Question

question 21
the united states war with mexico:
a. was an attempt by the united states to capture and control all of mexico
b. was provoked by the mexican slaughter of texans at the alamo
c. was an unexpected and unwelcome development for the polk administration
d. lasted longer than expected because mexico refused to make peace despite a series of military defeats

question 22
what was the key insight of alexis de tocquevilles democracy in america?
a. the most important thing about american democracy was that the majority of men could vote
b. american democracy was really a sham
c. democracy itself was an unstoppable force that would one day overthrow monarchy around the globe
d. american democracys strength and guaranteed success came from the \tyranny of the majority\

Explanation:

• Question 21:
• Option A: The U.S. did not aim to capture all of Mexico. It mainly wanted territorial expansion (like California, New Mexico etc.).
• Option B: The Alamo was part of the Texas Revolution (Texas vs. Mexico before Texas joined the U.S.), not the direct provocation for the U.S.-Mexico War. The U.S. - Mexico War was more about border disputes (Rio Grande vs. Nueces River) and U.S. expansionism.
• Option C: President Polk wanted the war (to expand U.S. territory), so it was not unexpected or unwelcome for his administration.
• Option D: Mexico refused to negotiate peace even after military defeats (e.g., loss of major battles), which prolonged the war.
• Question 22:
• Option A: Tocqueville was more concerned with the overall democratic system (not just male suffrage). In the 1830s (when he wrote), not all men could vote (property - based restrictions in some states).
• Option B: Tocqueville saw American democracy as a positive (though with some flaws), not a sham.
• Option C: While Tocqueville was a proponent of democracy, his key work in Democracy in America was more about analyzing the American democratic system (its institutions, mores etc.) rather than making a global prophecy about democracy overthrowing monarchy.
• Option D: Tocqueville warned about the “tyranny of the majority” but also saw that American democracy had safeguards (like the judiciary, federalism) and its strength came from a combination of factors (laws, mores, physical circumstances), not just the “tyranny of the majority” which was a potential flaw. The key insight was that democracy was a complex system in America with multiple elements contributing to its success (not just majority rule in a negative sense). But among the options, if we consider the main focus on the analysis of the American democratic system's elements (even if mis - framed in the option), we can analyze further. Tocqueville's work was about how American democracy functioned. He did discuss majority rule but also other aspects. However, if we assume that the option is a mis - phrasing of his analysis of the role of majority in American democracy (even with the “tyranny” part being a warning, the overall system's success was related to how it dealt with majority rule etc.), and comparing to other options:
• Option A is too narrow (focus on male voting).
• Option B is incorrect as he was not dismissive.
• Option C is more of a general democratic ideal (not his key insight in the book which was about America).

Answer:

• Question 21: D. Lasted longer than expected because Mexico refused to make peace despite a series of military defeats
• Question 22: A. The most important thing about American democracy was that the majority of men could vote (Note: This is a simplification. Tocqueville's work was more nuanced, but among the options, if we assume a focus on a key aspect of the democratic process he observed (even if in the 1830s not all men could vote in the strictest sense, but compared to European societies of the time, the expansion of the electorate was a notable feature he discussed))