U.S. History Quiz: Lincoln and Civil War Era

A group of people who share commonalities, regardless of size. It can range from a small group (like a sports fan club) to a larger entity (like a nation).

A feeling of pride and love for your nation or group, often associated with patriotism.

A political entity with a government, people, and sovereignty, implying absolute control over itself.

The first government of the United States, formed after independence. It lacked a strong central authority, causing challenges in governing the newly formed nation.

A plan proposed in the Constitutional Convention that favored larger states, proposing a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.

Plan proposed in the Constitutional Convention favoring smaller states, advocating for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for all states.

The compromise reached in the Constitutional Convention, creating a bicameral legislature with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with equal representation for all states.

The clause in the Constitution that resolved the debate over counting slaves for representation. It stipulated that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for purposes of representation and taxation.

A legal document issued by a judge that authorizes a search of a person or property.

A reasonable belief that a crime has been or is being committed.

The Fifth Amendment protects individuals from self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and ensures due process of law.

The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, a lawyer (if you can't afford one), and the right to confront witnesses.

The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail.

The Ninth Amendment states that rights not explicitly listed in the Bill of Rights are still protected.

The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not granted to the federal government to the states or the people.

The belief that the United States had a divine right to expand its territory across North America.

The surrender of the Confederate Army to the Union Army, marking the end of the American Civil War.

The leader of the Union Army during the American Civil War, he led the Union to victory and played a significant role in preserving the nation.

The capital of the Confederate States of America, located in Richmond, Virginia, it was ultimately captured and burned by the Union forces.

A pivotal event that marked the transformation of the United States from a predominantly rural nation to an urban one. It represented a leap in engineering and construction, symbolizing the rise of industry and modern infrastructure.

A revolutionary process invented by Henry Bessemer, it enabled the cheap and rapid production of steel, propelling the growth of a new industry and significantly impacting infrastructure development.

A valuable material known for its strength, flexibility, and durability. Its properties made it ideal for building bridges, railways, and other large-scale infrastructure projects.

The two major industries that emerged alongside the rise of industrialization in the United States, driving economic growth and contributing to the growth of cities.

The central location for industries like steel, Chicago emerged as a thriving industrial hub, demonstrating the rise of industry in the Midwest.

A treaty that officially ended World War I. It was signed in 1919 by the victorious Allied Powers and the defeated nation of Germany.

A group of nations formed after World War I to promote international cooperation and prevent future wars. It was Woodrow Wilson's brainchild, but the US never joined.

A region of land designed to act as a buffer between two countries, typically aimed at preventing future conflicts. In the context of the Treaty of Versailles, it aimed to separate Germany from France.

The belief that the US should not be involved in foreign affairs and conflicts. It was a prominent viewpoint in the US Congress at the time.

A region of land that belonged to Germany but was returned to France following World War I as a part of the Treaty of Versailles.

Refrigerated rail cars revolutionized food distribution, allowing for the transportation of perishable goods over long distances. This led to lower meat prices and greater access to seasonal produce.

The QWERTY keyboard layout, standardized by Christopher Sholes, aimed to slow down typing speed to prevent typebars from jamming, ultimately increasing typing efficiency and productivity.

Heinrich Hertz's experimentation with radio waves paved the way for the development of radio and X-rays, revolutionizing communication and medical imaging.

George Eastman's Kodak camera made photography accessible to the masses by introducing a simple, user-friendly camera and inexpensive roll film.

The period between 1865 and 1900 saw a massive influx of over 13.5 million immigrants to the United States, primarily from Europe. Many faced hardships, leaving their families behind to seek better opportunities in America.

Factors like war, famine, religious persecution, and overpopulation drove millions of Europeans to immigrate to the United States during the late 19th century.

The Irish Potato Famine, which devastated the potato crop in Ireland, resulted in mass emigration to the United States as people sought to escape starvation and poverty.

The influx of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe in the late 19th century, often referred to as "new" immigrants, brought diverse cultures and languages to the United States, creating a more heterogeneous society.

A policy that allows all countries equal opportunities to trade within a particular region, often used to describe the US's goal in Asia at the time.

Areas where foreign powers have significant political and economic control over another country. These powers often directly influence the government and financial affairs of the controlled nation.

A movement by Chinese nationalists who aimed to expel all foreigners from their nation, believing they were corrupting Chinese culture and politics.

Theodore Roosevelt's belief that the United States had a responsibility to intervene in the affairs of weaker nations, especially those in Latin America, to protect American interests.

The use of poisonous gas as a weapon in warfare, first employed by Germany in World War I with chlorine gas.

A type of warfare employed by German submarines during World War I, involving surprise attacks against merchant ships without warning.

A telegram intercepted by British intelligence in 1917, revealing a secret agreement between Germany and Mexico for a potential alliance against the United States.

A British passenger ship sunk by a German submarine in 1915, killing one American and escalating US tensions with Germany.

A British passenger ship sunk by a German submarine in 1916, resulting in the deaths of American citizens and ultimately pushing the US closer to war.