Card 0 of 20
Which of the following was not a factor in the United States’ declaration of war against Britain in 1812?
In the years between the end of the Revolutionary War and the outbreak of The War of 1812 the American merchant fleet grew dramatically. Although the majority of its trade continued to be with the British, the British public and government resented the added competition—in particular America’s trade with Britain’s perennial enemy, the French. During the Napoleonic Wars British ships often took to impressing American sailors to work aboard their ships—a provocative violation of American neutrality. In America the general response was outrage, and many prominent American politicians, like James Madison and Andrew Jackson, called for a “Second War of Independence” to finish the break with the Empire. Finally, many Americans living on the frontier were fighting a near constant conflict with displaced Native American populations and were offended to find that the British had been providing many Native American groups with weapons and supplies. The only false statement here is that it was the ascension of the Federalist Party that contributed to the outbreak of war. On the contrary, Federalist power was on the decline at the time. It was the Democratic-Republicans, and their significantly more staunch Anti-British feeling, that was in the ascension.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
"Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!"
The preceding text, referring to the sinking of the U.S. battleship USS Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898, was a rallying cry that helped propel America into what conflict?
The popular phrase "Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!" was influential in beginning the Spanish-American War later that year, even though Spanish involvement in the sinking of the Maine was not conclusively determined.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
The XYZ affair was important because .
In the years immediately after the French revolution, diplomatic tensions between the United States and France were growing very quickly and seemed to be precipitating war. In an attempt to avoid war President Adams sent a delegation of diplomats to negotiate with the famous French diplomat Talleyrand. Talleyrand demanded a bribe to even meet with the American representatives; when word spread back to Adams, the United States’ politicians were outraged. Many Federalists called for war and pressed Adams to release a copy of the report filed to him. Adams did release the report, but changed the names of the French diplomats to W, X, Y, and Z thus earning the whole business the title “The XYZ Affair.” In response to the public outrage over this seeming affront to American dignity Federalists were able to push through a massive upgrade to the United States’ Navy. However, Adams steadfastly refused to declare war and tensions ultimately died down.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
What was the key effect of the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg?
The Battle of Gettysburg finished an effort by Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army to invade the North in Pennsylvania and create panic among the Union's populace. The Union victory made Lee take his forces back into Southern territory, and from that point forward, the Southern Army was pushed further back on its heels. The other significance of the Union victory was that it occurred on July 4, 1863, which was also the date that the Union won a victory at Vicksburg, MS, freeing up the Mississippi River. The two victories brought an increasing focus on a smaller amount of Confederate Territory, and helped slowly bring the war to a close nearly two years later.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
What was the primary consequence of the Citizen Genet affair?
Edmond-Charles Genet was a French diplomat to the United States during the French Revolution. He was dispatched to the United States to try to encourage American support for the French wars against other European nations, primarily Britain. Citizen Genet ignored official diplomatic avenues, instead focusing on organizing popularly-supported mercenaries to fight Britain’s ally, Spain, in Florida. His success undermined Washington’s proclamation of neutrality, and Washington widely condemned his actions. The matter came to an end when a different form of government came to power, and Genet was branded a criminal in France.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
All of the following were an effect of the Battle of Fort Sumter EXCEPT __________.
The Battle of Fort Sumter broke out in the early morning of April 12, 1860, with Confederate troops bombarding the tiny island fort in Charleston Harbor. Confederates claimed that it was their property, as it was in Confederate territory, while Lincoln refused to let go of Union Army installations. Forces led by Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard bombarded the fort for two days, until the Union troops surrendered, and the Confederates took control of the fort and the harbor. The Battle marked the official start of the Civil War, and many northern volunteers came forward. In slave states that had not joined the Confederacy, secession debates were enflamed once more, with Virginia, Tennesee, North Carolina, and Arkansas rounding out the Confederacy.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
All of the following were causes of the Mexican-American war except __________.
The Mexican-American War was initially incited by the United States' annexation of the Republic of Texas, which Mexico still claimed much of as its own territory. President James K. Polk had been elected by promising to spread American territory to the Pacific, and war with Mexico brought this about most easily. The United States won quite handily, quickly occupying New Mexico and California, and eventually occupying Mexico City. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established peace by giving the present day American Southwest to the United States, and giving America a coast to coast territorial presence.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Which of the following was not a cause that directly affected the American declaration of war against Britain in 1812?
The Intolerable Acts was the collective name for the series of restrictions placed on the New England colonies in the events preceding the American Revolution. The other answers were causes of the War of 1812.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
The chief effect of the Battle of Gettysburg on the course of the Civil War was __________.
