Chapter 17

Question 1

Caucus

Answer 1

an unofficial organization or consultation of like-minded people to plan a political course or advance their cause, often within some larger body.

Question 2

Royalty

Answer 2

The share of the proceeds from work paid to an inventor, author, composer, and so on.

Question 3

Default

Answer 3

To fail to pay a loan or interest due.

Question 4

Repudiate

Answer 4

To refuse to accept responsibility for paying a bill or debt.

Question 5

Protectorate

Answer 5

The relation of a strong nation to a weak one under its control and protection.

Question 6

Colossus

Answer 6

Anything of extraordinary size and power.

Question 7

Resolution

Answer 7

In government, a formal statement of policy or judgement by a legislature, but requiring no legal statue.

Question 8

Intrigue

Answer 8

A plot or scheme formed by secret, underhanded means.

Question 9

Parallel

Answer 9

In geography, the imaginary lines parallel to the earth’s equator, marking latitude

Question 10

Deadlock

Answer 10

To completely block or stop action as a consequence of the mutual pressure of equal and opposed forces.

Question 11

Dark horse

Answer 11

In politics, a candidate with little apparent support who unexpectedly wins a nomination or election.

Question 12

Mandate

Answer 12

In politics, the belief that an official has been issued a clear charge by the electorate to pursue some particular policy goal.

Question 13

Platform

Answer 13

The campaign document starting a party’s or candidate’s position on the issues, and upon which they “stand” for election.

Question 14

No-man’s-land

Answer 14

A territory which neither of two disputing parties has clear claim and where they may meet as combatants.

Question 15

Indemnity

Answer 15

A repayment for loss or damage inflicted.

Question 16

Canada

Answer 16

British colony where Americans regularly aided anti-government rebels

Question 17

Maine

Answer 17

State where “Aroostook War” was fought over a disputed boundary with Canada

Question 18

Britain

Answer 18

Nation that strongly backed independence for Texas, hoping to turn it into an economic asset and antislavery bastion

Question 19

“Conscience Whigs”

Answer 19

Antislavery Whigs who opposed both the Texas annexation and the Mexican War on moral grounds

Question 20

Joint Resolution

Answer 20

Act of both houses of Congress by which Texas was annexed

Question 21

54 40

Answer 21

Northern boundary of Oregon territory jointly occupied with Britain, advocated by Democratic party and others as a desired line of American Expansion.

Question 22

Oregon Trail

Answer 22

2000 mile-long path along which thousands of Americans journeyed to the Willamette Valley in the 1840’s

Question 23

Manifest Destiny

Answer 23

The widespread American belief that God had ordained the United States to occupy all the territory of North America

Question 24

Liberty party

Answer 24

Small antislavery party that took enough votes from Henry Clay to cost him the election of 1844

Question 25

49th parallel

Answer 25

Final compromise that settled the Oregon boundary dispute in 1846

Question 26

California

Answer 26

Rich Mexican province that Polk tried to buy and Mexico refused to sell

Question 27

Nueces River

Answer 27

River that Mexico claimed as the Texas-Mexico boundary, crossed by Taylor’s troops in 1846.

Question 28

“spot resolutions”

Answer 28

Resolution offered by Congressman Abraham Lincoln demanding to know the precise location where Mexicans had allegedly shed American blood on “American” soil

Question 29

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Answer 29

Treaty ending Mexican War and granting territories to the United States

Question 30

Wilmot Proviso

Answer 30

Controversial amendment, which passed the House but not the Senate, stipulating that slavery should be forbidden in territory acquired from Mexico