American Revolution and Manifest Destiny

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Questions and Answers

What inspired other revolutionary movements aside from the American Declaration?

The Haitian Revolution (correct)

The Industrial Revolution

The Magna Carta

The signing of the Treaty of Paris

Which battle is considered a key turning point that convinced France to join the American cause?

Battle of New Orleans

Battle of Lexington

Battle of Bunker Hill

Battle of Saratoga (correct)

Which of the following was a limitation of the Declaration of Independence?

It protected the rights of all individuals.

It promoted separation of church and state effectively.

It excluded Black people and Native Americans. (correct)

It established a federal government immediately.

What was the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War?

Battle of Yorktown Signup and view all the answers

Which peace treaty marked the formal recognition of American independence by Britain?

Treaty of Versailles Signup and view all the answers

Which groups did the Declaration of Independence notably exclude?

Black people and Native Americans Signup and view all the answers

How did the war transform into a global conflict?

Due to support from Spain, France, and the Netherlands Signup and view all the answers

What advantage did British forces have during the war?

More experienced military leaders Signup and view all the answers

Who first used the term 'manifest destiny' in a significant editorial?

John L. O'Sullivan Signup and view all the answers

How long could the trip West take when traveling in a wagon train?

Five to six months Signup and view all the answers

According to the philosophy of manifest destiny, what was believed about the United States' mission?

To overspread and possess the whole continent Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Buffalo Soldiers play after the American Revolution?

They protected settlers and fought the Natives Signup and view all the answers

Which historical figure associated manifest destiny emphasized a 'distinctively lofty mission' for the United States?

Albert K. Weinberg Signup and view all the answers

What imagery is often associated with the concept of manifest destiny in the context of land?

The land as feminine and virgin needing protection Signup and view all the answers

What term became more common after the 19th century than manifest destiny?

American exceptionalism Signup and view all the answers

Which statement aligns with the viewpoint of manifest destiny regarding the land considered appropriate for settlement?

It was divinely ordained for American civilization to occupy. Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant consequence of diseases brought by Spanish colonizers?

Significant declines in native populations Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the encomendero in the encomienda system?

To protect and teach a group of natives Signup and view all the answers

What marked the beginning of the transatlantic slave trade?

The decline of native populations due to diseases Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the conditions under the encomienda system?

Labor conditions were often akin to enslavement Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the primary goals behind establishing Spanish missions in the Americas?

To convert indigenous peoples to Catholicism Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the biodiversity exchange during Spanish colonization is true?

New plants, animals, and crops were introduced to the Americas Signup and view all the answers

What was a common misconception about the encomienda system?

It was a system designed for beneficial relations Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a cultural effect of Spanish colonization?

Many indigenous languages and cultural practices were lost Signup and view all the answers

What perspective does Bradford use in his narration?

A retrospective perspective from the pilgrims Signup and view all the answers

How did the Puritans view their settlement in relation to God?

As a divine plan and providence Signup and view all the answers

How are evil events interpreted in Bradford's account of history?

As part of God's providential plan Signup and view all the answers

In what manner are the American natives represented in Bradford's writing?

As minor influences on the Puritans’ actions Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable feature of Bradford's historical narrative?

Combination of history and personal memory Signup and view all the answers

What is depicted by the metaphor of 'waters dammed up' in Bradford's account?

The imminent chaos in the colony Signup and view all the answers

What emotional tone does Bradford convey towards the end of his account?

A sense of loss and farewell Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Bradford's portrayal of death as a special work of God’s providence?

It emphasizes the Puritans' belief in divine intervention Signup and view all the answers

What significant event effectively marked the end of the American frontier period?

The declaration by the Census Bureau that the frontier was closed Signup and view all the answers

Which group was notably excluded from Turner’s frontier thesis?

Asian workers Signup and view all the answers

What was a major factor that compelled American colonists to expand westward?

Increased land demand due to European immigration Signup and view all the answers

Which act authorized the construction of the railroad connecting the East and West Coasts?

Lincoln's Pacific Railroad Act Signup and view all the answers

What was one negative consequence of the railroad expansion for Native Americans?

Decreased buffalo populations Signup and view all the answers

How did the American colonists gain Texas from Mexico?

By establishing a majority population then declaring independence Signup and view all the answers

Which territory was acquired by the United States from France in 1803?

Louisiana Signup and view all the answers

What role did big corporations play in the westward expansion of the United States?

They were the primary benefactors of the expansion. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary requirement for homesteaders to 'prove up' on their land?

Live on the land and farm for 5 years Signup and view all the answers

What did Thomas Jefferson believe Indigenous peoples should transition to?

Farming instead of hunting Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main intentions behind the Dawes Act of 1887?

To encourage Native Americans to adopt farming Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of the Dawes Act?

Opening of 60 million acres of treaty land to settlers Signup and view all the answers

Why did most of the allotted lands under the Dawes Act prove unsuitable for agriculture?

Insufficient rainfall and small plot sizes Signup and view all the answers

How did the federal government view tribes after the 1871 declaration?

As independent governments no longer Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the funding sources specified in the Dawes Act for Indian education?

Land that remained after allotment sold to non-Natives Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the effect of the Dawes Act on Native Americans' land ownership?

