Amsco AP US History Chapter 12 with
Complete Solutions
manifest destiny - ANSWER - The belief that the US had a divine mission to extend its power
and civilization across the breadth of North America.This rationale drove the acquisition of
territory.
Texas - ANSWER - (1845) Originally refused in 1837, as the U.S. Government believed that the
annexation would lead to war with Mexico. Texas remained a sovereign nation. Annexed via a
joint resolution through Congress, supported by President-elect Polk, and approved in 1845.
Land from the Republic of Texas later bacame parts of NM, CO, OK, KS, and WY. Led to war
with Mexico.
Stephen Austin - ANSWER - known as the Father of Texas, led the second and ultimately
successful colonization of the region by bringing 300 families from the United States
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna - ANSWER - A Mexican general and dictator, who dominated
Mexican politics for a quarter of a century. He was elected president, but didn't serve; instead he
overthrew the government and established himself as a dictator. He commanded the Mexican
army that stormed The Alamo during the Texas Revolution of 1835 and 1836 and killed all 187
defenders, but he was shortly afterward defeated and captured by Sam Houston's Texans.
Sam Houston - ANSWER - United States politician and military leader who fought to gain
independence for Texas from Mexico and to make it a part of the United States; First president
of the Republic of Texas
Alamo - ANSWER - mission and fort that was the site of a siege and battle during the Texas
Revolution, which resulted in the massacre of all its defenders; the event helped galvanize the
Texas rebels and eventually led to their victory at the Battle of San Jacinto and independence
from Mexico.
John Tyler - ANSWER - elected Vice President and became the 10th President of the United
States when Harrison died 1841-1845, President responsible for annexation of Mexico after
receiving mandate from Polk, opposed many parts of the Whig program for economic recovery
, Aroostook War - ANSWER - an undeclared confrontation in 1838-39 between the United States
and Great Britain (lumbermen) over the international boundary between British North America
(Canada) and Maine. The dispute resulted in a mutually accepted border between the state of
Maine and the provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec.
Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842) - ANSWER - US Secretary of State Daniel Webster and
British ambassador Lord Alexander Ashburton created a treaty splitting New Brunswick territory
into Maine and British Canada; also settled boundary of the Minnesota territory (giving iron-rich
Mesabi range to US)
Resolved Aroostook War.
Oregon territory - ANSWER - For twenty years, the British and the United States agreed to
jointly occupy this region. But in the mid-1840s this region became a political issue in the United
States, with many expansionists willing to risk war to get all of the territory, including present-
day British Columbia (54 40 or fight!). In 1846, Britain and the United States agreed to extend
the 49th Parallel, forming the modern border between Canada and the United States. The
settlers quickly applied for territorial status, which Congress granted in 1849. The territory was
gradually split up, and in 1859, it—with its present borders—became the 33rd state.
"Fifty-four Forty or Fight" - ANSWER - The slogan of the supporters of Polk's plan for Oregon.
They wanted the border of the territory to be on 54' 40° and were willing to fight Britain about it.
Eventually 49 degrees was adopted as the border, no violence.
James K. Polk - ANSWER - 11th US President (1845-1849) Polk was a slave owning southerner
dedicated to Democratic party. In 1844, he was a "dark horse" candidate for president, and he
won the election. Polk favored American expansion, especially advocating the annexation of
Texas, California, and Oregon. He was a friend and follower of Andrew Jackson. He opposed
Clay's American System, instead advocating lower tariffs, separation the treasury and the
federal government from the banking system. He was a nationalist who believed in Manifest
Destiny.
Walker Expedition - ANSWER - William Walker, a southern adventurer, tried to take Baja
California from Mexico in 1853; took Nicaragua to develop a proslavery empire but collapsed
when he was killed by Honduran authorities
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty (1850) - ANSWER - 1850 Treaty between U.S. and Great Britain
agreeing that neither country would try to obtain exclusive rights to a canal across the Isthmus
of Panama
Complete Solutions
manifest destiny - ANSWER - The belief that the US had a divine mission to extend its power
and civilization across the breadth of North America.This rationale drove the acquisition of
territory.
