Texas History quizlet – Flashcards
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What is Manifest Destiny?
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The idea that the United States should expand from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
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Why was President Van Buren reluctant to annex Texas?
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because of concern that such a move would anger Mexico and start a war.
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Why did the U.S. Senate reject the 1844 Annexation Treaty?
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Texas would come in as a slave state and upset the balance in Congress
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By what method did Texas join the United States? How was this method easier to approve than a treaty?
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Texas joined the United States by a joint resolution. This was easier to approve than a treaty because it only require a majority vote. A treaty requires a 2/3 vote of approval.
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Why did Americans vote for James K. Polk in the election of 1844?
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They favored annexation of Texas.
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According to the Constitution of 1845, who was allowed to vote in Texas?
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white and Tejano males.
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List the three political parties in the United States and tell what each group supported.
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a. Democrats - supported farmers and workers, annexation of Texas and slavery b. Whigs - supported businesses, were against annexation, and opposed expanding slavery c. Know-Nothings - supported nativism, opposed immigration
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Which political party was the most popular in Texas?
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Democrats
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Where did the United States move Native Americans?
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to reservations in Indian Territory
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What did the U.S. establish to protect settlers along the frontier?
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The U.S. established a line of forts from Brownsville to the Red River.
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Who was the first governor of Texas?
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James Pinckney Henderson
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Where did the U.S. claim the border between Texas and Mexico was located? Where did Mexico claim it was located?
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Rio Grande Nueces River
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Why did the U.S. declare war on Mexico in 1846? Explain.
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They two countries could not agree on the southern border of Texas. Mexico claimed it to be the Nueces River. The U.S. claimed it to be the Rio Grande. Fighting began in the disputed territory between the two rivers and the U.S. Congress declared war as a result.
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What were the terms of the Compromise of 1850? Be sure to include the Pearce Plan.
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Compromise of 1850 - California enters the U.S. as a free state, voters were allowed to decide the issue of slavery for themselves in the New Mexico and Utah territories Pearce Plan - Texas gave up its claim to New Mexico in exchange for $10 million to pay off their public debt; this plan established the current borders of Texas
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Where was the last major battle in the U.S.-Mexican War? Why was this location significant?
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The last major battle was the Battle of Chapultepec Castle. It was fought at a hilltop fort and was the last major stronghold protecting Mexico City. After winning the battle, U.S. forces occupied Mexico City.
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Who led U.S. troops in the U.S.-Mexican War?
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General Zachary Taylor
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What treaty finally ended the U.S.-Mexican War? What were the terms of that treaty?
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The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the U.S.-Mexican War on February 2, 1848. In this treaty Mexico officially recognized Texas as part of the United States and accepted the Rio Grande as its border. Mexico also gave the U.S. the land known as the Mexican Cession.
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Who was John Slidell and what was he sent to do? What happened when he arrived?
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John Slidell was a secret envoy sent by President James K. Polk to negotiate the purchase of the disputed territory between the rivers, as well as the area that is now California, Arizona, and New Mexico. When he arrived Mexican officials refused to meet with him.
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What did the United States achieve after signing the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?
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Manifest Destiny
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How was Texas affected by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?
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Mexico officially recognized Texas as part of the United States and accepted the Rio Grande as its border.
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According to the 1850 census, how many households in Texas came from Southern states?
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3 out of every 4
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Who made up the largest group in Texas (after Anglo Americans) prior to the Civil War?
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African Americans
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What was the largest group of European immigrants to come to Texas?
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Germasn
