Name___________________
#_____
Period__________
Test date____________
Study Guide for Chapters 15/16
Answer Key
Key words and People chapter 15:
Manifest destiny
James Pinckney Henderson
Know-Nothing Prty
Political parties
Thomas J. Rusk
Elisha M. Pease
Joint resolution
biennial
Jane McManus Cazneau
corporations
Convention of 1845
Democratic Party
Texas Admissions Act
Republican Party
Main Ideas for Chapter 15:
1. How did Polk’s election affect the annexation of Texas? (pg. 316)
President Tyler took it as a sign that many Americans supported annexation He
requested a passage of a joint resolution for annexation from Congress, which
passed February 1845
2. Why did most Texans favor annexation? (pg. 317)
Most Texans were from the U.S. and the two nations had close business ties;
Texas would benefit from military protection and postal service.
3. Why did Americans support it? (pg. 316)
Many Americans thought annexation was a natural part of westward expansion;
southerners wanted another slave state
4. Beginning with the annexation treaty, identify the order of events that led to annexation.
(pg. 316)

1844 Senate rejects annexation treaty

Feb. 1845 election of James K. Polk

Oct. 1845 Congress passes joint resolution for Texas annexation

Dec. 29, 1845 Polk signs Texas Admissions Act
5. Name the 3 branches of government established by the Constitution of 1845. What were
its (constitution’s) provisions? (pg. 320)
The Constitution of 1845 established a separation of governing powers in which
the powers of each branch is limited.
Executive branch – the governor and his cabinet appointed by them; administers
and can veto laws and nominate judges
Judicial branch – the Texas Supreme Court; interpret the constitution and
reviews lower state court decisions
Legislative branch – The House of Representatives and Senate (Congress) write
and enforce laws; sets the budget; can propose amendments and override
executive veto; can impeach judges and executive officials
6. Which 2 Texans were selected to the Texas legislature? (pg. 321)
Sam Houston and Thomas J. Rusk were selected because they were both
qualified and had served Texas in the past.
7. When was the Early Statehood period and what defined that era?9 (pg.319-321)
1845-1861



Annexation of Texas
Formation of state government
Addressed challenges of being a new state
8. Name the governors of Texas in order during the 1840’s and 1850’s. (R-2)
1845 Henderson – war broke out with U.S. and Mexico
1847 Wood – frontier defense and dispute over northern and western boundaries
1849 and 1851 Bell – tried to add part of New Mexico to Texas
1853 and 1855 Pease – supported education; paid off state debt by end of term
185 Runnels – conflict between settlers and Indians increased
1859 Houston – the only one to serve as army commander, president of the
Republic, senator, and governor
9. Name the political parties in Texas and what were their positions on government? (pg.
322)
Democratic Party – favored farmers and small businesses; popular in the south;
supported annexation
Whig Party – favored banking and large businesses; opposed annexation; broke apart
in mid 1850’s over slavery
Republican Party – formed by northern Whigs and others; opposed slavery
Know-Nothing (American Party) – formed mid 1850’s; supported slavery; opposed
immigrants and Catholics in government; faded by 1857
10. How did the state pay its debt? (pg.325)
The state gave up public land in return for money from the federal government.
It sold off some of its remaining land to individuals.
Key Terms and People for chapter 16:
Zackary Taylor
John S. “Rip” Ford
offensive
Winfield Scott
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Mexican Cession
Compromise of 1850s
reservations
Robert S. Neighbors
Main Ideas for Chapter 16:
1. What issues led to the outbreak of the U.S.-Mexican War? (pg. 330)
The Mexican government’s anger at Texas annexation and fear of further U.S.
expansion which it took out on Americans in its territories.
**Most critical moment was when Winfield Scott captured Mexican port of
Veracruz.
U.S. Army at Monterrey and Buena Vista won battles and captured Mexico City
2. How did Texans and the Texas Rangers participate in the U.S.- Mexican War?
Texans volunteered for army service
Rangers served as scouts and fought in battles
3. What role did the Rio Grande play in the outbreak of the U.S.-Mexican War?
(map on pg. 331)
The U.S. argued that the Rio Grande was the border while Mexico disagreed.
U.S. and Mexican troops stationed along the Rio Grande and soon conflict
erupted.
4. List what the U.S. and Mexico gained from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.(pg. 335)
Mexico officially recognized Texas as part of the U.S.
Mexico gave up claim to territory between Nueces and Rio Grande and 529,000
square miles including California
Mexico received $18.25 million plus the benefits of US citizenship
5. How did the Compromise of 1850 affect the borders of Texas? (pg. 335)
It set the present state borders in the west and north. Senator Henry Clay came
up with this plan. The federal government would pay $10 million to Texas to
give up its claim. The state needed money to pay off their debt. Present day
border between Texas and New Mexico were set up and California became a
state. New Mexico and Utah became U.S. territory.
6. How did population growth after the Mexican War affect the state? (pg. 337)
It extended settlement westward and European immigration added to state’s
cultural diversity.
7. How did the Texas Rangers change life on the Texas frontier? (pg. 339)
They helped patrol and guard the frontier and made it possible to expand
westward. They were more effective than infantry troops in fighting American
Indians who raided settlements.
8. How did westward expansion affect American Indians in Texas? (pg. 340-342)



Led to conflict and violence
movement of American Indians to reservations changing their way of life
removal of some Texas Indians to Indian territory