Civil War & Reconstruction Quiz

This 1820 agreement allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state and Maine as a free state, maintaining the balance between free and slave states. It also banned slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36°30′ latitude line, except for Missouri. It highlighted growing tensions over slavery.

This 1850 compromise addressed the debate surrounding slavery in the newly acquired territories. It admitted California as a free state, strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act, allowed popular sovereignty in Utah and New Mexico to decide on slavery, and banned the slave trade in Washington, D.C.

This 1854 act repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed Kansas and Nebraska to decide the issue of slavery through popular sovereignty. It led to violence in Kansas as pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces clashed.

This political party opposed the expansion of slavery, arguing it hindered opportunities for free labor. They believed in the importance of free land in the West for white settlers.

This proposal aimed to ban slavery in territories acquired from Mexico. While it failed, it further ignited debates about slavery and set the stage for future conflicts.

This proposed amendment suggested protecting slavery in the South. It included extending the Missouri Compromise line to appease Southern states, but failed to prevent secession.

These were state and local laws in the post-Reconstruction South that enforced racial segregation and disenfranchisement of African Americans. They aimed to solidify white supremacy and limit Black civil rights.

The Union had advantages in population, industry, railroads, and finances. Confederate strengths included experience in military leadership, fighting on home ground, and a strong desire to defend their way of life.

The Emancipation Proclamation was a landmark declaration by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, which freed slaves in Confederate states not under Union control. It fundamentally shifted the purpose of the Civil War from preserving the Union to also ending slavery. This proclamation had a profound impact, encouraging African Americans to join the Union Army and weakening the Confederacy's labor force.

Lincoln faced a delicate balancing act during the Civil War. He aimed to preserve the Union while also addressing the growing pressures from abolitionists to end slavery. To maintain order and suppress dissent, Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus, allowing arrests without trial. He strategically issued the Emancipation Proclamation, not only as a moral stand against slavery but also as a wartime tactic to weaken the Confederacy.

The Reconstruction period witnessed various plans for rebuilding the South after the Civil War. Lincoln's plan was relatively lenient, requiring only 10% of Southern voters to pledge allegiance to the Union. Radical Republicans pushed for a harsher approach, emphasizing civil rights for freedmen and military occupation of the South. President Johnson's plan resembled Lincoln's but was lenient towards ex-Confederates and opposed civil rights measures.

Andrew Johnson, Lincoln's successor, clashed with the Radical Republicans in Congress. Johnson consistently vetoed crucial Reconstruction legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1866. His leniency towards the South and opposition to the 14th Amendment, which guaranteed citizenship and equal rights to African Americans, angered the Republicans. This conflict ultimately led to Johnson's impeachment in 1868, though he was acquitted by a single vote.

The 1876 presidential election was fiercely contested between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel Tilden. The outcome was disputed, leading to the Compromise of 1877. This compromise ultimately declared Hayes the winner in exchange for the withdrawal of federal troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction. This deal marked a turning point in the South's history, allowing former Confederate states to regain control and leading to the disenfranchisement of African Americans.

The Homestead Act of 1862 encouraged westward expansion by offering settlers 160 acres of land for a small fee if they farmed it for five years. This act played a significant role in populating the West, but it also led to conflicts with Native Americans who were displaced from their lands.

The Dawes Act of 1887 aimed to break up tribal lands into individual plots, undermining communal ownership and Native cultures. The Carlisle School, established in 1879, sought to assimilate Native American children by forcibly removing them from their families and subjecting them to English language and American cultural education, erasing their traditions.

Farmers in the late 19th century faced numerous challenges, including indebtedness due to sharecropping and tenant farming arrangements. High transportation costs imposed by railroads further burdened their finances. Moreover, falling crop prices due to overproduction made it difficult for farmers to earn a decent living.

Industrialists used various strategies to suppress organized labor: They hired strikebreakers and Pinkerton agents to break up strikes and prevent workers from organizing. They also blacklisted union organizers, making it difficult for these individuals to find employment. Furthermore, the Sherman Antitrust Act, designed to prevent monopolies, was often used against unions instead, hindering their efforts to bargain collectively.

Andrew Carnegie, a prominent industrialist, promoted philanthropy through his

Aimed to create a fair and just society for all Americans, workers, consumers, and businesses, by promoting economic opportunity, breaking up monopolies, and regulating industries. Notably, it included breaking up monopolies, regulating railroads, and ensuring food and drug safety.

These investigative journalists exposed corruption and abuse in various industries and sectors of society, leading to public awareness and reforms. They often wrote exposes, highlighting social issues and prompting public outcry.

The Sherman Antitrust Act and Clayton Antitrust Act were passed to break up monopolies and promote competition in the market, ensuring fair trade practices and preventing the formation of powerful corporations. They aimed to protect consumers from unfair pricing and limit corporate dominance.

Progressive Era reforms aimed to empower voters by introducing direct election of senators, initiatives, referendums, and recalls. These measures allowed citizens to participate directly in the political process, bypassing party control and increasing their influence on government decisions.

These reforms aimed to improve public health and safety by addressing food safety, controlling drug production, and preventing the spread of diseases. They also promoted consumer protection and made sure products were safe and reliable.

The sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor was blamed on Spain without proof, further fueling public outrage. Also, American economic interests in Cuba and a desire for a stronger global presence contributed.

The U.S.gained control of the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Spain ceded Cuba, granting it independence in 1902.

The Platt Amendment limited Cuba's sovereignty by allowing U.S. intervention and granting the U.S. rights to naval bases like Guantanamo Bay.

The Roosevelt Corollary asserted the U.S.had the right to intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and prevent European interference, Used to justify U.S. interventions.

It called for expanding democracy through reforms like women's suffrage and direct election of senators. Aiming to address problems caused by industrialization, urbanization, and corruption.

Referred to influential journalists like Hearst and Pulitzer who used biased reporting to stir up public emotions.

The U.S. formally annexed Hawaii in 1898 during the Spanish-American War, due to its strategic location in the Pacific. American sugar planters and businessmen had overthrown Queen Liliʻuokalani in 1893.

Theodore Roosevelt led the Rough Riders, a volunteer cavalry regiment, to a key victory at the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba. This bolstered his public image and helped him become President.