The debate over slavery in the Mexican Cession

The debate over slavery in the Mexican Cession

A) threatened to split national politics along North-South lines.
B) nearly resulted in the return of the territory to Mexico.
C) resulted in the formation of the Republican party.
D) resulted in strong hostility to further expansionism.
E) all of the above.

Answer: A

The Wilmot Proviso, if adopted, would have

The Wilmot Proviso, if adopted, would have

A) prevented the taking of any territory from Mexico.
B) required California to enter the Union as a slave state.
C) overturned the Fugitive Slave Law.
D) prohibited slavery in any territory acquired in the Mexican War.
E) all of the above.

Answer: D

The United States' victory in the Mexican War resulted in

The United States' victory in the Mexican War resulted in

A) renewed controversy over the issue of extending slavery into the territories.
B) a possible split in the Whig and Democrat parties over slavery.
C) the cession by Mexico of an enormous amount of land to the United States.
D) a rush of settlers to new American territory in California.
E) all of the above.

Answer: E

In order to maintain the two great political parties as vital bonds of national unity, party leaders

In order to maintain the two great political parties as vital bonds of national unity, party leaders

A) decided to ban slavery from all United States territories.
B) decided to allow slavery into all United States territories.
C) avoided public discussion of slavery.
D) banished abolitionists from membership in either national party.
E) worked to make third parties almost impossible.

Answer: C

The Californios' political ascendancy in California ended

The Californios' political ascendancy in California ended

A) with the arrival of Franciscan friars.
B) as a result of the influx of Anglo golddiggers.
C) when Mexico gained control of the area in 1826.
D) when agriculture became more profitable than mining.
E) when the U. S. government made English mandatory.

Answer: B

When the Mexican government secularized authority in California,

When the Mexican government secularized authority in California,

A) missionaries gained power.
B) slavery became an accepted practice.
C) convicts brought in by Spain were expelled.
D) California's Indians received better treatment.
E) Californios eventually gained control of the land.

Answer: E

The Spanish Franciscan missionaries treated the native inhabitants of California

The Spanish Franciscan missionaries treated the native inhabitants of California

A) according to the principles of their founder St. Francis.
B) well but refused to convert them to Christianity.
C) very harshly.
D) better than they treated their African slaves.
E) as capable of civilization if educated.

Answer: C

The first Old World Europeans to come to California were

The first Old World Europeans to come to California were

A) Russians.
B) French.
C) Dutch.
D) English.
E) Spanish.

Answer: E

The largest single addition to American territory was

The largest single addition to American territory was

A) the Louisiana Purchase.
B) the Mexican Cession.
C) the Oregon Country.
D) the Old Northwest.
E) Alaska.

Answer: B

The Wilmot Proviso, introduced into Congress during the Mexican War, declared that

The Wilmot Proviso, introduced into Congress during the Mexican War, declared that

A) Mexican territory would not be annexed to the United States.
B) slavery would be banned from all territories that Mexico ceded to the United States.
C) the United States should annex all of Mexico.
D) the United States should have to pay Mexico a financial indemnity for having provoked the war.
E) slavery in the territories would be determined by popular sovereignty.

Answer: B

The Wilmot Proviso

The Wilmot Proviso

A) symbolized the burning issue of slavery in the territories.
B) gained House and Senate approval in 1846.
C) settled once and for all the issue of slavery in California.
D) allowed slavery in the territory taken from Mexico in 1848.
E) left open the issue of slavery in New Mexico and Utah.

Answer: A

Those people most opposed to President James K. Polk's expansionist program were the

Those people most opposed to President James K. Polk's expansionist program were the

A) western Democrats.
B) antislavery forces.
C) Senate Democrats.
D) supporters of Nicholas P. Trist.
E) proslavery Whigs.

Answer: B

The terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo ending the Mexican War included

The terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo ending the Mexican War included

A) a guarantee of the rights of Mexicans living in New Mexico.
B) United States annexation of all the territory south of the Rio Grande.
C) the banning of slavery from all territory ceded to the United States.
D) a requirement that Mexico pay $3.25 million in damages to the United States.
E) United States payment of $15 million for the cession of northern Mexico.

Answer: E

Match each American officer below with his theater of command in the Mexican War.

Match each American officer below with his theater of command in the Mexican War.

A. Stephen W. Kearny
B. Zachary Taylor
C. Winfield Scott
D. John C. Frémont
1. northern Mexico
2. California
3. Santa Fe
4. Mexico City


A) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
B) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
C) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
D) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
E) A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3

Answer: B

When the war with Mexico began, President James K. Polk

When the war with Mexico began, President James K. Polk

A) advocated taking all of Mexico.
B) believed the British would intervene on behalf of the Americans.
C) hoped to fight a limited war, ending with the conquest of California.
D) supported a large-scale conflict.
E) denied any intention of expanding slavery.

Answer: C

One goal of Mexico in its 1846-1848 war with the United States was to

One goal of Mexico in its 1846-1848 war with the United States was to

A) demonstrate the strength of Latino culture.
B) regain control of Texas.
C) capture slaves and take them back to Mexico.
D) force America to make good on unpaid claims of damages to Mexican citizens.
E) free black slaves.

Answer: E

During the Mexican War, the Polk administration was called on several times to respond to "spot" resolutions indicating where American blood had been shed to provoke the war. The resolutions were frequently introduced by

During the Mexican War, the Polk administration was called on several times to respond to "spot" resolutions indicating where American blood had been shed to provoke the war. The resolutions were frequently introduced by

A) Abraham Lincoln.
B) Henry Clay.
C) Robert Walker.
D) David Wilmot.
E) Lewis Cass.

Answer: A

President Polk's claim that "American blood [had been shed] on the American soil" referred to news of an armed clash between Mexican and American troops near

President Polk's claim that "American blood [had been shed] on the American soil" referred to news of an armed clash between Mexican and American troops near

A) San Francisco.
B) the Nueces River.
C) Santa Fe.
D) the Rio Grande.
E) San Antonio.

Answer: D

In 1846 the United States went to war with Mexico for all of the following reasons except

In 1846 the United States went to war with Mexico for all of the following reasons except

A) the ideology of Manifest Destiny.
B) the deaths of American soldiers at the hands of Mexicans.
C) the desire to gain payment for damage claims against the Mexican government.
D) the impulse to satisfy those asking for "spot" resolutions.
E) Polk's desire to acquire California.

Answer: D

Arrange the following in chronological order: (A) Bear Flag revolt, (B) Slidell mission rejected, (C) declaration of war on Mexico, (D) American troops ordered to the Rio Grande Valley.

Arrange the following in chronological order: (A) Bear Flag revolt, (B) Slidell mission rejected, (C) declaration of war on Mexico, (D) American troops ordered to the Rio Grande Valley.

A) B, D, C, A
B) A, C, B, D
C) D, B, A, C
D) C, A, D, B
E) A, D, C, B

Answer: A