Private property fragmentation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

CULTURAL STUDIES: United States of America

The US is the 3rd largest country in the world, half the size of Russia, one-third the size of Africa, and one and a half times the size of Western Europe.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is known for its steel and coal mines.
Massachusetts has some of the oldest universities, including Columbia, Harvard, and Yale.
New York City is the most populous city in the US, and a major hub due to immigration and finance.
Boston was initially inhabited by the Massachusett tribe, and was founded by Puritans seeking religious freedom.
Boston's economy flourished due to fishing, and later became crucial to the cotton trade and migration.
Philadelphia was founded by William Penn and is considered the "origin" of the US, as the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were created there.
The Mason-Dixon Line separates Maryland and Pennsylvania, created due to disputes between the two states.
Washington DC was created as the US capital, located around the Potomac River. It houses important buildings like the White House and the Capitol.
The Southeast is characterized by wetlands, rivers originating from the Appalachian Mountains, and an agricultural-based economy (cotton and tobacco).
Charleston, South Carolina was an important trading city during the American Civil War, with Fort Sumter as a key objective.
New Orleans, Louisiana is a major port, and the birthplace of jazz music. It has a powerful and influential role in US history.
The West includes the Rocky Mountains, lakes in Utah, and fertile valleys along the coast, with Alaska as the largest state and Hawaii as the 50th.
Los Angeles is known for the film industry and its diverse population.
The Missouri River is the longest river in the US, joining with the Mississippi River in Missouri. The Mississippi River is the second-largest river, draining numerous states and part of Canada.
The Great Plains are arid lands located between the Rocky Mountains and the Great Lakes. They have a farming-based economy.

LITERATURE OF COLONIZATION

The Bering Strait was where many Asians first came to North America.
The Vikings were the first to reach North America around 1000 AD, with an unsuccessful settlement.
The Age of Exploration (late 15th century) was driven by trade and the search for freedom.
European explorers were seeking quicker and cheaper routes to Southeast Asia than the Silk Road.
The monarchies of Portugal and Spain led these expeditions, with notable figures like Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama, and Christopher Columbus.
Columbus's journals are a vital source of information about the early colonization efforts, although they are not objective accounts; they are biased by his own perspective and influenced by other sources (e.g., Marco Polo's travel narratives).
Columbus's motivations included trade, gold, Christianity, and competition with Portugal.
Columbus's four voyages are noteworthy for the interactions with Native Americans, the search for gold, and the mistranslations of indigenous languages.

THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION

The Protestant Reformation challenged established Christianity in 16th-century Europe.
Reformers pushed for a more direct relationship between the individual and the Bible, without the intermediary of priests or popes.
The Puritans, English Protestants aiming to reform the Church of England, were influential in settling in the Americas.
Puritanism was heavily influenced by Calvinism, with its focus on predestination.

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

During the period of Salutary Neglect, the British government had little involvement in the colonies, fostering self-governance.
The Navigation Acts regulated trade, but were not properly enforced, leading to evasion by colonists.
Colonists considered themselves Englishmen with the same rights as those in Britain.
The system of governance in the colonies involved a governor appointed by the king and a General Assembly elected by colonists.
The General Assemblies often challenged the governor’s authority.
The 13 colonies thrived economically, though social disparities existed between rich and poor.
The Seven Years' War led to British taxation of the colonies to cover the war debt.
The Stamp Act of 1765, the Sugar Act of 1764, and the Tea Act of 1773 imposed taxes on American colonies.
The acts were met with resistance and protests (e.g., the Boston Tea Party) and boycotts.
The colonists felt that they should not be taxed without representation in the British Parliament.
These events ultimately led to the American Revolution, commencing with the battles of Lexington and Concord (1775).
The Declaration of Independence was drafted in 1776 and formalized the conflict
The Declaration highlighted the natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

WESTWARD EXPANSION

Manifest Destiny was a belief that the US was destined to expand across the continent.
The Homestead Act (1862) parcelled and sold land to American citizens.
The Dawes Act of 1887 aimed to assimilate Native Americans into American culture by forcing them onto reservations and forcing them to make a transition to an agricultural economy.
The westward expansion led to conflict with Native Americans.
American exceptionalism was the idea of a unique destiny and role for the US in the world.
The construction of the transcontinental railroad connected the East and the West coasts, facilitated by Chinese workers.

SLAVERY AND THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

The US had experienced slavery since 1619 (with the arrival of African slaves), though indentured servitude was a previous form of labor.
The institution of slavery was deeply entrenched in the South.
The Missouri Compromise (1820) regulated slavery in western territories until it was overturned by the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854.
The Fugitive Slave Act, the Compromise of 1850, and other events led to increased tensions.
The Civil War (1861-1865) was a conflict over states' rights and the issue of slavery and the preservation of the Union.
The Emancipation Proclamation (1863) declared slaves in Confederate states to be free.
The 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery; later amendments (14th & 15th) focused on citizenship rights and voting rights for formerly enslaved people.

THE HAPPY 1920s

The flapper symbolized a new identity for women.
The Volstead Act (1919) banned the production and sale of alcohol.
The 1920s also saw the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, which expressed opposition to immigrants and minorities.
The stock market crash (1929) marked the beginning of the Great Depression.
The New Deal was a response to the Great Depression that implemented increased government involvement in the economy to provide relief.

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Test your knowledge on the American Revolution and the concept of manifest destiny. This quiz covers key battles, important figures, and the implications of the Declaration of Independence. Explore how these events shaped the United States' history and its global impact.