- 1. The incorporation of Texas into the United States emerged from a complex history of territorial disputes and conflicts, primarily rooted in its earlier independence from Mexico following the Texas Revolution of 1835-1836. This revolution was significant, as it stemmed from the growing discontent among Anglo settlers in Texas, who were frustrated by the Mexican government's centralization and governance issues. After declaring independence in 1836, Texas functioned as an independent republic for nearly a decade, attracting American settlers and investors eager to capitalize on the land's potential. However, the desire of many Texans to annex the territory to the United States intensified, particularly as the issue of expansionism and Manifest Destiny became prominent in American political discourse. The tensions escalated into the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), fueled by the U.S. annexation of Texas in 1845, which Mexico regarded as an affront to its sovereignty. Following a series of decisive military confrontations and territorial gains by American forces, the war culminated in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, wherein Mexico relinquished a significant portion of its northern territories, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada, thereby formalizing Texas as an integral part of the United States. This expansion not only reshaped the geographic landscape of North America but also set the stage for heightened tensions regarding slavery and statehood, which would continue to influence the nation’s trajectory in the years leading to the Civil War.
Which treaty finalized Texas joining the United States?
A) Jay Treaty B) Louisiana Purchase Treaty C) Treaty of Versailles D) Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
- 2. Which country did Texas gain independence from?
A) France B) Mexico C) Canada D) Spain
- 3. Who was the president of the Republic of Texas during its annexation by the United States?
A) Stephen F. Austin B) Sam Houston C) Anson Jones D) Mirabeau B. Lamar
- 4. Which battle led to the capture of Santa Anna and the signing of the Treaties of Velasco in 1836?
A) Battle of Gonzales B) Battle of the Alamo C) Battle of San Jacinto D) Goliad Massacre
- 5. Who served as the first governor of Texas after its annexation to the United States?
A) Sam Houston B) James Pinckney Henderson C) Mirabeau B. Lamar D) Stephen F. Austin
- 6. Which river was established as the southern boundary of Texas after the Texas Revolution?
A) Colorado River B) Rio Grande C) Red River D) Trinity River
- 7. Which US president signed the resolution for Texas annexation?
A) James K. Polk B) John Tyler C) Andrew Jackson D) Martin Van Buren
- 8. During the Texas Revolution, what was the rallying cry of the Texan forces before the Battle of San Jacinto?
A) Remember Goliad! B) Remember the Alamo! C) Texans Unite! D) Come and Take It!
- 9. What term refers to the conflict in which Texas gained its independence from Mexico?
A) Texan Independence War B) Alamo Conflict C) Texas Revolution D) Mexican War
- 10. Which two European countries recognized the independence of Texas in the 1830s?
A) Russia and Austria B) Spain and Portugal C) Great Britain and France D) Germany and Italy
- 11. What was the capital of Texas during the period of the Republic of Texas prior to annexation by the US?
A) San Antonio B) Houston C) Austin D) Dallas
- 12. Which river formed the northern boundary of the Republic of Texas?
A) Mississippi River B) Missouri River C) Red River D) Arkansas River
- 13. Under whom did the Texan forces secure a decisive victory at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836?
A) Santa Anna B) Stephen F. Austin C) Sam Houston D) William B. Travis
- 14. Who was the president of Mexico during the Texas Revolution?
A) Porfirio Díaz B) Miguel Hidalgo C) Antonio López de Santa Anna D) Benito Juárez
- 15. In which city did Mexican forces execute nearly 400 Texan prisoners during the Texas Revolution?
A) Houston B) San Antonio C) Goliad D) Austin
- 16. Who was known as the 'Father of Texas' and facilitated American settlement in the region?
A) Stephen F. Austin B) William B. Travis C) Sam Houston D) Mirabeau B. Lamar
- 17. Which event in 1835 sparked the Texas Revolution against Mexican rule?
A) Battle of San Jacinto B) Goliad Massacre C) Battle of Gonzales D) Battle of the Alamo
- 18. Which US president pushed for the annexation of Texas as a slave state, leading to tension between North and South in the US?
A) James K. Polk B) Abraham Lincoln C) Thomas Jefferson D) Andrew Jackson
- 19. What was the short-lived republic formed by the state of Texas after declaring independence from Mexico?
A) Lone Star Republic B) Republic of the Rio Grande C) Republic of the Alamo D) Republic of Texas
- 20. What was the duration of the Republic of Texas as an independent nation before becoming part of the US?
A) 5 years B) 9 years C) 15 years D) 12 years
- 21. Which U.S. general was known for his leadership during the Mexican-American War and later became the 12th President of the United States?
A) Ulysses S. Grant B) Zachary Taylor C) Robert E. Lee D) James Polk
- 22. What was the name of the diplomatic mission sent by President Polk to negotiate the purchase of California and New Mexico territory from Mexico?
A) Bear Flag Revolt B) Slidell Mission C) Treaty of Cahuenga D) Gadsden Purchase
- 23. Which American general led the successful invasion of Veracruz during the Mexican-American War?
A) George McClellan B) William T. Sherman C) Philip Sheridan D) Winfield Scott
- 24. Which war between the U.S. and Mexico resulted in the acquisition of Texas and other territories by the United States?
A) Civil War B) Mexican-American War C) Spanish-American War D) Revolutionary War
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