Reconstruction Multiple Choice Quiz

What year did Reconstruction begin?

• 1861

• 1863

• 1865

• 1867

Answer explanation

Reconstruction began in 1865, following the end of the Civil War. This period aimed to rebuild the South and integrate formerly enslaved people into society, making 1865 the correct answer.

Who led the Freedmen’s Bureau?

• Andrew Johnson

• Ulysses S. Grant

• Oliver O. Howard

• Thaddeus Stevens

Answer explanation

The Freedmen’s Bureau was led by Oliver O. Howard, a Union general, who played a crucial role in assisting freed slaves during the Reconstruction era.

What percentage of voters had to pledge loyalty under Lincoln’s plan?

• 50%

• 25%

• 10%

• 75%

Answer explanation

Under Lincoln's plan, only 10% of voters in a state had to pledge loyalty to the Union for that state to rejoin. This lenient requirement aimed to encourage quicker reconciliation after the Civil War.

The Wade-Davis Bill required what percentage of voters to pledge loyalty?

• 10%

• 25%

• 50%

• 75%

Answer explanation

The Wade-Davis Bill required 50% of voters in a state to pledge loyalty to the Union before they could be readmitted. This was a stricter requirement than the 10% set by Lincoln's Ten Percent Plan.

Which amendment abolished slavery?

• 13th

• 14th

• 15th

• 16th

Answer explanation

The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery in the United States. It is the correct choice as it specifically addresses the legal end of slavery, unlike the 14th, 15th, and 16th Amendments which focus on citizenship and voting rights.

The Black Codes were designed to:

• Help freedmen vote

• Restrict Black freedom

• Promote civil rights

• Abolish slavery

Answer explanation

The Black Codes were laws enacted in the South after the Civil War to restrict the freedoms of Black people, limiting their rights and maintaining white supremacy, rather than promoting civil rights or helping freedmen vote.

Johnson vetoed the:

• Reconstruction Act

• Freedmen’s Bureau Bill

• Civil Rights Act

• Both B and C

Answer explanation

Johnson vetoed both the Freedmen’s Bureau Bill and the Civil Rights Act, which aimed to protect the rights of newly freed slaves. Therefore, the correct answer is both B and C.

The 14th Amendment guaranteed:

• Voting rights

• Citizenship to all born in the U.S.

• Free education

• Land to former slaves

Answer explanation

The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to all individuals born in the U.S., ensuring that former slaves and their descendants are recognized as citizens. This is a key aspect of the amendment.

Who was the radical Republican leader in the Senate?

• Thaddeus Stevens

• Charles Sumner

• Ulysses S. Grant

• Edwin Stanton

Answer explanation

Charles Sumner was a prominent leader of the Radical Republicans in the Senate, advocating for civil rights and the abolition of slavery, distinguishing him from other figures like Thaddeus Stevens, Ulysses S. Grant, and Edwin Stanton.

What divided the South into five military districts?

• 13th Amendment

• Freedmen’s Bureau

• Reconstruction Act of 1867

• Wade-Davis Bill

Answer explanation

The Reconstruction Act of 1867 divided the South into five military districts to enforce order and oversee the transition to a post-Civil War society, ensuring the rights of newly freed slaves were protected.