Texas - ANSWER - (1845) Originally refused in 1837, as the U.S. Government believed that the
annexation would lead to war with Mexico. Texas remained a sovereign nation. Annexed via a
joint resolution through Congress, supported by President-elect Polk, and approved in 1845.
Land from the Republic of Texas later bacame parts of NM, CO, OK, KS, and WY. Led to war
with Mexico.
Stephen Austin - ANSWER - known as the Father of Texas, led the second and ultimately
successful colonization of the region by bringing 300 families from the United States
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna - ANSWER - A Mexican general and dictator, who dominated
Mexican politics for a quarter of a century. He was elected president, but didn't serve; instead he
overthrew the government and established himself as a dictator. He commanded the Mexican
army that stormed The Alamo during the Texas Revolution of 1835 and 1836 and killed all 187
defenders, but he was shortly afterward defeated and captured by Sam Houston's Texans.
Sam Houston - ANSWER - United States politician and military leader who fought to gain
independence for Texas from Mexico and to make it a part of the United States; First president
of the Republic of Texas
Alamo - ANSWER - mission and fort that was the site of a siege and battle during the Texas
Revolution, which resulted in the massacre of all its defenders; the event helped galvanize the
Texas rebels and eventually led to their victory at the Battle of San Jacinto and independence
from Mexico.
John Tyler - ANSWER - elected Vice President and became the 10th President of the United
States when Harrison died 1841-1845, President responsible for annexation of Mexico after
receiving mandate from Polk, opposed many parts of the Whig program for economic recovery
, Aroostook War - ANSWER - an undeclared confrontation in 1838-39 between the United States
and Great Britain (lumbermen) over the international boundary between British North America
(Canada) and Maine. The dispute resulted in a mutually accepted border between the state of
Maine and the provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec.
Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842) - ANSWER - US Secretary of State Daniel Webster and
British ambassador Lord Alexander Ashburton created a treaty splitting New Brunswick territory
into Maine and British Canada; also settled boundary of the Minnesota territory (giving iron-rich
Mesabi range to US)
Resolved Aroostook War.
Oregon territory - ANSWER - For twenty years, the British and the United States agreed to
jointly occupy this region. But in the mid-1840s this region became a political issue in the United
States, with many expansionists willing to risk war to get all of the territory, including present-
day British Columbia (54 40 or fight!). In 1846, Britain and the United States agreed to extend
the 49th Parallel, forming the modern border between Canada and the United States. The
settlers quickly applied for territorial status, which Congress granted in 1849. The territory was
gradually split up, and in 1859, it—with its present borders—became the 33rd state.
"Fifty-four Forty or Fight" - ANSWER - The slogan of the supporters of Polk's plan for Oregon.
They wanted the border of the territory to be on 54' 40° and were willing to fight Britain about it.
Eventually 49 degrees was adopted as the border, no violence.
James K. Polk - ANSWER - 11th US President (1845-1849) Polk was a slave owning southerner
dedicated to Democratic party. In 1844, he was a "dark horse" candidate for president, and he
won the election. Polk favored American expansion, especially advocating the annexation of
Texas, California, and Oregon. He was a friend and follower of Andrew Jackson. He opposed
Clay's American System, instead advocating lower tariffs, separation the treasury and the
federal government from the banking system. He was a nationalist who believed in Manifest
Destiny.
Walker Expedition - ANSWER - William Walker, a southern adventurer, tried to take Baja
California from Mexico in 1853; took Nicaragua to develop a proslavery empire but collapsed
when he was killed by Honduran authorities
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty (1850) - ANSWER - 1850 Treaty between U.S. and Great Britain
agreeing that neither country would try to obtain exclusive rights to a canal across the Isthmus
of Panama
