WGU ACADEMY US HISTORY 1 FINAL
EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026 UPDATED
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥ The Declaration of Independence.
Answer: The document asserting the American colonies' freedom from
British rule in 1776.
⩥ The Treaty of Paris in 1783.
Answer: Formally ended the American Revolutionary War and
recognized U.S. independence from Britain
⩥ Articles of Confederation.
Answer: In 1781, served as the United States' first constitution, which
aimed to unite the 13 new American states in a loose alliance that
preserved each state's sovereignty.
⩥ The Federalist Papers:.
Answer: Essays advocating for the U.S. Constitution's ratification,
written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay
⩥ Federalist.
,Answer: Supporter of a strong central government and the U.S.
Constitution's ratification
⩥ Anti-federalist.
Answer: Opponent of the U.S. Constitution, advocating for states' rights
and individual liberties
⩥ The Louisiana Purchase.
Answer: President Thomas Jefferson, seeing an opportunity to expand
the nation, bought approximately 828,000 square miles of land from
France for $15 million.
⩥ The Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Answer: Led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, began its journey
from St. Louis, Missouri. Their mission was to explore the newly
acquired lands, map the terrain, document wildlife and plants, and
establish relationships with Native American tribes. The expedition
included a mixed group of soldiers, frontiersmen, and a slave named
York.
⩥ The War of 1812.
Answer: Fought between the United States and Great Britain because the
British were capturing American sailors, blocking trade, and supporting
Native American resistance.
, ⩥ Manifest Destiny.
Answer: The belief that Americans were destined to expand across the
North American continent
⩥ Annexation of Texas.
Answer: Texas, which had declared independence from Mexico in 1836,
was annexed by the United States, leading to increased tensions with
Mexico and eventually the Mexican-American War.
⩥ Oregon Trail.
Answer: Thousands of settlers traveled westward on the Oregon Trail to
the Oregon Territory, driven by the promise of fertile land and the belief
in Manifest Destiny.
⩥ Mexican-American War.
Answer: The war between the United States and Mexico resulted in the
US acquiring significant territories, including present-day California,
Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Utah, and Nevada.
⩥ California Gold Rush.
Answer: The discovery of gold in California spurred a massive influx of
settlers and immigrants to the western territories, furthering the
expansionist goals of Manifest Destiny.
EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026 UPDATED
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥ The Declaration of Independence.
Answer: The document asserting the American colonies' freedom from
British rule in 1776.
⩥ The Treaty of Paris in 1783.
Answer: Formally ended the American Revolutionary War and
recognized U.S. independence from Britain
⩥ Articles of Confederation.
Answer: In 1781, served as the United States' first constitution, which
aimed to unite the 13 new American states in a loose alliance that
preserved each state's sovereignty.
⩥ The Federalist Papers:.
Answer: Essays advocating for the U.S. Constitution's ratification,
written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay
⩥ Federalist.
,Answer: Supporter of a strong central government and the U.S.
Constitution's ratification
⩥ Anti-federalist.
Answer: Opponent of the U.S. Constitution, advocating for states' rights
and individual liberties
⩥ The Louisiana Purchase.
Answer: President Thomas Jefferson, seeing an opportunity to expand
the nation, bought approximately 828,000 square miles of land from
France for $15 million.
⩥ The Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Answer: Led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, began its journey
from St. Louis, Missouri. Their mission was to explore the newly
acquired lands, map the terrain, document wildlife and plants, and
establish relationships with Native American tribes. The expedition
included a mixed group of soldiers, frontiersmen, and a slave named
York.
⩥ The War of 1812.
Answer: Fought between the United States and Great Britain because the
British were capturing American sailors, blocking trade, and supporting
Native American resistance.
, ⩥ Manifest Destiny.
Answer: The belief that Americans were destined to expand across the
North American continent
⩥ Annexation of Texas.
Answer: Texas, which had declared independence from Mexico in 1836,
was annexed by the United States, leading to increased tensions with
Mexico and eventually the Mexican-American War.
⩥ Oregon Trail.
Answer: Thousands of settlers traveled westward on the Oregon Trail to
the Oregon Territory, driven by the promise of fertile land and the belief
in Manifest Destiny.
⩥ Mexican-American War.
Answer: The war between the United States and Mexico resulted in the
US acquiring significant territories, including present-day California,
Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Utah, and Nevada.
⩥ California Gold Rush.
Answer: The discovery of gold in California spurred a massive influx of
settlers and immigrants to the western territories, furthering the
expansionist goals of Manifest Destiny.
