Mexican Borderlands and Texas Settlement

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Questions and Answers

What was a key outcome of the initial military actions in California during the Mexican War?

Sloat was repelled by Mexican forces.

California was declared part of the United States. (correct)

California remained a contested territory until 1850.

Sloat established a military dictatorship in California.

What role did Nicholas Trist play in the conclusion of the Mexican War?

He negotiated directly with Santa Anna for peace terms.

He was responsible for drafting the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. (correct)

He commanded the Pacific fleet during the war.

He led the American forces at the Battle of Buena Vista.

Which American general was notable for victories at Palo Alto and Monterrey?

Stephen Kearny

Zachary Taylor (correct)

Winfield Scott

Commodore John Sloat

What was the significance of the fall of Mexico City in the context of the Mexican War?

It effectively ended the war. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo accomplish for the United States?

It allowed for the expansion of American territory significantly. Signup and view all the answers

What underlying belief was part of the expansionist doctrine according to O'Sullivan?

The superiority of the Anglo-Saxon race Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following benefits was NOT mentioned as an advantage of a continental United States?

Improved agricultural output Signup and view all the answers

How did supporters of manifest destiny justify their actions?

By asserting they had divine approval Signup and view all the answers

Which two groups found reasons to support the concept of manifest destiny?

Proponents of slavery and abolitionists Signup and view all the answers

What was 'manifest destiny' primarily thought to safeguard according to proponents?

Democracy Signup and view all the answers

What motivation did O'Sullivan attribute to the idea of expansion across the continent?

The development of liberty and self-government Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best captures the sentiment expressed about the agricultural character of the United States?

It should stay true to the Jeffersonian agricultural tradition. Signup and view all the answers

What event marked the first confrontation of the Texas Revolution?

The defense of the Alamo Signup and view all the answers

Which two notable figures died during the Battle of the Alamo?

Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the Battle of San Jacinto?

Santa Anna was captured and forced to sign a treaty. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Mexican government claim regarding the boundary of Texas?

It was aligned with the Nueces River. Signup and view all the answers

Despite the treaty recognizing Texas's sovereignty, how did Santa Anna respond post-release?

He reneged on the treaty. Signup and view all the answers

Who became the first president of the Republic of Texas?

Sam Houston Signup and view all the answers

What were the diplomatic recognitions received by the Republic of Texas?

United States, Great Britain, and France Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary trade route established to connect the U.S. with New Mexico?

The Santa Fe Trail Signup and view all the answers

What was the response of the U.S. regarding Texas's petition for annexation in 1837?

It was refused. Signup and view all the answers

Which route did the pioneer families take to reach the Willamette Valley?

Platte River, South Pass of the Rocky Mountains, Snake and Columbia Rivers Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for U.S. interest in California during the Mexican-American War?

San Francisco's natural harbor Signup and view all the answers

What event sparked the Mexican-American War?

The annexation of the Republic of Texas Signup and view all the answers

Who commanded the U.S. troops that were ordered into Texas by President Polk?

Zachary Taylor Signup and view all the answers

What was the Bear Flag Revolt?

A declaration of California as an independent nation Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of John Slidell's proposal to Mexico?

It was rejected by the Mexican government Signup and view all the answers

Which of these best characterizes President Polk's approach to the Mexican-American War?

An eagerness to expand U.S. territory Signup and view all the answers

Which military leader supported the Bear Flag Revolt?

John C. Frémont Signup and view all the answers

Why did Polk send troops to the Rio Grande?

To enforce the annexation of Texas Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant action taken by American forces in California in 1842?

Landing at Monterey under false pretenses Signup and view all the answers

What was the effect of Spanish rule on foreign shipping to California from 1769 to 1821?

Foreign shipping to California was effectively off limits. Signup and view all the answers

Which group was primarily responsible for the initial American overland exploration into California?

Fur trappers and traders Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred to California lands in 1834?

Lands were secularized from Catholic missions. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the governor of California in 1845, involved in power struggles?

Pio Pico Signup and view all the answers

What was a major factor for dissatisfaction with the Mexican government in California during the 1830s?

Frequent changes of provincial governors caused instability. Signup and view all the answers

What initiated 'Oregon fever' in the 1840s?

Rich agricultural lands were discovered in Oregon. Signup and view all the answers

What route did American settlers primarily use to reach Oregon in the 1840s?

The California Trail Signup and view all the answers

What was one consequence of California's rapid population growth during the early 1840s?

