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143 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Why did Americans believe that the U.S. should expand from ocean to ocean? |
-Always felt the need to expand -Created new markets for business -Population increased-immigration -The west became an escape from the panic 1837 -Americans wanted to expand our form of govt. |
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What was the population of America in 1810? |
7 million |
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What was the population of america in 1850? |
28 million |
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Why was settlement of the west slow? |
Many people believed that the West was a wasteland. |
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What was the West originally labeled |
The Great American Desert |
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The land labeled as the Great American Desert is actually what land today? |
half of the region is the Great Plains (the best farmland in the world) |
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Who was in dispute over Oregon? |
Since the 1820's U.S. and England both had claims to the Oregon Territory |
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What happened in the 1840's in regards to Oregon? |
Many Americans were moving to Oregon, which strengthened the claim by the U.S. |
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Why were many americans moving to Oregon in the 1840's? |
-Panic of 1837 -There were stories of abundance of rich soil and fur |
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How did the Americans get out West? |
Oregon Trail and Santa Fe Trail |
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Where was the Oregon Trail? |
It ran from Independence, Missouri to present day Washington. |
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How did the americans travel to the west? |
Conestoga Wagons- covered wagons that were pulled by 4-6 oxen and averaged 2-3 mph |
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Where was the Santa Fe Trail |
It ran from St. Louis to Santa Fe |
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When did Mexico win there independence? |
1821 |
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Why did Mexico welcome americans into their country? |
So the americans would bring their money which would stimulate their economy |
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Why did Americans usually travel in caravans? |
They would bring goods that could be sold for high profits. |
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Why did trade drop off in the 1830's? |
U.S. -Mexican relations became strained |
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Who are the Mormons and what is this an example of? |
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is an example of Manifest Destiny |
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Who is the founder of the Mormons? |
Joseph Smith |
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How did Joseph Smith start the Mormon religion? |
He had a "vision" in 1830 that God wanted him to write a 3rd testament to the Bible. |
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Where did the Mormon religion start? |
Up-State New York |
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How did Joseph Smith start the Mormon religion? |
He wrote the Book of Mormon and had about 1,000 followers. |
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What do Mormons believe? |
They believe in Christianity, but feel that God wanted Joseph Smith to add to the Bible |
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is one of the few religions to do what? |
To have started in the U.S. |
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Why did the Mormons move from New York and where did they go? |
They were being persecuted so they went to Kirtland, Ohio (right outside of Clevelandf) |
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Where did the Mormons move to after being persecuted in Ohio? |
Nauvoo, Illinois- where they felt they were accepted |
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How many followers did the Mormons have after being in Illinois for 5 years? |
15,000 followers |
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What changed in the Mormon religion in 1844? |
Joseph Smith claimed that Mormons were allowed to have more than one wife (polygamy) |
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Why was Joseph Smith arrested? |
Negative stories were appearing in local newspapers and Smith was charged with destroying a local printing press |
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What happened to Joseph Smith in Jail? |
An angry mob broke into the jail and killed Smith and his brother |
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Who became the leader of the Mormons after Joseph Smith |
Brigham Young |
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How many wives did Brigham Young have? |
48 wives and 66 children |
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Where did the Mormons move to in 1844 from Illinois? |
They moved across the Great Plains and sellted by the Great Salt Lake. |
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How did the Mormons react to dry infertile land? |
They began an irrigation system and their crops grew well |
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What happened to the Mormon's crops in 1848? |
hordes of crickets descended and ate their crops |
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Why is there a monument to the Sea Gulls in Salt Lake City? |
Legend states that Sea Gulls appeared and would eat crickets, drink the salt water, vomit, then go eat more crickets. |
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When was the Texan War for Independence? |
1835-1836 |
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What did Mexico do in 1829? |
They outlawed slavery, but they did not enforce the law immediately and this would cause many problems for them. |
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In 1830 how many Americans were living in Texas that owned slaves? |
20,000 americans |
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What were the basic differences between Mexicans and Texans? |
Mexicans- were Spanish and Catholics
Texans- were English and Protestant |
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Who offered to buy Texas and for how much money? |
J. Q. Adams offered $1million and
Jackson offered $5 million
Both times Mexico did not even consider the offers |
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What did Stephen Austin do in 1833? |
He went to Mexico City with a petition that would allow Texas to be a separate state within Mexico |
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What did Mexico do in 1830? |
Mexico passed a law that closed immigration between the U.S. and Mexico.
