The Mexican–American War - AP U.S. History

1. Name the Mexican general and president during the war.

   Antonio López de Santa Anna. Returned from exile to lead Mexican resistance against U.S. invasion.

2. Identify the U.S. victory that secured California.

   The Battle of San Gabriel. U.S. forces defeated Mexican resistance to control California territory.

3. Which U.S. President led the nation during the Mexican-American War?

   President James K. Polk. Polk's expansionist agenda drove U.S. war policy and territorial goals.

4. What was the significance of the Battle of Chapultepec?

   Paved the way for the capture of Mexico City. Victory opened path for final assault on Mexican capital city.

5. Name the battle known for the U.S. amphibious assault.

   The Battle of Veracruz. Scott's forces successfully stormed heavily fortified Mexican coastal city.

6. What was the sentiment in Mexico towards the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

   Seen as a national humiliation. Territorial losses created lasting resentment toward United States.

7. How did the war affect U.S.-Mexico relations long-term?

   Created lasting tensions and mistrust. War losses fostered anti-American sentiment lasting into modern era.

8. What was the disputed territory that led to the war?

   Nueces Strip. Border region between Nueces and Rio Grande rivers sparked conflict.

9. What was Mexico's territorial size reduction post-war?

   Lost about half its territory. Mexican Cession represented massive territorial loss for defeated nation.

10. What was the primary U.S. justification for the war?

    Defense against Mexican aggression. Polk framed territorial expansion as defensive response to Mexican threats.

11. What was the main Mexican strategy during the war?

    Defend territory and preserve sovereignty. Mexico fought defensively to protect national territory from U.S. invasion.

12. What year did the Mexican-American War end?

    1848. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo concluded two years of warfare.

13. Which U.S. naval officer captured California ports?

    Commodore John D. Sloat. Naval operations secured Pacific coast for U.S. territorial control.

14. Name the U.S. general who captured Mexico City in 1847.

    General Winfield Scott. Led successful campaign from Veracruz to Mexican capital.

15. What role did the U.S. Marines play in the war?

    Led assaults in key battles like Chapultepec. Stormed Chapultepec Castle during final assault on Mexico City.

16. What was the main economic impact of the Mexican Cession for the U.S.?

    Access to vast natural resources. Gained valuable mineral deposits and agricultural lands in Southwest.

17. Which doctrine justified U.S. expansion during the war?

    Manifest Destiny. Belief in divine right to expand across North American continent.

18. Name the U.S. general known for his victory at Buena Vista.

    General Zachary Taylor. "Old Rough and Ready" defeated larger Mexican force in northern Mexico.

19. Identify the key U.S. military strategy in the war.

    Capture key Mexican cities and ports. Multi-front strategy targeted Mexican strongholds and supply lines.

20. What event marked the start of the Mexican-American War?

    The Thornton Affair marked the start. Skirmish between U.S. and Mexican forces in disputed territory triggered formal war declaration.

21. Identify the primary reason the U.S. declared war on Mexico in 1846.

    U.S. annexation of Texas and border disputes. Territorial disputes over Texas boundaries led to military conflict.

22. Name the U.S. envoy who negotiated the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

    Nicholas Trist. Chief U.S. diplomat secured favorable territorial terms despite recall.

23. Which river did the U.S. claim as the Texas-Mexico border?

    The Rio Grande. U.S. position differed from Mexico's claim of Nueces River boundary.

24. What was a significant domestic consequence of the war for the U.S.?

    Intensified the debate over slavery. Territorial gains reopened sectional conflict over slavery expansion.

25. What territory did the U.S. gain from the Mexican Cession?

    California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of others. Mexican Cession included present-day southwestern United States.

26. What was the Gadsden Purchase?

    1854 purchase of land from Mexico. Acquired southern Arizona and New Mexico for transcontinental railroad route.

27. What was the main consequence of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

    Ceded vast territories to the U.S. Mexican Cession transferred over 500,000 square miles to U.S. control.

28. Which state's admission was a direct result of the war?

    California. Gold Rush and statehood followed directly from Mexican territorial cession.

29. Identify the primary challenge faced by U.S. forces in Mexico.

    Logistical difficulties and disease. Supply lines and tropical diseases hampered U.S. military operations.

30. What year did the Mexican-American War begin?

    1846. Thornton Affair triggered formal U.S. declaration of war against Mexico.

31. What was the Santa Fe Trail's significance during the war?

    Route for U.S. invasion of New Mexico. Trade route became military highway for U.S. forces entering Southwest.

32. What was the outcome of the Battle of Palo Alto?

    A U.S. victory. First major engagement demonstrated U.S. military superiority over Mexican forces.

33. Which treaty ended the Mexican-American War?

    The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Signed February 2, 1848, formally ending hostilities between nations.

34. What was the Bear Flag Revolt?

    U.S. settlers' rebellion in California. American settlers declared independence from Mexico in California territory.

35. Identify the primary goal of the Mexican-American War for the U.S.

    Territorial expansion. Fulfilling Manifest Destiny through westward territorial acquisition.

36. Which battle marked the first major conflict of the war?

    The Battle of Resaca de la Palma. Taylor's forces secured early victories in disputed border region.

37. What was the Wilmot Proviso?

    Proposal to ban slavery in new territories. Failed congressional attempt to prevent slavery expansion into acquired territories.

38. Which political party opposed the war in the U.S.?

    The Whig Party. Anti-war faction viewed conflict as unjustified territorial aggression.

39. Which conflict was a precursor to the Mexican-American War?

    The Texas Revolution. Texas independence struggle established precedent for territorial disputes.

40. Which U.S. territory was affected by the Compromise of 1850?

    California, as a free state. War gains influenced sectional crisis resolved by 1850 congressional compromise.

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