War and Riches
1. Which Democrat was elected president in 1844 and had his eyes set on territorial expansion?
2. In 1844, what country owned present-day California, Nevada, and Utah; and parts of present-day Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming?
3. Sequence the events in the order in which they took place. (Write the number of each event in the correct square.)
4. Although Polk’s stated goal for a war against Mexico was to secure the U.S. border with that country, what did most Americans believe the real reason was?
5. Complete the table to show the arguments for and against going to war with Mexico.
For War Against War
President Polk believed that war was necessary in consideration of what?
For War Against War
Polk, like many Americans, hoped to acquire which territory from Mexico?
6. What happened in California shortly before General Taylor went on the offensive in Mexico?
7. List at least four outcomes or results of the Mexican War:
8. Complete the following table to show the cause and effects of the California Gold Rush:
Cause Effects
List at least three results or outcomes of the discovery of gold
in California:
9. After the war with Mexico, the United States had a lot of new territory, and settlers continued to go west in large numbers. What problem did this pose for the United States?
