested in Louisiana Territory to secure use of the Mississippi River for trade
The Mississippi River was important because farmers west of the App Mts needed to use the river to transport crops to sell them in the east.
Originally the goal was to buy New Orleans from France for $7.5 million, to secure use of the Mississippi River
France offered
To sell all of Louisiana territory to the US
For $15 million
This doubled the size of the US
Louisiana was purchased from France through diplomacy. This purchase doubled the size or US, and cost $15 million. As a result, the US was guaranteed used of Mississippi River to ship goods, and had access to all of the land and resources in the new territory. Eastern states unhappy with loss of power. Do you think the US was justified?

4. Florida
Throughout the early 1800s Seminole Indians from Spanish controlled Florida were raiding farms in Georgia.
President Monroe sent General Jackson to Georgia with orders to patrol the border and stop the raids.
General Jackson ignores the order and invades Florida capturing forts, and replacing the governor.
Following advice of cabinet member J.Q. Adams, President Monroe issues a threat to Spain. Saying to govern the territory properly or get out.
This intimidation, forced Spain to yield Florida to the US in the Transcontinental Treaty (aka Adam-Onis treaty). This treaty gave Florida to the US, in exchange the US paid $5 million dollars to settlers in Florida to settle claims against the government.
Florida was acquired through military force and intimidation that led to the diplomatic treaty. Was the US justified in its actions in Florida?

5. Texas
In 1821 Spanish officials invite American settlers in to Texas if they agree to conditions set by the Mexican government.
Over time more Americans move to Texas many of them illegally, these settlers do not follow the conditions set by the Mexican government and fight with Tejanos
In 1830 Mexico closes the Texas border to American settlement and outlaws slavery in Texas. American living in Texas call for a revolution.
American settlers (Texans) in Texas fight a War for Independence with the Mexican government. The Texans win this war and gain independence forming the country the Lone Star Republic.
Battle at the Alamo most significant battle. Every defender inside killed, filling Texans with rage.
Texas is an independent country for 10 years before it is annexed by the US in 1845.
The Lone Star Republic appeals to the US for Annexation by the US repeatedly, but Northerners reject this request for 2 reasons
Wanted to stop the spread of slavery
Wanted to avoid war with Mexico
Polk’s election was viewed as a mandate for Manifest Density and as a result Congress approved the annexation.
Were the actions of American settlers justified?
Was the US annexation of Texas justified?

6. Oregon
1819 Oregon was claimed by 4 countries US, GB, Spain and Russia. Spain and Russia back out and the US and GB share the land in a peaceful, joint occupation.
American setters were motivated to move west by fertile farmland, forest to harvest into timber and disease free living.
Missionaries to the northwest brought with them diseases that had a major impact on Native American populations
In 1844 when Polk ran for President, he promised that the US would annex Oregon “All of Oregon or none” “Fifty-four, forty or fight”
Once elected in 1845 Polk backed down (not wanting to risk war with GB) and used diplomacy to negotiate compromise treaty that divided Oregon in half at the 49th parallel.
Were the US actions in Oregon justified?

7. Mexican Cession
When Polk was elected president he tried to buy California and New Mexico from Mexico, the offer was rejected.
After Texas was annexed by the US, Polk sent the US army to camp on disputed land (land both the US and Mexico claimed) along the Rio Grande River. The Mexican army attacked the US army for invading Mexican land. War was declared.
The War with Mexico waged on from with the US army invading California and New Mexico and turning south into Mexico in conquest. Ultimately the war ended in a US victory with the Treat of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Mexico gives up Texas and Mexican Cession (1/2 its territory)
US agrees to pay Mexico $15 million
US promises to protect Mexican living in Texas and Mexican Cession territories (promise not kept)
Were US actions in the War with Mexico justified?

8. Gadsden Purchase
Gadsden Purchase from Mexico by Gadsden because it was flat and would provide a new railroad route, created the Southwest boarder of the US with Mexico.
This included the land just south of the Mexican Cession, that make up the present-day southwest border of the United States.
It was gained because James Gadsden wanted to build a railroad
Was this purchase justified?