U.S. History: Manifest Destiny & Immigration Patterns

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Questions and Answers

What was the main goal of supporters of 'Manifest Destiny' in the 1840s?

The destiny of American settlers was to expand and move across the continent to spread their traditions and their institutions.

In the 1840s, thousands of Irish immigrants came to the United States seeking to escape?

A famine caused by the failure of a staple food crop.

What did the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, the annexation of Texas in 1845, and the U.S.-Mexican War of 1846 have in common?

All increased the territory of the United States.

As a result of the Oregon Treaty, the United States achieved its goal of?

Securing western territory. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the U.S. purchase Gadsden Territory?

It provided land necessary for a southern transcontinental railroad. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the economies of western territories develop so differently from the economies of the Northeast and South?

Western territories had limited land and a large immigrant population. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Northwest Ordinance considered a historical milestone?

It established a method for admitting new states to the union. Signup and view all the answers

What is a pull factor that accounted for much of Chinese immigration to the United States in the mid-1800s?

An economic boom in the West. Signup and view all the answers

What was the economic impact of the Transcontinental Railroad on the United States in the late nineteenth century?

It led to economic growth by transporting products and people. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Americans seek to obtain control of New Orleans in 1803?

So that western farmers could ship goods down the Mississippi River. Signup and view all the answers

During the 1840s, why were many abolitionists against the annexation of new western territory?

Because it could lead to the federal admission of new slave states. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristics were shared by the Irish workers who helped build the Erie Canal and the Chinese laborers who helped construct the Transcontinental Railroad?

They were both immigrant groups involved in large infrastructure projects. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Manifest Destiny'?

The belief that the expansion of the U.S. throughout the American continents was justified and inevitable. Signup and view all the answers

What did Andrew Jackson's leadership in the 1820s and 1830s lead to?

National fame as a military hero and becoming the leader of the new Democratic Party. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Southern states oppose federal tariffs in the early to mid-1800s?

Because it would hurt their economy and risk their livelihood. Signup and view all the answers

What did President Andrew Jackson use the spoils system for?

To reward his friends and supporters with government jobs. Signup and view all the answers

What led to increased voter participation starting with the election of Andrew Jackson in 1828?

The end of property requirements for voting by many states. Signup and view all the answers

What was President Andrew Jackson's policy towards Native American Indians?

To remove them through the Indian Removal Act. Signup and view all the answers

What was President Jackson's response to the nullification crisis?

He was angry. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason Northerners favored a high tariff?

To help them compete against the British. Signup and view all the answers

Which political leader argued that states could nullify federal laws?

John C. Calhoun. Signup and view all the answers

Which reason best explains why the doctrine of nullification became popular in the South?

The 1828 tariff hit the South especially hard economically. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Supreme Court case Worcester v. Georgia about?

That states did not have the right to impose regulations on Native American land. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Manifest Destiny and Territorial Expansion

"Manifest Destiny" was a belief in the 1840s that American settlers were destined to expand across the continent, spreading traditions and enlightening other nations.
The Louisiana Purchase in 1803, annexation of Texas in 1845, and the U.S.-Mexican War in 1846 significantly increased U.S. territory, often involving land taken from Mexico.
The Oregon Treaty enabled the U.S. to secure western territories, reinforcing boundaries and influencing settlement patterns.

Immigration Patterns and Economic Changes

During the 1840s, thousands of Irish immigrants fled to the U.S. to escape a devastating famine caused by crop failures.
An economic boom in the West acted as a pull factor, attracting many Chinese immigrants in the mid-1800s.
Western territories faced economic development challenges due to limited land and a high influx of immigrants, contrasting with the economies of the Northeast and South.

Legislative Milestones

The Northwest Ordinance established a systematic method for admitting new states to the Union, shaping the governance of emerging territories.
The purchase of Gadsden Territory in 1853 provided land essential for a southern transcontinental railroad and addressed disputes post-Mexican-American War.

Impact of Infrastructure

The Transcontinental Railroad significantly contributed to economic growth by efficiently transporting goods and people across the nation.
Control of New Orleans was crucial for western farmers for shipping products down the Mississippi River, facilitating trade.

Many abolitionists opposed the annexation of new Western territories due to concerns about the addition of new slave states impacting the balance of power.
The "Big Four" were prominent leaders (Charles Crocker, Leland Stanford, Collins Huntington, Mark Hopkins) associated with the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Political Developments and Policies

Andrew Jackson's military leadership in the 1820s and 1830s established him as a national hero and the founder of the Democratic Party.
Southern states opposed federal tariffs, fearing economic harm and threats to their livelihoods, while Northerners supported tariffs to protect against British competition.
Jackson implemented the spoils system, rewarding political allies with government jobs.

Native American Relations

Jackson's Indian Removal Act aimed to relocate Native Americans, reflecting his administration's controversial policies towards indigenous populations.
The nullification crisis arose when John C. Calhoun claimed states could negate federal laws, particularly after the economically burdensome 1828 tariff targeted the Southern economy.

Supreme Court Decisions

The Supreme Court case Worcester v. Georgia affirmed that states could not impose regulations on Native American lands, highlighting conflicts between state and federal authority.

Election and Voter Participation

The 1828 election of Andrew Jackson led to increased voter participation, attributed to the removal of property requirements for voting in many states.

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Description

Explore the pivotal events of the 1840s in U.S. history, focusing on the concept of Manifest Destiny and the surge of immigration during this period. Learn how territorial expansion and economic changes influenced patterns of settlement and demographic shifts. This quiz covers key milestones that shaped the nation.