They also sent troops into Texas to make sure that laws were being obeyed.
There weren't enough troops to patrol the border, so americans kept coming into Texas. |
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What happened with Stephen Austin's petition? |
The petition was rejected and Austin was arrested on his way home for treason and was in prison for 18 months |
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What was a main problem of the Mexican govt.? |
It changed drastically every time a new leader took over.
Revolutions took place every few years, so the Mexican govt. was very difficult to negotiate with. |
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When was the battle of the Alamo? |
February 23 - March 6, 1836 |
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Who was Santa Anna? |
The president of Mexico, who was a general in the Mexican army who had risen to power. |
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What did Santa Anna do in 1836? |
He marched 6,000 troops into Texas and led an attack on 187 Texans at an abondoned mission called the Alamo |
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Who was leading the Texans at the Alamo? |
W. B. Travis |
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Why did the Texans have a great advantage at the Alamo? |
The Mexicans had to cross the San Antonio River, which forms a semi-circle around the mission. |
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How long did the battle at the Alamo last? |
13 days |
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How did the battle at the Alamo end? |
The Texans ran out of ammunition and all 187 Texans were killed |
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Who is famous for being killed at the Alamo? |
Davy Crockett and the Bowie brothers.
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Who were the only American survivors of the Alamo? |
One of the wives, Susana Dickenson, her infant son and two slaves |
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How many Mexicans died at the Alamo? |
about 1,600 |
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What did Santa Anna do to the bodies of the dead Texans after the Alamo? |
He had his men pour oil on them and burned them. |
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What happened at Goliad, Texas on March 27, 1836? |
About 400 Texan citizens surrendered to Santa Anna |
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Where was Goliad, Texas? |
about 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and about 150-200 miles North of the Rio Grande River |
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What did Santa Anna do with the Texans at Goliad, Texas? |
He had his men massacre them |
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What was the reaction to the Alamo and massacre at Goliad? |
The Texans united and Americans gave support by sending supplies and going to Texas to help fight. |
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What were the rally phrases the Texans and Americans used to prepare to fight Santa Anna? |
"Remember the Alamo", Remember Goliad", and "Death to Santa Anna" |
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Who was the leader of the small Texan army? |
Sam Houston |
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Why did Sam Houston lead his men East? |
He knew the Texan army could not fight the Mexicans head to head so he was trying to find a place where he could lead a surprise attack |
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Where and when did the Texans attack the Mexican army? |
At San Jacinto (near present day Houston) during siesta hour |
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What was the result of the Texan attack on the Mexican army? |
They wiped out the Mexican army and captured Santa Anna |
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What did the Texans do with Santa Anna when they captured him? |
They forced him to sign 2 treaties:
-Agreeing to withdraw all Mexican troops from Texas -To recognize the Rio Grande River as the Southern Border of Texas |
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What happened after the Texans released Santa Anna? |
Mexico refused to recognize either treaty |
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Why Mexico upset with the U.S.? |
because they were providing soldiers and supplies to Texas |
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Who first recognized Texas as an independent country and when? |
Great Britain and France in 1836 |
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When did the U.S. recognize Texas as an independent country? |
1837 |
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How long was Texas an independent country? |
From 1836-1845 |
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How did Texas run their country? |
-Their constitution was similar to the U.S. constitution -They allowed slavery |
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Why were England and France both allies to Texas? |
They hoped they could buy cheap cotton and avoid the high U.S. tariff. |
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Why is Texas called the Lone Star State? |
When they were a country, their national flag had one star on it |
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What and when was the Webster-Ashburton Treaty?
