US Civil War and Secession Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What was Abraham Lincoln's main goal during his presidency?

To promote economic growth in the South

To end slavery across the United States

To keep the Union together (correct)

To support Southern states' rights

What triggered South Carolina's decision to secede from the Union?

Economic struggles in the South

The election of Lincoln (correct)

Pressure from wealthy plantation owners

The threat of Northern invasion

How did Georgians feel about secession?

All Georgians opposed secession due to economic concerns

Opinions were divided between pro and anti-secession factions (correct)

Only plantation owners supported secession

There was unanimous support for leaving the Union

What concern did Alexander Stephens express regarding civil war?

It could lead to economic ruin for the South Signup and view all the answers

Who were the 'fire eaters' in Georgia's secession debate?

Those who wanted immediate secession Signup and view all the answers

What type of farms did those opposing secession in Georgia typically own?

Small farms without slaves Signup and view all the answers

What role did Alexander Stephens take after Georgia seceded?

He became Vice President of the Confederacy Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Alexander Stephens after the Civil War?

He was imprisoned for five months Signup and view all the answers

What was the Supreme Court's ruling in the Dred Scott case regarding the status of slaves and freed blacks?

They were classified as property and could not sue. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Supreme Court declare about the federal government and slavery in U.S. territories?

Slavery could be expanded into western territories without restrictions. Signup and view all the answers

Which political party was formed in 1854 to oppose the spread of slavery?

Republican Party Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the Republican Party when it was initially formed?

To prevent the spread of slavery in new states and territories. Signup and view all the answers

What action did President Jackson threaten to take against South Carolina regarding nullification?

Send in military troops Signup and view all the answers

Which candidate did the Republicans nominate for president in 1860?

Abraham Lincoln Signup and view all the answers

What was one provision of the Compromise of 1850 regarding California?

It would be admitted as a free state Signup and view all the answers

What concept did Northern Democrats support in the election of 1860?

Popular sovereignty Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the Dred Scott v. Sanford case?

The Supreme Court ruled that slaves were property Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary issue that brought the topic of states' rights into controversy after the Constitution was written?

The issue of slavery Signup and view all the answers

How did the division of votes among the Democratic candidates affect the election of 1860?

It weakened their chances against the Republican candidate. Signup and view all the answers

What concept did the Georgia Platform advocate for regarding the Union?

States' rights while remaining in the Union Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'nullification' refer to in the context of states' rights?

The ability of states to ignore federal laws Signup and view all the answers

Which party was distinct and nominated a candidate separate from the Democrats in the 1860 election?

Constitutional Union Party Signup and view all the answers

Why did the South generally oppose tariffs during the early 19th century?

They were primarily agricultural and imported many goods Signup and view all the answers

What did the Fugitive Slave Act entail?

It forced escaped slaves to return to the South Signup and view all the answers

What issue did Dred Scott raise in his lawsuit for freedom?

The impact of territory on slave status Signup and view all the answers

What was the Tariff of 1832 referred to by the Southerners?

Tariff of Abominations Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key effects of nullification claims as demonstrated by South Carolina?

It heightened tensions between state and federal government Signup and view all the answers

How did the compromises of the 1850s, including the Compromise of 1850, ultimately affect the Civil War?

They delayed the Civil War for over a decade. Signup and view all the answers

What popular sovereignty meant in the context of the Compromise of 1850?

Residents of a territory can decide on slavery Signup and view all the answers

What was the cornerstone claim of Robert Toombs regarding the government?

States are free and independent with equal power Signup and view all the answers

What was a potential consequence of states adopting the belief in nullification?

Disputes over legal authority between states and the federal government Signup and view all the answers

Under the Articles of Confederation, how was the balance of power characterized?

States were given too much power, leading to a weak federal government Signup and view all the answers

What concept refers to loyalty to a specific region over the nation as a whole?

Sectionalism Signup and view all the answers

What period is referred to as the time in the South before the Civil War?

Antebellum Period Signup and view all the answers

What invention significantly increased the demand for slaves in the South?

Cotton Gin Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary economic reliance of the Southern states before the Civil War?

Agriculture and Slavery Signup and view all the answers

How did Northern states view the expansion of slavery into new territories?

They opposed it in favor of free territories. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a justification for slavery presented by some individuals?

Dependency of the Southern economy on slavery Signup and view all the answers

What concern did Joseph E. Brown raise about the abolition of slavery?

Effect on non-slaveholders and poor white laborers in the South Signup and view all the answers

Which prominent figure argued for the inherent rights of all human beings, regardless of race?

