American Westward Expansion Quiz

A natural passage through the Appalachian Mountains that allowed early settlers to move westward.

A famous American frontiersman who led settlers across the Cumberland Gap and built the Wilderness Road.

A massive land purchase made by President Thomas Jefferson in 1803, acquiring the Louisiana Territory from France.

An expedition led by Meriweather Lewis and William Clark to explore the Louisiana Territory and document its resources.

A Native American woman who accompanied the Lewis and Clark Expedition, serving as an interpreter and guide.

The Rocky Mountains, a major mountain range that presented significant challenges for westward exploration.

The trapping of beaver, which was a major industry in the American West due to the high demand for beaver pelts in Europe.

A renowned trapper who covered vast distances and established trade routes in the West, working closely with the Native American Crow Tribe.

President Polk's belief that American expansion across the continent was both inevitable and morally right.

A US military campaign led by General Taylor, aiming to capture Mexican territories and fulfill Manifest Destiny.

The US strategy to engage Mexico in war by invading their territory, leading to battles like the Battle of Buena Vista and the capture of Monterrey.

The leader of the American forces that captured California.

The leader of the American naval squadron dispatched to California in 1845, who captured Monterey and helped bring California under American control.

A short-lived republic proclaimed in California by American settlers in 1846, a prelude to American control of the region.

The site of a key American victory over Mexican forces in February 1847, solidifying American control in the north.

The treaty that ended the Mexican-American War, ceding vast territories including California and New Mexico to America.

The period in American history (1840s) marked by mass migration westward, primarily to California and Oregon, in search of new opportunities.

A 2,000-mile journey taken by wagon trains heading west, spanning from the eastern states to the Pacific Coast.

Large covered wagons used during the westward migration, designed to carry passengers, supplies, and livestock. They played a crucial role in facilitating the movement of people and goods.

The catastrophic journey of a wagon train led by George Donner in 1846, where the group became stranded in the Sierra Nevada Mountains due to heavy snowfall and faced extreme hardship and even cannibalism.

The mountainous pass in the Sierra Nevada range, made infamous by the Donner Party's tragic experience, as they became stranded there due to severe winter weather.

A major conflict in Texas (1835-1836), where Americans revolted against Mexican rule, seeking independence and leading to the establishment of the Republic of Texas.

Significant battle fought in February 1836 during the Texas Revolution, where Mexican forces besieged a fortified mission defending Texan independence. The Alamo's defenders fought valiantly but were ultimately defeated, becoming a symbol of Texan courage and sacrifice.

This event marked a turning point in American expansion westward. The American defeat of Mexico and the acquisition of Texas and California paved the way for further westward expansion and settlement.

A 13-day battle in 1836, where Texan forces led by William Barret Travis, James Bowie, and Davy Crockett defended the Alamo in San Antonio against a larger Mexican army under General Antonio López de Santa Anna.

The decisive battle in the Texas Revolution in 1836, where Texan forces led by Sam Houston defeated Mexican forces and captured Santa Anna.

The war between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1847, primarily caused by US annexation of Texas and disputed territories.

American General Zachary Taylor, known for his rugged individualism and his victory in the Mexican-American War.

The Mexican President who was defeated by Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto.

The first President of the Republic of Texas, a key figure in the Texas Revolution.

The inventor of the Bowie knife, a significant figure in the defense of the Alamo.

The Mexican Cession was a significant land transfer from Mexico to the United States following the Mexican-American War. It encompassed vast territories in the southwest, setting the stage for American westward expansion.

Driven by the discovery of gold in 1848, the California Gold Rush witnessed a massive influx of people, fueled by dreams of wealth and opportunity. The gold rush transformed California, its economy, and the trajectory of the American West.

The Gold Rush had a profound impact on the development of California. San Francisco became a booming city, and the influx of people created a dynamic society with a mix of fortunes and hardships, shaping California's future.

The 1830 Indian Removal Act, championed by President Andrew Jackson, forced Native American tribes from their lands, relocating them to reservations. This policy caused immense suffering and is known for the tragic ''Trail of Tears” where many Native Americans died.

The Mississippi River was a vital artery, connecting the American West to the East and allowing for the transport of goods and settlers. It served as the primary mode of transportation, facilitating westward expansion and trade.

Flatboats, powered by poles, were the initial mode of transport for farmers moving goods down the Mississippi River. These simple crafts played a crucial role in the early development of trade and agriculture in the West.

Abraham Lincoln's early life was marked by hardship, resilience, and westward migration. Facing challenges like his mother's death, the family's constant moves, and life in a log cabin, Lincoln's childhood experiences shaped his character and his understanding of America's expansion.

The United States agreed to pay Mexico $15 million and assume responsibility for debts owed to U.S. citizens by Mexico. This payment was part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which officially ended the Mexican-American War in 1848 and facilitated the transfer of vast territories to the United States.