Study Guide Twelve

From Martin Van Buren to Manifest Destiny 1836-1848

Exam Two

 

NOTE: If you can answer these questions satisfactorily, you should do well on this section of the second exam.  The material below consists of important material from the lecture.  Questions on the test will be largely taken from this material.

 

Terms (definition and significance):

 

Whig Party

 

Great Triumvirate

 

laissez faire

 

Loco Focos

 

Specie Circular

 

Depression of 1837

 

Independent Treasury System

 

Log Cabin Campaign of 1840

 

William Henry Harrison

 

“Tippecanoe and Tyler Too”

 

John Tyler

 

Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842

 

Manifest Destiny

 

James K. Polk

 

Election of 1844

 

Oregon Territory

 

54° 40' or Fight

 

Alamo and Goliad

 

Battle of San Jacinto 1836

 

Annexation of Texas

 

Nueces River

 

Zachary Taylor

 

Mexican War 1846-1847

 

Winfield Scott

 

Santa Anna

 

Battle of Buena Vista, 1847

 

Battle of Cerro Gordo

 

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

 

 

Questions to Think About:

 

What was the program of the Whig Party and how did it come into existence?

 

Why were Americans worried about class conflict in the 1830s and 1840s?  How did class conflict manifest itself?

 

What was the special nature of the presidential election of 1836?

 

What were some important events during Martin van Buren’s presidency?

 

How did the Depression of 1837 affect American politic?  What were some of its causes in the United States?

 

What was the special nature of the presidential election of 1840?

 

What was an important first in presidential history that is associated with William Henry Harrison?

 

What sort of problems occurred during the presidential administration of John Tyler?

 

What was Manifest Destiny and how did this idea effect American politics during the 1840s?

 

Why were the issues of the US acquiring new territories controversial?

 

What were the causes of the Mexican War?

 

How did the United States win the Mexican War and what was the treaty that ended the war?