William Lloyd Garrison Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Causes of the Civil War

Tensions between the North and South had been escalating for decades before the Civil War began in 1861.
The North and South developed differently.
Sectionalism increased, prioritizing regional loyalty over national unity.
The period before the Civil War in the South is called the Antebellum Period.
Many factors contributed to the Civil War, but the issue of slavery was central.

Slavery in the USA

From the start of the Georgia colony, slavery was banned, but later allowed due to the agricultural economy's reliance on it.
The invention of the cotton gin led to an increase in the demand for slaves.
There were diverse views on slavery across the nation.
The Southern economy relied heavily on slavery.
The expansion of U.S. territories made the issue of slavery more significant.
Southern states sought to expand slavery into new territories, while Northern states wished for them to remain free.

White Class Structure in the South (1860)

In 1860, a small percentage of the South's population owned slaves.
76.1% were non-slaveholders
17.2% owned 1–9 slaves.
6.6% owned 10–99 slaves.
0.1% owned 100+ slaves.

Slavery Through Different Eyes

Different individuals had varying perspectives on slavery. This is shown through the different portrayals of abolitionists and pro-slavery people.
John Brown, an abolitionist, held a different perspective than a Southern slaveholder like Thomas Cobb.
Abolitionists like William Lloyd Garrison voiced their opposition to slavery.
Other voices, like Joseph E. Brown, expressed concern regarding the impact of abolishing slavery on the Southern economy.
Harriet Beecher Stowe, another abolitionist, further highlighted the injustices of slavery in her writing.

States' Rights

States' rights concerns the balance of power between individual states and the federal government.
The Articles of Confederation provided states with excessive power, leading to a weak federal government.
The Constitution aimed to resolve this imbalance, creating a stronger federal government.
However, controversy surrounding states' rights arose, particularly over the issue of slavery.
The issue of states' rights during the Civil War was greatly impacted by conflicting views on the future of slavery.

Nullification Crisis

Nullification is the belief that a state can reject a federal law perceived as unconstitutional.
In the early 1830s, South Carolina contested a federal tariff, arguing it was unconstitutional, leading to the nullification crisis.
Tariffs, taxes on imported goods, were vital to the North's industrial growth.
However, these tariffs hurt the Southern economy by making European goods more expensive, as it greatly impacted cotton exports.
President Jackson responded firmly to South Carolina's challenge, preventing the state from seceding.

The Compromise of 1850

The Compromise of 1850 was a series of agreements to manage the issue of slavery expansion into new territories.
Compromises like the Missouri Compromise attempted to maintain a state balance of power between free and slave states in the Senate.
However, these compromises failed to fully prevent the Civil War and only sought to delay it.
Provisions of the compromise included admitting California as a free state and establishing territorial popular sovereignty.
Additionally, the Fugitive Slave Act and the ban of the slave trade in Washington, D.C. were important elements of the compromise.

Dred Scott Decision

The Dred Scott v. Sanford case in 1857 sparked further controversy.
Dred Scott, a Missouri slave, sued for his freedom, arguing that his time in free territories made him free.
The Supreme Court ruled against Dred Scott, declaring that slaves and freed blacks were not citizens and couldn't sue in federal court.
This decision had long-term implications, further dividing the nation.
The Court asserted that banning slavery in U.S. territories was unconstitutional, allowing the expansion of slavery.

Election of 1860

The election of 1860 shaped the political landscape, with differing candidates representing different views on slavery.
The Republicans, with Abraham Lincoln as their nominee, opposed the expansion of slavery.
The Democratic party split, with different candidates from various regions pursuing different agendas.
Lincoln's election raised fears in the Southern states.

Secession

South Carolina seceded from the Union in December 1860, fearing that Abraham Lincoln's election signaled an end to slavery.
Georgia's decision was marked by divided opinions on secession, with key figures like Alexander Stephens disagreeing.
During this time there were strong arguments for and against secession.
Georgians were divided regarding the decision to secede. Those in favor viewed it as vital for preserving their Southern way of life and economic interests, while those opposed prioritized maintaining unity in the Union.
The decision to secede led to the formation of the Confederate States of America, marking the turning point to civil war.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key events and figures leading up to the American Civil War. This quiz covers topics such as Abraham Lincoln's presidency, the secession of Southern states, and significant Supreme Court rulings regarding slavery. Explore the political atmosphere of the time and the opinions of various groups involved in the debate over secession.