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Questions and Answers
What was the primary objective of the wagon trains heading west in the 1840s?
What was the primary objective of the wagon trains heading west in the 1840s?
Which resource was NOT primarily sought after by settlers heading west through the Cumberland Gap?
Which resource was NOT primarily sought after by settlers heading west through the Cumberland Gap?
The Donner Party successfully reached California without any issues.
The Donner Party successfully reached California without any issues.
False
Daniel Boone successfully settled Kentucky without any conflicts with Native American tribes.
Daniel Boone successfully settled Kentucky without any conflicts with Native American tribes.
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Who led the Donner Party during their ill-fated journey?
Who led the Donner Party during their ill-fated journey?
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Who helped save Lewis and Clark during their expedition in the Rocky Mountains?
Who helped save Lewis and Clark during their expedition in the Rocky Mountains?
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The journey to California and Oregon by the wagon trains typically covered _____ miles.
The journey to California and Oregon by the wagon trains typically covered _____ miles.
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President Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from __________.
President Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from __________.
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What fatal mistake did the Donner Party make on their journey?
What fatal mistake did the Donner Party make on their journey?
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Match the following individuals with their contributions:
Match the following individuals with their contributions:
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Match the following events with their descriptions:
Match the following events with their descriptions:
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What year did the Lewis and Clark Expedition begin?
What year did the Lewis and Clark Expedition begin?
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The high death toll during the wagon trains was mainly due to encounters with Native Americans.
The high death toll during the wagon trains was mainly due to encounters with Native Americans.
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By 1795, 200,000 settlers had moved westward following Boone's lead.
By 1795, 200,000 settlers had moved westward following Boone's lead.
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What record weather event trapped the Donner Party near Truckee Pass?
What record weather event trapped the Donner Party near Truckee Pass?
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What was the primary animal sought after by trappers during the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
What was the primary animal sought after by trappers during the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
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What event triggered the California Gold Rush?
What event triggered the California Gold Rush?
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Less than 1 in 100 prospectors struck it rich during the Gold Rush.
Less than 1 in 100 prospectors struck it rich during the Gold Rush.
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Who was the President responsible for the Indian Relocation Act in 1830?
Who was the President responsible for the Indian Relocation Act in 1830?
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The Mississippi River served as a vital __________ for transporting goods to market.
The Mississippi River served as a vital __________ for transporting goods to market.
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What was President Polk's primary objective in the Mexican-American War?
What was President Polk's primary objective in the Mexican-American War?
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Match the following states or regions with their historical significance:
Match the following states or regions with their historical significance:
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General Taylor defeated a larger Mexican force at the Battle of Buena Vista.
General Taylor defeated a larger Mexican force at the Battle of Buena Vista.
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What was a common hardship faced by pioneers during westward expansion?
What was a common hardship faced by pioneers during westward expansion?
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Who was sent to take New Mexico in the spring of 1846 without firing a shot?
Who was sent to take New Mexico in the spring of 1846 without firing a shot?
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San Francisco was a boom town due to the California Gold Rush.
San Francisco was a boom town due to the California Gold Rush.
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What was the 'Trail of Tears'?
What was the 'Trail of Tears'?
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The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1847, resulted in the United States acquiring ______, New Mexico, and California.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1847, resulted in the United States acquiring ______, New Mexico, and California.
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Which general led the campaign that captured Mexico City in September 1847?
Which general led the campaign that captured Mexico City in September 1847?
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Match the following individuals with their respective actions during the Mexican-American War:
Match the following individuals with their respective actions during the Mexican-American War:
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Polk sent naval forces to California in 1845 before the outbreak of the war.
Polk sent naval forces to California in 1845 before the outbreak of the war.
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What was the name of the declaration made by Fremont when he seized Sonoma?
What was the name of the declaration made by Fremont when he seized Sonoma?
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What was the outcome of the Battle of San Jacinto?
What was the outcome of the Battle of San Jacinto?
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Santa Anna successfully held the Alamo for several weeks before taking it over.
Santa Anna successfully held the Alamo for several weeks before taking it over.
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Who was the first President of the Republic of Texas?
Who was the first President of the Republic of Texas?
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The term 'manifest destiny' was coined by journalist John L. O'Sullivan in _____ when he wrote about America's territorial expansion.
