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Quiz about American History by Decade The 1840s

American History by Decade: The 1840s Quiz

Americans were pushing westward in the 1840s and conflict with Mexico loomed. What do you know about this decade in American History?

A multiple-choice quiz by LIBGOV. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
LIBGOV

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
400,199

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
355

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 107 (8/10), Guest 47 (10/10), Guest 199 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Captain Charles Wilkes claimed Wilkes Land for the United States in January 1840 while leading the United States Exploring Expedition. Where is Wilkes Land located? Hint

South Pacific

Just south of Jersey City

New Hebrides

Antarctica

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Incumbent Democrat Martin Van Buren lost the presidential election of 1840 to William Henry Harrison, the candidate of the Whig Party. What is unique about William Henry Harrison? Hint

He was the first president to give the State of the Union address on the radio

He was the first president born after the Declaration of Independence

Of all presidents, he served for the shortest time

He was the first president to live in the White House

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. After President William Henry Harrison's death, his vice president succeeded him. Who is this man who was disliked by both the Whigs and the Democrats? Hint

James K. Polk

Ross Perot

John Tyler

Franklin Pierce

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. In 1843, this American horror author won a $100 prize for his story "The Gold Bug" in a writing contest for the "Philadelphia Dollar Newspaper". Hint

Stephen King

Edgar Allan Poe

H. P. Lovecraft

H. L. Mencken

5. Unable to secure the nomination of either the Democrats or the Whigs for the presidential election of 1844, John Tyler throws his support behind Democrat James K. Polk who scored an upset victory over Whig Henry Clay by using the rousing and enigmatic slogan: Hint

Catch you on the flip side, Thaddeus

In your heart, you know we need to go to war with Mexico

Is another Whig really what we need right now? Come on!

54 40 or fight

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. On May 8, 1846, the first major battle of the Mexican War occurs at Palo Alto, Texas. What was the main cause of the Mexican War? Hint

Conflict over whether the U.S. had legally annexed Texas

Mexico refused to fund a border wall

Anger over the XYZ affair

Mexican failure to repay debts incurred during the Texas revolution

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. What religious leader settled his followers in Salt Lake City in the summer of 1847? Hint

Joseph Smith

Brigham Young

William Miller

L. Ron Hubbard

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. From January 1848 to December 1849 (less than two years), which U.S. city increased its population from 1,000 to 25,000? Hint

Levittown

Denver

San Francisco

Los Angeles

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Which treaty ends the Mexican War in 1848 with Mexico conceding New Mexico, California, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona to the U.S.? Hint

Treaty of Ghent

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Treaty of Juarez

Treaty of Fresno

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. James Polk honored his pledge to serve for only one term, and Lewis Cass was the Democratic nominee for president in the election of 1848. Who was the Whig candidate (also a Mexican War hero) who defeated him? Hint

Zachary Taylor

Ulysses Grant

Winfield Scott

Colin Powell

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Captain Charles Wilkes claimed Wilkes Land for the United States in January 1840 while leading the United States Exploring Expedition. Where is Wilkes Land located?

Answer: Antarctica

Wilkes navigated more than 1,500 miles of Antarctic coast. His expedition provided the best evidence at the time that Antarctica was a continent.

2. Incumbent Democrat Martin Van Buren lost the presidential election of 1840 to William Henry Harrison, the candidate of the Whig Party. What is unique about William Henry Harrison?

Answer: Of all presidents, he served for the shortest time

William Henry Harrison was the first Whig president, was famous for his victory at the Battle of Tippecanoe, was instrumental in organizing the Indiana territory, and kicked the bucket after serving in the presidency for only a month.

3. After President William Henry Harrison's death, his vice president succeeded him. Who is this man who was disliked by both the Whigs and the Democrats?

Answer: John Tyler

Although Tyler ran on the Whig ticket with Harrison in the election of 1840, Tyler's veto of the bill establishing the Second Bank of the United States caused Whigs to riot on the White House grounds and expel him from the party. Tyler was the first vice president to gain the presidency because of the death of his predecessor.

4. In 1843, this American horror author won a $100 prize for his story "The Gold Bug" in a writing contest for the "Philadelphia Dollar Newspaper".

Answer: Edgar Allan Poe

The $100 prize was the most Poe would ever earn for publishing one of his works. The Mystery Writers of America have named their awards "Edgars" in his honor.

Answer: 54 40 or fight

James Polk was a relatively unknown former governor of Tennessee when he secured the Democratic nomination. His slogan "54 40 or fight" refers to a border dispute with Great Britain over where the northern border of Oregon should be drawn. (Polk's supporters wished it to be drawn very far north above the 54th parallel which would have given the US control of much of western Canada).

6. On May 8, 1846, the first major battle of the Mexican War occurs at Palo Alto, Texas. What was the main cause of the Mexican War?

Answer: Conflict over whether the U.S. had legally annexed Texas

James Polk annexed the independent Republic of Texas in 1845 and made it the 28th state. Mexico refused to honor the U.S. claim, and General Zachary Taylor was sent to defend the Texas border at Palo Alto.

7. What religious leader settled his followers in Salt Lake City in the summer of 1847?

Answer: Brigham Young

Brigham Young led the Mormons to Salt Lake City from Nauvoo, Illinois after their previous leader, Joseph Smith, had been assassinated while in jail. The Mormons fled Illinois due to literally violent opposition to their beliefs (particularly plural marriage).

8. From January 1848 to December 1849 (less than two years), which U.S. city increased its population from 1,000 to 25,000?

Answer: San Francisco

Gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in California in 1848 and the resulting gold rush caused the population of San Francisco to sky rocket as "49ers" (miners, not football players) streamed into the city.

9. Which treaty ends the Mexican War in 1848 with Mexico conceding New Mexico, California, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona to the U.S.?

Answer: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Winfield Scott captured Mexico City leading to the Mexican surrender. Members of Congress were divided as to how much Mexican land to annex as a result of the war. In the end, much of the southwestern United States was acquired as a consequence of the Mexican War.

Answer: Zachary Taylor

Taylor won primarily because of his fame as a war hero. He was the last Whig elected president, and died after only 16 months in office of indigestion after consuming large quantities of raw fruit and milk. (Those Whig presidents don't last very long, do they?).

Source: Author LIBGOV

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