1. Why did the United States push for control of the Oregon Country?
increased American settlement in the Pacific Northwest
increased threat of British attacks on the Louisiana Territory
discovery of gold in the Rocky Mountains
need for more territory north of the Missouri Compromise
i think it is A
A is the best answer of those listed. President Polk subscribed to the idea of "manifest destiny", which mandated neat borders from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and British control of all or part of Oregon territory cut into that.
To determine the correct answer, let's break down the options and discuss how to approach this type of historical question.
A. Increased American settlement in the Pacific Northwest: This option suggests that the United States pushed for control of the Oregon Country due to increased American settlement in the Pacific Northwest. This is a plausible reason, as American settlers moving westward would have naturally wanted to expand their territory and secure control over the area where they were settling.
B. Increased threat of British attacks on the Louisiana Territory: This option is less likely as a primary reason for pushing for control of the Oregon Country. While there were border disputes between the United States and British-controlled Canada during this time, the perspective of British attacks specifically on the Louisiana Territory is not a commonly mentioned factor in this context.
C. Discovery of gold in the Rocky Mountains: Although the discovery of gold in the Rocky Mountains did play a significant role in westward expansion, it is not directly related to the push for control of the Oregon Country. The Oregon Country primarily refers to the region in the Pacific Northwest, while gold discoveries occurred further south, such as in California during the Gold Rush.
D. Need for more territory north of the Missouri Compromise: This option presents a possible reason for pushing for control of the Oregon Country. The Missouri Compromise was a law enacted in 1820 to address the issue of slavery in newly acquired territories, prohibiting slavery north of the 36°30' parallel. If the United States sought more territory north of this line, controlling the Oregon Country could have fulfilled this objective.
Considering the options and their historical context, the most accurate answer is indeed A. The United States pushed for control of the Oregon Country due to increased American settlement in the Pacific Northwest. This aligns with the overall goal of expanding American territory and ensuring control over areas of settlement.
By analyzing the options, considering historical context, and identifying the most relevant factors, you can arrive at the correct answer to historical questions.