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Established the U.S. / Canadian border in 1842. |
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What dispute did the Webster -Ashburton Treaty settle? |
The dispute between the U.S. and England over land in present day Maine and Minnesota. |
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Who negotiated the Webster - Ashburton Treaty? |
Daniel Webster and Lord Ashburton |
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Why did the Webster - Ashburton Treaty not mention Oregon? |
Neither country wanted to rush into an agreement over this territory. |
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Which election centered around Western Expansion? |
The Election of 1844 |
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What were the parties represented during the election of 1844? |
The whig party, Democrats, and The Liberty party |
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Who represented the whig party in the election of 1844? |
Henry Clay -Kentucky |
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Who represented the Liberty party in the Election of 1844 |
James Birney- New york |
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Who represented the Democrats in the election of 1844? |
James K. Polk-Tennessee |
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Why did the Democrats not run Van Buren in the election of 1844? |
He said that he was against the immediate annexation of Texas and lost the support of the Southern Democrats. |
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Why did the Southern Democrats want the annexation of Texas? |
They wanted Texas to be a slave state. |
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Who could not get enough Northern support to run as a Democrat in the election of 1844? |
John Calhoun |
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The Liberty party was the first party to do what? |
Speak against slavery, the party died out |
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Who supported the Liberty party and what was the result of this support? |
The New York whigs supported the Liberty party causing Clay to lose New York |
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What was Clay's stance on the Texas issue? |
He said that he was for annexation of Texas if all sections of the country agreed to it and if we could avoid going to war. (Very indecisive) |
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What was Polk's stance on the Texas issue? |
He was definitely in favor of annexation and the Democrat's platform called for the "re-annexation of Texas and the re-occupation of Oregon.
This showed how the democrats were for expansion. |
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What was the Birney's stance on the Texas issue? |
The Liberty Party did not take a stand on expansion, choosing instead to concentrate on Slavery. |
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What were the results of the election of 1844? |
Pop. vote Electoral vote
Polk 1,338,000 170 Clay 1,300,000 105 Birney 62,000 0 |
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What did Polk gain in the election of 1844? |
He gained Texas, Mexican session, and Oregon country. |
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Why was Polk considered one of our best Presidents? |
He was pivotal in the expansion of the U.S. |
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How old was Polk when he became president? |
49( the youngest president at the time) |
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What was Polk's personality like? |
He was a workaholic and only ate dinner outside the whitehouse one time for a non-govt. function during his presidency |
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How many terms did Polk serve as President? |
one |
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When did Polk die? |
A few months after leaving office, people believed he worked himself to death.
His hair turned white while he was president |
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What was Polk's nickname? |
Young Hickory |
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Who was Polk good friends with? |
Jackson |
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What was the main accomplishment of Polk's presidency? |
Land Acquisition:
U.S. acquired Texas in 1845 Us. acquired Oregon in 1846 U.S. acquired Mexican Cession in 1848 |
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When was the Mexican War? |
1845-1847 |
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What were the reasons for the Mexican War? |
Mexico was mad about the annexation of Texas
Boundary dispute-Mexico claimed the southern border of Texas was the Neuces River, while Americans claimed it was the Rio Grande.
Mexican govt. changed hands so often it was difficult to negotiate with them. |
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Why did Polk decide to take the Mexican cession by force? |
He offered $30 million but the Mexicans refused. |
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Who did Polk send to toward the Mexican army? |
He sent Zachary Taylor with 4,000 men to the Rio Grande. |
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Why did Polk send Taylor and the soldiers to the Mexican army? |
He knew that this would provoke the Mexican army and they attacked the Americans. |
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When did the Mexican army attack Taylor and his soldiers. |
April 25, 1846.
16 Americans were killed or wounded |
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How did Polk react when Mexico attacked the Americans? |
He went to Congress and said that we must declare war because of the shedding of "American blood on American soil"
A patriotic congress voted overwhelmingly to go to war. |
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When did the U.S. invade Mexico? |
From the summer of 1846 to the summer of 1847. |
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Who led the U.S. invasion into Mexico? |
Taylor
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What was Taylor's nickname after he defeated Santa Anna at Buena Vista? |
"Old Rough and Ready" |
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Who lead the American army into Mexico City? |
General Winfield Scott
He led 14,000 men from 200 ships on the landing at Vera Cruz. |
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What was the "Long March" and who led it? |
General Stephen Kearney led the "Long March" from Ft. Leavenworth to Santa Fe .