The Battle of Gettysburg was the decisive turning point in the Civil War. Coming as the culmination of an invasion of the Northern states by the Confederate Army, the Battle of Gettysburg was an overwhelming Union victory. The Union win made the Confederate troops take a torturous retreat that weakened and morale. While the war would continue for almost two more years, the Confederacy was fighting off the back foot for the remainder of the conflict. Although Robert E. Lee resigned as commander of the Confederate Army after the battle, his resignation was refused, and he remained in the role until 1865.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
The most significant and direct cause of the Spanish-American War was __________.
The United States had always had a special interest in Spain's Caribbean colonial possessions, as they lay so close to the U.S. mainland. In 1898, the Naval battleship U.S.S. Maine was stationed in Havana harbor off the coast of Cuba when it sank under mysterious circumstances. The outcry in the press over the destruction of the American ship made the public and politicians clamor for a war to free Cuba from Spanish rule.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
The American military took possession of the Phillipines during which conflict?
The Spanish-American War was fought simultaneously against Spanish possessions in the Caribbean and the Pacific. Claiming to defend Filipino rebels, the United States invaded the Philippines and fought the Spanish there, soundly defeating them. From 1899-1914, the US fought the very Filipino insurgents they were claiming to defend in their invasion in 1898.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Introduced on December 2, 1823, this American foreign policy stated that attempts by European nations to establish colonies or impact the affairs of countries in South or North America would be judged as aggressive acts, requiring United States response. What was the name of this policy?
First stated by President James Monroe, the Monroe Doctrine became a long-standing tenet of American foreign policy.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
The Adams-Onis Treaty gave the United States control over which territory?
The Adams-Onis Treaty, signed in 1819, ceded control of Florida from Spain to the United States. In addition, it settled the boundary dispute between the furthest western settlements of the United States, in what is now Texas, with the viceroyalty of New Spain, (now Mexico). The Treaty is generally considered to be the close of the first wave of American expansion; it was not universally respected, however, and many western Americans refused to recognize its legitimacy—continuing to settle in the territory west of the boundaries drawn up: in modern-day New Mexico and Colorado.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
From what European country did the United States buy Florida?
In 1819, the United States bought Florida from Spain in the Adams-Onis Treaty.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
The Rush-Bagot Agreement .
The Rush-Bagot Treaty was a demilitarization treaty signed between Great Britain and the United States following the end of the War of 1812. It forbade the maintenance of more than a few naval ships on the Great Lakes territory between the United States and British North America. As importantly, it laid the foundation for a future agreement to be reached with Canada that has ensured that the northern border of the United States has remained demilitarized for two centuries.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
What Civil War General was first offered the position of Supreme Commander of the Army of the United States at the outbreak of the Civil War?
Robert E, Lee was uneasy about secession throughout the crisis that developed following Abraham Lincoln's election, and was not sure about joining the Confederacy. Lee was offered command of the United States Army before his home state of Virginia seceded, which caused him to join the Confederacy. All of the other answer choices were Union generals who would come to prominence later in the war.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
What was the derogatory name given to the 1867 purchase of Alaska by the U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward from the Russians?
William H. Seward's detractors believed that the Alaska Purchase was a great mistake, calling it Seward's Folly.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
In 1846, the Oregon Treaty fixed the U.S. border with which country at the 49th parallel?
In 1846, the Oregon Treaty fixed the U.S. border with Canada at the 49th parallel.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
The Battle of Little Bighorn was fought between __________.
The Battle of Little Bighorn was the most decisive victory by Native American tribes against the United States Army. General George Armstrong Custer led his 7th Cavalry across the northern Great Plains throughout early 1876, trying to corral various tribes onto reservations. On June 25, Custer came upon a large united force of Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors, and the 7th Cavalry was decimated. Custer and all of his officers were killed. In the aftermath of Little Bighorn, the US Army greatly expanded its efforts against Native American tribes, and began a more concentrated effort to relocate tribes to reservations.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Generals Winfield Scott and Zachary Taylor were the heroes of __________.
The Mexican-American War was controversially started after the United States annexed the Republic of Texas in 1845. Despite large swaths of opposition, the U.S. Army quickly dominated the Mexican Army. The U.S. conquered present day New Mexico, Arizona, and California, and then proceeded all the way to Mexico City. The Army's commanders, Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott, quickly became national heroes, and were given the nicknames of "Old Rough and Ready" and "Old Fuss and Feathers." Taylor would be elected President in 1848, and died in office in 1850. Scott was commander of the Armed Forces until the Civil War.
Compare your answer with the correct one above