Westward Expansion Map and Vocab Quiz

Drag the land acquisitions in westward expansion to their correct place on the map.

a

b

c

d

e

f

Oregon

Louisiana Purchase

Texas

Mexican Cession

Florida

Gadsden Purchase

Identify which part of westward expansion achieved Manifest Destiny.

Manifest Destiny is the belief that America should stretch from the ​ (a)   to the ​ (b)   .

• Atlantic Ocean

• Pacific Ocean

• Mississippi River

• Gulf of Mexico

Answer explanation

Manifest Destiny is the belief that America should stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, reflecting the idea of expansion across the continent.

The Louisiana Purchase was made in ____?

Answer explanation

The Louisiana Purchase was made in 1803, when the United States acquired a vast territory from France, significantly expanding its land and resources.

Chinese immigrants and Americans rushed to California in 1849 in search of ____?

Answer explanation

Chinese immigrants and Americans rushed to California in 1849 in search of gold, driven by the Gold Rush, which promised wealth and opportunity for those willing to venture west.

Select the river that Texas and the US claimed was the border between the US and Mexico.

Which purchase was made to complete a southern transcontinental railroad and completed the land acquisition that makes up the present-day United States?

• Gadsden Purchase

• Mexican Cession

• Louisiana Purchase

• Oregon Territory

Answer explanation

The Gadsden Purchase in 1854 was crucial for completing a southern transcontinental railroad and finalized the land acquisition that forms the current boundaries of the United States.

Select all that apply:

Identify characteristics of the transcontinental railroad.

• built by Chinese and Irish immigrants

• decreased prices

• encouraged settlement of the west

• connected Lake Erie to the Atlantic Ocean

• helped the US acquire Florida

Answer explanation

The transcontinental railroad was built primarily by Chinese and Irish immigrants, decreased transportation costs, and encouraged westward settlement. It did not connect Lake Erie to the Atlantic or help acquire Florida.

Match characteristics of westward expansion with the correct land acquisition:

Groups:

(a) Louisiana Purchase

,

(b) Oregon Territory

,

(c) Mexican Cession

,

(d) Florida

• achieved Manifest Destiny

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

• doubled size of US

• treaty with Britain

• from Mexico

• $5 million

• from Spain

• Adams-Onis Treaty

• $15 million

• from France