<p>CHAPTER 12 TEST INFORMATION 16. POLK’S WAR PLAN – American troops drive Mexican forces out of 1. STEPHEN AUSTIN – brought the disputed border region, U.S. would first American settlers to Texas seize New Mexico and California, capture Mexico City 2. WILLIAM BECKNELL – first American trader to reach Santa Fe 17. RANCHOS – huge Mexican properties 3. JIM BECKWOURTH – explored the Green River 18. RENDEZVOUS – meeting of Mountain Men and high point of their 4. KIT CARSON – mountain man year turned guide 19. RIO GRANDE – US claimed this as 5. DECREE – official order the border between the US and Mexico 6. DESERET – original name of Morman land in Utah 20. GENERAL SANTA ANNA – ordered the execution of Texans</p><p>7. FORTY-NINERS – gold seekers 21. SANTA FE TRAIL – route taken by William Becknell to Santa Fe 8. JOHN C. FREMONT – army officer who sparked interest in California 22. SALT LAKE CITY – founded by the Mormons originally called Deseret 9. GOLD RUSH – gave huge profits to merchants, ended in a few years but 23. SONOMA – California town seized had long lasting effects on California by small group and name the Bear Flag Republic 10. GREAT BRITAIN – the last country to challenge U.S. control of Oregon 24. VIGILANTES – took the law into their own hands 11. SAM HOUSTON – commander in chief of the Texas forces 25. MARCUS WHITMAN – missionary who accidently brought the measles 12. JOINT OCCUPATION – was tried to the Cayuse as a way to allow people from both Britain and the US to settle in Oregon 26. BRIGHAM YOUNG – led the country Mormon migration to the Great Salt Lake Area 13. MOUNTAIN MEN – made living as fur trappers ESSAY QUESTION CHOICES</p><p>14. OREGON TRAIL – a way to get to A. Who were the forty-niners and why Oregon country did they come to California? B. How did President James K. Polk get 15. OREGON COUNTRY Americans to go to war with Mexico? (ATTRACTION TO) – north of C. How did the early settlers of the California with fertile land West help pave the way for the California Gold Rush? </p>