The term 'manifest destiny' was coined by journalist John L. O'Sullivan in _____ when he wrote about America's territorial expansion.
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Match the following historical figures with their contributions:
Match the following historical figures with their contributions:
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How many Texans were killed in the Battle of San Jacinto?
How many Texans were killed in the Battle of San Jacinto?
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The Mexican-American War began due to the annexation of Texas by the United States.
The Mexican-American War began due to the annexation of Texas by the United States.
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What was the main reason Santa Anna opposed Texas joining the United States?
What was the main reason Santa Anna opposed Texas joining the United States?
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Study Notes
Lecture 19: Into the West (DVD)
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First Stage: Across the Appalachians
- Cumberland Gap formed by meteorite 300 million years ago, provided access for settlers westward.
- Land west of Cumberland Gap controlled by European countries (Britain, France, Spain) and inhabited by hundreds of Native American tribes.
- Resources: land, minerals (gold and silver).
- Daniel Boone's Wilderness Road opened up Kentucky, defying British efforts to stop westward expansion.
- Boone and his party took no supplies, living off the land.
- Conflicts with the Shawnee Tribe.
- By 1795, 200,000 people followed Boone's routes across the Appalachians.
Second Stage: Across the Mississippi - The Louisiana Purchase
- 1803: President Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon for 3 cents per acre (500 million acres).
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Lewis and Clark Expedition (May 1804): Meriwether Lewis and William Clark mapped the Louisiana Territory.
- Faced a completely unknown frontier, Rocky Mountains.
- Encountered and were saved by Sacagawea, a Shoshone girl.
- First Americans to reach Pacific Ocean by land, mapping 300+ species of wildlife.
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Trappers and Beaver:
- Lewis and Clark expedition opened up Rocky Mountains to trappers seeking beaver (highly prized in Europe).
- Hundreds of trappers flooded the Rockies for fortunes.
- Jedediah Smith was a significant trapper, covering 1,000 miles per year and trapping 600 beaver pelts.
- Worked with the Native Americans like the Crow.
Third Stage: Wagon Trains West - 1840s: Mass-Migration
- Destination: California and Oregon (2,000 mile journey)
- Travel: 10 miles a day.
- Objectives: new opportunities (leaving established farms and homes)
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Conestoga Wagons: Used for transport of people and provisions.
- Drinking water - captured rainwater
- Fuel - dung from oxen
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The Donner Party (June 1846):
- Traveled through Sierra Nevada Mountains.
- Made a fatal mistake by taking short cuts, resulted in 5 months of being stranded due to snowstorms.
- Faced difficult conditions, including relying on the cannibalization of bodies to survive.
- Clash with Mexico: Mexico's large empire stretched from Oregon to Guatemala.
War of Texas Independence (February-April 1836)
- The Alamo (February-March 1836): A rebellion broke out due to restrictive policies of Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna.
- 200 Texans defended the Alamo against Santa Anna's invasion. All defenders were killed.
- Battle of San Jacinto (April 21, 1836): Texan victory led by Sam Houston, which resulted in Texas' independence from Mexico.
Manifest Destiny
- The belief that America was destined to expand its territory to the Pacific Ocean.
Mexican-American War (1846-1847)
- Cause: Annexation of Texas and disputes over boundaries.
- Fighting: American forces under Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott fought in Mexico and the American Southwest.
-
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1847): Mexico ceded California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming to the US.
- The US also agreed to pay Mexico $15 million.
Fourth Stage: California Gold Rush (1848)
- Discovery: James Marshall discovered gold in a California river in 1848.
- Impact: 100,000 people flocked to California in search of wealth.
- San Francisco Boom Town: San Francisco emerged as a significant, rapidly growing city.
- Hardships: Many prospectors faced difficulties like lack of supplies and starvation.
- Gold Rush Lasting 5 Years: Had a profound impact on the development of California.
Downside to Westward Expansion
- Treatment of Native Americans: Relocated to reservations due to pressures exerted by the US.
- Short Life Expectancy: Shortened life expectancy due to diseases like malaria.
- The Trail of Tears: The forced removal and resulting hardships suffered by the Cherokee.
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Description
Explore the journey of American expansion into the West covering notable events like the Cumberland Gap formation, Daniel Boone's Wilderness Road, and the Louisiana Purchase. This quiz delves into the pivotal moments and figures that shaped the westward movement in the United States.
