Polk's Order That Zachary Taylor Move His Troops to the Disputed

question 44

Multiple Choice

Polk's order that Zachary Taylor move his troops to the disputed territory north of the Rio Grande

• A) protected American settlers along the border in such a way that they regained their trust in the United States government and left the West behind.
• B) provoked a Mexican attack as part of a scheme to justify the beginning of a war with Mexico and, ultimately, to gain New Mexico and California.
• C) persuaded Mexico to sell California to the United States to avoid a costly war that would be sure to hurt Mexican resources and infrastructure.
• D) caused an uproar among German and Irish immigrants that resulted in increased anti-war sentiment and a lack of immigrant groups joining in the American army.
• E) won him political support in the North and, thus, helped to secure his victory in the next presidential election.

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Definitions:

Deindividuation

A psychological state characterized by diminished self-consciousness, decreased perceptions of responsibility, and an increase in impulsive and deviant acts, often occurring within group contexts.

Law-abiding

Characteristic of individuals who consistently follow and adhere to the laws of their community or nation.

Mob

A large and disorderly crowd of people often involved in chaotic or aggressive behavior, sometimes resulting in riots or vandalism.

Group Polarization

The phenomenon where a group's prevailing attitudes or beliefs become more extreme following group discussions.