The U.S.A. History Ultimate Test!

The phrase "manifest destiny" referred to Americans' belief that it was their God-given right to expand and conquer the western territories. This belief was rooted in the idea that it was their destiny to spread democracy, Christianity, and American values across the continent. It fueled westward expansion, the annexation of Texas, and the acquisition of territories like Oregon and California. This ideology played a significant role in shaping American policies and actions during the 19th century.

American claims to the Oregon Country were in competition with those of Great Britain. The Oregon Country, located between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, was a region that both the United States and Britain claimed during the 19th century. The dispute over this territory eventually led to the signing of the Oregon Treaty in 1846, which divided the region between the two countries along the 49th parallel.

The correct answer is "to anyone who worked hard." This is because free-labor spokesmen believed that success was not limited to those who had inherited wealth or those who could obtain labor for free. They believed that anyone who was willing to work hard could achieve success, regardless of their background or financial status.

President Polk helped to spark the war with Mexico by ordering American troops to the Rio Grande. This action was significant because the Rio Grande River was considered the southern border of Texas, which the United States had annexed in 1845. However, Mexico disputed this annexation and claimed the Nueces River as the border. By sending troops to the Rio Grande, Polk was asserting American control over the disputed territory and provoking a response from Mexico, ultimately leading to the outbreak of war.

The correct answer is "look within themselves for truth and guidance." The transcendentalists believed in the inherent goodness of individuals and the importance of self-reliance. They emphasized the idea that truth and guidance can be found by looking within oneself, rather than relying on external authorities or social norms. This belief in individualism and self-discovery was a central tenet of transcendentalist philosophy.

The correct answer is "divided the nation." This is because the statement suggests that the war with Mexico had a divisive effect on the nation. It implies that there were differing opinions and conflicts within the country regarding the war, leading to a division among the people.

In keeping with the free-labor ideal, communities throughout the North and West funded public schools. The free-labor ideal emphasized the value of education and believed that providing access to education for all citizens would promote social mobility and economic success. By funding public schools, communities aimed to ensure that individuals had the opportunity to receive an education and improve their lives. This investment in education reflected the belief that an educated workforce would contribute to the overall development and progress of society.

Utopian communities like those of the Fourierism aimed to become models of perfection. These communities believed in creating an ideal society that would serve as an example for others to follow. They sought to achieve perfection in various aspects of life, including social organization, economic systems, and living conditions. By striving for perfection, they hoped to inspire and influence others to adopt their principles and create a better society.

The correct answer is "he was concerned about the expansion of slavery into Texas." This is because Charles Sumner, as an abolitionist and opponent of slavery, would have been opposed to the expansion of slavery into any new territories or states. Texas, at the time, allowed slavery, and Sumner would have seen the annexation of Texas as a means to extend the institution of slavery further, which he vehemently opposed.

The correct answer is nomadic and nonagricultural peoples. This means that the majority of the Plains Indians did not engage in agriculture but instead relied on hunting and gathering for their food. They were also nomadic, meaning they did not have a fixed settlement and instead moved around in search of resources and to follow the herds of bison. This lifestyle allowed them to adapt to the vast grasslands of the Great Plains and utilize the resources available to them.

The correct answer is initiating a policy of Indian concentration. This means that the federal government responded to the emigrants' request for more protection against the Plains Indians by implementing a policy that concentrated the Indians into specific areas. This policy aimed to control and limit the movements of the Plains Indians, making it easier for the government to provide protection to the emigrants.

The free-labor ideal argued that wage labor was the first step toward independence because it believed that by working for wages, individuals could accumulate enough wealth and resources to eventually become independent and self-sufficient. This ideal emphasized the importance of individual freedom and self-reliance, and saw wage labor as a means to achieve economic independence and social mobility. It believed that through hard work and perseverance, individuals could improve their economic and social status, eventually breaking free from the constraints of wage labor and achieving true independence.

The Oneida Community was organized to allow its members to practice complex marriage. Complex marriage was a form of marriage in which all members of the community were considered married to each other. This meant that individuals were free to have multiple partners and engage in sexual relationships with other members of the community. This practice was believed to promote equality, eliminate jealousy, and create a sense of community and unity among its members.

President Polk's insistence on acquiring all of Mexico's northern provinces made war with Mexico certain. This suggests that Polk was determined to expand the territory of the United States by taking control of the northern regions of Mexico. By annexing these provinces, Polk aimed to extend American influence and secure valuable land. This aggressive stance towards Mexico likely led to tensions and eventually resulted in a war between the two countries.

The use of steam power in manufacturing in the mid-1800s spread slowly because human and animal power were still effective and widely used. This suggests that many manufacturers were still reliant on traditional methods of power, such as manual labor or animal-driven machinery. They may have been hesitant to adopt new technology like steam power, as they already had effective methods in place. This factor likely contributed to the slow adoption of steam power during this period.

During the 1840s and 1850s, there was a significant increase in American productivity, which can be attributed in part to the growing number of Americans working in factories. This shift from traditional forms of work, such as agriculture or self-employment, to factory labor allowed for greater efficiency and specialization. Factories introduced new technologies and assembly-line production methods, enabling workers to produce goods at a faster pace. This transition to factory work played a crucial role in driving the overall increase in productivity during this period.

Farmers found that greater agricultural productivity was possible in the Midwest in part because the region was relatively treeless. Trees can hinder agricultural activities by competing for nutrients, water, and sunlight with crops. By having a treeless landscape, farmers in the Midwest were able to cultivate larger areas of land and maximize their crop yields. Additionally, the absence of trees made it easier to clear land for farming and reduced the risk of wildfires. This allowed farmers to focus on efficient farming practices and contribute to the region's agricultural success.

In the northern and western states, discrimination against women and free blacks in the half-century after the American Revolution was not a source of concern for most white men. This suggests that white men in these states did not view the discrimination as a problem or an issue that needed to be addressed. It implies that they were either indifferent to or supportive of the discrimination, which is why it was not a source of concern for them.

Railroads played a crucial role in the growth of the iron and telegraph industries. The construction of railroads required large quantities of iron for tracks, locomotives, and other infrastructure, leading to a significant increase in demand for iron. Additionally, railroads facilitated the rapid transmission of information over long distances, which was essential for coordinating train schedules and ensuring safe operations. This demand for telegraph services resulted in the expansion and development of the telegraph industry.

The reform movements of the 1840s and 1850s were based on the common belief that the era's major social problems resulted from insufficient self-control. This belief stemmed from the idea that individuals lacked the discipline and restraint necessary to resist various vices and temptations, leading to societal issues such as alcoholism, crime, and immorality. Reformers sought to address these problems by advocating for temperance, morality, and personal responsibility, aiming to instill greater self-control in individuals and thus improve society as a whole.