He captured Santa Fe without firing a shot. |
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What were the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)? |
Mexico recognized the Rio Grande River as the southern boundary of Texas
The U.S. gained the Mexican Cession
Mexico received $15 million |
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Why did the U. S. pay Mexico $15 million? |
They were still our neighbor |
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What was becoming the big debate issue? |
Should slavery spread to into the territories? |
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What were the 2 arguments about slavery spreading to the territories? |
Could slavery be used in other capacities, such as ranch hands or minors.
Slavery could be profitable in future territories such as Cuba. |
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Who were the candidates for the election of 1848? |
Whigs- Zachary Taylor (Vir) (Mexican war general)
Democrats- Lewis Cass (Mich.)-colorless, has very little personality
Free Soil Party-Martin Van Buren (NY)
Polk refused to run for re-election |
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What were Taylor and Cass's stance on slavery in the election of 1848? |
Both candidates avoided the slavery issue. |
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What was the Free Soil Party? |
They were against slavery |
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What were the results of the 1848 election? |
pop. vote E. V.
Taylor 1,360,000 163 Cass 1,220,000 127 Van Buren 291,000 0
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Who was Taylor's Vice President? |
Millard Fillmore ( became president after Taylor's death) |
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When was the California Gold Rush? |
1849 |
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Who and where was Gold discovered in California? |
Jim Marshall in the American River |
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What happened in the Gold Rush of 1849? |
Thousands of people rushed to california as word spread back east and stories were exaggerated |
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Were people successful in the California Gold Rush? |
A few people found gold and became rich, but most people found nothing and would have been better off not coming to California. |
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What happened to California due to the gold rush? |
Towns quickly became cities, especially San Francisco. |
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How did a lot of people become successful in California? |
They established a business for people to buy supplies. |
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When and why did California apply for statehood? |
In 1849, due to the fast rush of people. |
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What was the state division for free and slave states in 1849? |
Equally divided 15 free and 15 slave which kept a balance in the Senate.
(The North already dominated the House due to larger population. |
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What was the debate when California applied for statehood in 1849? |
Whether California should be a free or slave state.
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Why was the South concerned about California being admitted as a free state? |
They thought that if California was admitted as a free state that the rest of the territory out West would follow.
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Who were the 3 congressmen who helped work out a compromise about California? |
Henry Clay (73 yrs. old)
John Calhoun (68 yrs. old)
Daniel Webster (68 yrs. old)
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What was Henry Clay's stance on the compromise? |
He urged the North and South to make concessions to keep the union together.
Wanted the North to make a stronger fugitive slave law |
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What was Calhoun's stance on the compromise? |
Agreed with Clay about keeping union together, but felt there should be a stronger position for the South
Also suggested electing two presidents, one from North and one from South, each with veto powers.
He died of tuberculosis in 1850 before the debate ended. |
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What was Webster's stance on the compromise? |
He was suffering from liver problems but gave a 3 hour speech supporting Clay's proposals.
He also wanted a strict fugitive slave law
He felt that slavery would not be profitable in the new territories, so don't worry about it |
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What happened after the last meeting of the 3 great Congressmen? |
There were no strong leaders in Congress to speak about compromise. |
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Why was Clay very confident about the compromise? |
He knew that he could get the compromise passed by himself.
He got Webster's support because he was a great speaker and very intelligent, while clay had tact and knew how to read people
He knew the South did not trust the North |
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What are the 6 points to the Compromise of 1850? |
-California was admitted as a free state-North -Remainder of the Mexican Cessian would be decided at a later time-South -Abolished the slave trade(not slavery) in Washington D.C.-North -The U.S. would assume the debt of Texas ($10 million)- South -There would be a strict Fugitive Law - South -The disputed territory between Texas and New Mexico would belong to New Mexico- North |
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Who presented the bill and why? |
Clay had become weak and had to take a leave of absence so Stephen Douglas presented the bill and got it passed |
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Who opposed the bill? |
John Calhoun felt that it was not strong enough for the South, but he died before a vote was taken
Zachary Taylor- it was certain he would veto the bill but he became very sick and died of an intestinal disorder in 1850, so Fillmore became president |
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Did Fillmore pass the bill of compromise? |
He signed it into law in 1850. |
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When did Clay and Webster die? |
1852 |
