Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 100%

The following excerpt is from a speech by Lyndon B. Johnson: Our fathers believed that if this noble view of the rights of man was to flourish, it must be rooted in democracy. The most basic right of all was the right to choose your own leaders. The history of this country, in large measure, is the history of the expansion of that right to all of our people.

Which of the following events would come first on a time line?

Rationale

The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory.

The Louisiana Purchase occurred in 1803, significantly expanding the territory of the United States and setting the stage for westward expansion. This event predates the other choices listed and is foundational to the early history of the nation.

A (Gold was discovered at Sutters Mill in California) YOUR ANSWER

The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill happened in 1848, which marked the beginning of the California Gold Rush. This event occurred well after the Louisiana Purchase, making it one of the latest events among the options provided.

B (The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory) CORRECT

This event, which took place in 1803, was a critical moment in U.S. history as it doubled the size of the nation and encouraged further expansion westward. It is the earliest event listed in the choices and thus the correct answer.

C (Abraham Lincoln was elected president) YOUR ANSWER

Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860, well after the Louisiana Purchase. His election was a pivotal moment in American history but occurred more than half a century after the purchase of the Louisiana Territory.

D (Texas received its independence from Mexico) YOUR ANSWER

Texas gained its independence from Mexico in 1836. This event also came after the Louisiana Purchase, as it was part of the broader context of westward expansion and the eventual annexation of Texas by the United States.

Conclusion

The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 is the earliest event listed in the choices and was crucial for the expansion of the United States. Subsequent events such as the Texas independence in 1836, Lincoln's election in 1860, and the gold discovery in 1848 occurred later, illustrating the timeline of American history's growth and development. Understanding these chronological events helps contextualize the foundation of democracy and territorial expansion in the U.S.

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