Desire for annexation to the United States. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary product exchanged by New England merchants with California agents?

American-made products Signup and view all the answers

What role did marriage play in the interactions between American merchants and Californios?

It facilitated cultural exchange and trade relationships. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mexican Borderlands and Oregon

Mexico, independent since 1821, faced political instability. Arguments existed regarding centralist vs. federalist governance.
Northern Mexican provinces (Texas to California) were sparsely populated and difficult to defend. Mexico encouraged American settlement and trade.
Americans were attracted to the fertile farmland in the Oregon Country during the 1840s. This prompted significant migration to the Pacific Northwest.

Settlement of Texas

In the final years of Spanish colonial rule in Mexico, Spain permitted American entrepreneurs to bring settlers into Texas.
This agreement, renewed in 1825, required settlers to become Mexican citizens and adopt Catholicism.
Entrepreneurs known as empresarios (by the Mexicans) successfully facilitated American settlement in Texas.
By 1830, about 20,000 Americans (mostly southern farmers) and 1,000 slaves lived in Texas, attracted by the cheap land and ideal conditions for cotton cultivation.

Texas's Independence

In 1834, General Antonio López de Santa Anna assumed power in Mexico, aiming to exert greater control over Texas.
Santa Anna's attempts to enforce centralist policies led to conflict.
The Texas Revolution commenced, with American Texans declaring independence in March 1836.
The Battle of the Alamo was a significant defeat for Texan forces.
The Battle of Goliad resulted in the execution of many Texan prisoners.
The Battle of San Jacinto, in April 1836, turned the tide, resulting in Santa Anna's capture and the recognition of Texas's independence.
Despite Santa Anna's later repudiation, Texas was established as a sovereign nation.

New Mexico and California

Mexico opened Santa Fe to US trade in 1821. This led to significant overland trade routes like the Santa Fe Trail.
The Santa Fe Trail demonstrated that the Great Plains were not an insurmountable obstacle to expansion.
Mexico encouraged US trade with California, despite prior restrictions during Spanish rule. American merchants established trade in hides and tallow.
Early American settlers and traders, such as Jedediah Smith and James Pattie, reached California beginning in the 1820s.

California Trail and the Bear Flag Republic

Two main routes for settlers emerged: the Old Spanish Trail and the California Trail.
Wealthy Californios (Californian Mexicans) and a small number of American settlers owned large estates (ranchos).
By the 1840s, discontent with the Mexican government, including rapidly changing governors, grew in California leading to a desire for independence.
A short-lived American republic, the Bear Flag Republic, was declared in 1846.

War with Mexico

Annexing the Republic of Texas created conflict with Mexico, ending diplomatic relations.
US President Polk initiated steps to purchase New Mexico and California, and settle the US-Mexico border.
Fighting began in April 1846, on the Rio Grande.
President Polk asserted that Mexican forces had shed American blood on American soil, justifying war.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848, ceded territories like California, New Mexico, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming to the US. The US also assumed responsibility for Mexican debts owed to US citizens.

Politics of Expansion

During the 1820s and 1830s, American politics primarily focused on domestic issues.
In the 1840s, foreign policy, particularly expansionism, became a more significant political concern.
President Tyler, the short-term successor to President Harrison, faced opposition within his own party (Whigs) when he sought to annex Texas.
James K. Polk, the Democratic president succeeding Tyler, positioned expansion as a key issue of the 1844 presidential campaign.

The Election of 1844

The election of 1844 was pivotal in the context of American expansionism.
Candidates, Henry Clay and James K. Polk, took contrasting standpoints on the issue of the annexation of Texas.

Settling the Oregon Question

The US and Great Britain had jointly occupied the Oregon Territory. However, this joint occupation was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.
Growing US settlement and the desire for a clear border contributed to Polk's determination to resolve border disputes.
The dispute over Oregon was eventually settled peacefully, establishing the 49th parallel, which remains as the boundary today between the US and Canada.

The Rise of Manifest Destiny

The concept of Manifest Destiny, articulated in 1845, provided a justification for expansion westward.
This belief asserted that the US was destined to expand across North America.
Manifest Destiny offered a rationale for acquiring new territories and spreading democracy and American civilization.

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Description

Explore the historical events surrounding the Mexican Borderlands and the settlement of Texas during the 1820s to 1840s. This quiz covers the political dynamics in Mexico, the influx of American settlers, and the roles of empresarios in facilitating migration. Test your knowledge on the impacts of these migrations in shaping the American West.