SS Weekly Week 13

According to the article, “The Annexation of Texas,” the most likely reason many families first settled in Texas was

• so they could fight against American Indians who were already living there

• the Mexican government offered free land

• there were animals living on the land that could be taken as their own

• it was the only place they would be free to practice the Catholic religion

What was one direct result of the Texas settlers’ refusal to speak Spanish?

• They had to change religions

• The Mexicans demanded the land be returned.

• The settlers’ taxes were raised.

• The Mexican government passed new laws affecting the settlers.

What most likely was a result of the Texas settlers’ request for their own government?

• Mexico realized they would never get the white settlers to speak Spanish.

• The Texas settlers finally agreed to change religions

• Mexico realized they would have to use force to control the white settlers

• The Texas settlers decided they should return to the United States.

Which statement about the annexation of Texas is best supported by information in this week’s issue?

• No one in Texas really wanted to become part of the United States

• Everyone in Texas wanted to become part of the United States.

• Most people in Texas realized that annexation was necessary for Texas.

• All of the people in the United States were upset that Texas was annexed.

Which of the following best completes the diagram above?

• War is fought against Mexico’s General Santa Anna.

• Texas is annexed by the United States.

• The Revolutionary War is fought.

• The Louisiana Purchase makes living in Texas possible.

What idea best completes the organizer shown above?

• Catholicism practiced

• slave state

• Spanish spoken

• worthless land

What is the most likely reason Mexico wanted Texas back after it was annexed by the United States?

• They realized that Texas was a valuable piece of land.

• They wanted to have more land than the United States owned

• They wanted a place for the Mexican army to practice

• They wanted to control the Rio Grande River

What is the most likely reason many Americans supported Polk’s war against Mexico?

• They believed the U.S. was being too greedy.

• They believed it was the country’s right to claim new land.

• They liked President Polk.

• They were still angry with Great Britain about the outcome of the Revolutionary War

Which of these is the best summary of the article, “The Gadsden Purchase?”

• The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican War. The U.S. paid Mexico $15 million for a large piece of land. Congress wanted to buy more land from Mexico. The two countries talked about the sale

• After the Mexican War, the U.S. purchased a strip of land in present-day Arizona and New Mexico. The $10 million land sale was organized by James Gadsden as a way to help bring railroad service to all parts of the United States. Ultimately, the Gadsden Purchase led to the end of Santa Anna’s and Gadsden’s careers in Mexico.

• James Gadsden was the Minister to Mexico. He put together a deal to sell the state of Pennsylvania to Mexico. The people of Mexico were angry with Santa Anna for making the deal. He was banished

  from the country.

• The Gadsden Purchase made Mexicans angry. General Santa Anna was banished from the country.James Gadsden was removed from his position too. The railroads could be built, but Mr. Gadsden

  never got to see them. He died before any railroads could be built on the strip of land near Arizona.

Why do you think people were willing to give up everything they owned and rush to California when gold was discovered in 1848

• They probably hoped to find relatives who had gone before them.

• They probably wanted to make sure the land was taken care of properly.

• They wanted to open up businesses in California.

• They thought it was worth the chance of possibly becoming very rich.