Politics And General Knowledge Questions! Trivia Quiz

In 1844, James K. Polk was the presidential candidate who demanded "fifty-four forty or fight." This slogan referred to the dispute between the United States and Great Britain over the Oregon Territory. Polk's campaign promise was to aggressively pursue American claims to the entire territory, up to the latitude line of 54°40'N. While war was a possibility, Polk ultimately negotiated a peaceful resolution with Britain, establishing the current border between the United States and Canada at the 49th parallel.

In the summer, mountain men would gather at a meeting place called a "rendezvous." This term refers to a planned meeting or assembly point where people come together for a specific purpose. It was a common practice for mountain men to convene at these rendezvous locations to trade goods, share information, and socialize. The term "congress" refers to a formal meeting of representatives, while "hangout" and "stakeout" do not accurately describe the purpose or nature of the mountain men's gathering.

Robert Gray is the correct answer because he was an American sea captain who explored and named the Columbia River in 1792. Gray named the river after his ship, the Columbia Rediviva, which was the first American ship to circumnavigate the globe. His exploration and naming of the Columbia River played a significant role in the early exploration and settlement of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

In 1818, the United States agreed to share the Oregon Country with Great Britain. This agreement, known as the Treaty of 1818, established joint occupancy of the region between the two countries. It allowed both the United States and Britain to settle and trade in the area, avoiding potential conflicts. The agreement lasted until 1846 when the Oregon Treaty was signed, dividing the region along the 49th parallel between the United States and Canada.

A Tejano is a person who considers Texas home and is of Mexican heritage. This term specifically refers to individuals of Mexican descent who have deep roots in Texas and identify strongly with the state's culture and history. The term "Tejano" originated during the Spanish colonial period and has been used to describe the Mexican-American community in Texas ever since. It signifies a unique blend of Mexican and Texan identities, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of this group.

Non-Native Americans went to the Oregon Country to hunt for fur. This was a common practice during the 19th century when the fur trade was booming. The Oregon Country was rich in fur-bearing animals such as beavers, which were highly sought after for their pelts. Trappers and fur traders ventured into the region in search of valuable furs, which they could sell for profit. The fur trade played a significant role in the exploration and settlement of the Oregon Country, attracting many non-native individuals who were motivated by the economic opportunities it presented.

The correct answer is "grew cotton." This is because cotton was a major cash crop in Texas during the time of slavery. The colonists in Texas relied heavily on slave labor to cultivate and harvest cotton on their plantations. The profitability of cotton farming led to the widespread establishment of slavery in Texas.

Zachary Taylor set up military posts north of the Rio Grande.

James K. Polk won the presidential election in 1844.

Davy Crockett defended the Alamo. Davy Crockett was a famous frontiersman and politician who fought in the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. He and a group of Texan soldiers held off the Mexican army for 13 days before ultimately being overrun. Crockett's bravery and sacrifice at the Alamo became a symbol of Texas' fight for independence from Mexico.

James Beckwourth is the correct answer because he is known for discovering a pass through the Sierra Nevada mountains. Beckwourth was an African American mountain man and explorer who played a significant role in the exploration of the American West. He is credited with discovering the Beckwourth Pass, which provided a route through the Sierra Nevada range and was used by many pioneers traveling to California during the Gold Rush era.

Sam Houston was the first president of the Republic of Texas. He played a crucial role in the Texas Revolution and led the Texan army to victory against Mexico in the Battle of San Jacinto. After Texas gained independence, Houston was elected as the president and served from 1836 to 1838. He was known for his strong leadership, negotiating skills, and efforts to secure recognition and annexation of Texas by the United States. Houston's presidency laid the foundation for the future statehood of Texas and his legacy as a founding father of the Republic is widely recognized.

Polk told John Slidell to offer Mexico money for New Mexico and California. This is because during the Mexican-American War, Polk aimed to acquire these territories from Mexico. California was particularly attractive due to its strategic location and its potential for expansion and economic growth. By offering money for these territories, Polk hoped to negotiate a peaceful acquisition rather than resorting to military force.

The correct answer is "empresarios." In the context of Texas history, empresarios were individuals who agreed to recruit and bring settlers to Texas. They were granted land and given the authority to establish colonies in exchange for their efforts in attracting new settlers. The empresarios played a crucial role in the colonization of Texas during the 19th century.

The Old Three Hundred were the settlers chosen by Stephen Austin. Stephen Austin played a crucial role in the colonization of Texas in the early 19th century. He was granted permission by the Mexican government to bring settlers to the region, and he handpicked the first 300 families, known as the Old Three Hundred, to establish settlements in Texas. These settlers played a significant role in the development and growth of the region, contributing to the eventual independence of Texas from Mexico.

Stephen F. Austin traveled to Mexico City with a petition. A petition is a formal written request made to a governing authority, in this case, the Mexican government. Austin likely traveled to Mexico City to present the petition and advocate for the rights and interests of the settlers in Texas. This could have been related to issues such as land grants, self-governance, or other concerns of the American colonists in Texas during that time period.

The Alamo was a former mission. Missions were religious outposts established by Spanish colonizers in the Americas during the 16th to 19th centuries. The Alamo was originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero and was founded in the 18th century as a Catholic mission to convert Native Americans to Christianity. It later became a symbol of Texan independence when it was famously besieged by Mexican forces during the Texas Revolution in 1836.

The Mexican Cession refers to the territory that Mexico ceded to the United States after the Mexican-American War in 1848. It included present-day Utah, among other areas. This means that Utah was part of the territory that Mexico gave up to the United States as a result of the war.

The Bear Flag Republic was created in California. This was a short-lived, unrecognized state that existed for about a month in 1846. It was established by American settlers in California who declared their independence from Mexico during the Mexican-American War. The republic was named after the bear on the flag that was raised during the declaration of independence. Eventually, California became a part of the United States with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.

The Gadsden Purchase is the correct answer because it refers to the treaty signed between the United States and Mexico in 1853. This treaty established the final boundary between the two countries, specifically determining the border between Mexico and the southwestern states of Arizona and New Mexico. The Gadsden Purchase was significant in completing the boundary between Mexico and the United States.