Reconstruction Vocabulary

What was the main goal of the Reconstruction period?

• To start the Civil War

• To reunite the North and the South

• To expand the U.S. territory

• To abolish the Constitution

Answer explanation

The main goal of the Reconstruction period was to reunite the North and the South after the Civil War, addressing the political, social, and economic challenges that arose from the conflict.

What is the legal status of being a citizen of a country called?

• Residency

• Naturalization

• Immigration

• Citizenship

Answer explanation

The legal status of being a citizen of a country is referred to as 'Citizenship'. It defines the rights and responsibilities of individuals within a nation.

What does the term 'assassination' refer to?

• A natural death

• An accidental death

• A death by illness

• A purposeful killing of a famous or important person

Answer explanation

The term 'assassination' specifically refers to the purposeful killing of a famous or important person, distinguishing it from natural, accidental, or illness-related deaths.

What does 'Equal Protection Under the Law' ensure?

• Same rights, privileges, and protections for all people

• Different rights for different people

• No rights for anyone

• Only rights for government officials

Answer explanation

'Equal Protection Under the Law' ensures that all individuals receive the same rights, privileges, and protections, promoting fairness and equality in legal matters.

Who are delegates?

• Members of the military

• Judges in the Supreme Court

• Elected members of Congress who represent the people

• Citizens who vote

Answer explanation

Delegates are elected members of Congress who represent the people. They play a crucial role in the legislative process, voicing the concerns and interests of their constituents in government.

What are amendments?

• Changes or additions to the Constitution

• Laws that never change

• Temporary laws

• Old rules that are no longer used

Answer explanation

Amendments are changes or additions to the Constitution, allowing it to evolve over time. The other options do not accurately describe amendments, making this the correct choice.

What was the purpose of the Freedmen’s Bureau?

• To build new schools in the North

• To create new laws for the South

• To help freed slaves and poor people after the Civil War

• To support the Confederate army

Answer explanation

The Freedmen’s Bureau was established to assist freed slaves and impoverished individuals in the South after the Civil War, providing essential services like education, healthcare, and employment support.

What did the Democrats of the 1870s support?

• Equal voting rights for all

• Civil rights for African Americans

• Jim Crow Laws and Black Codes

• Abolition of slavery

Answer explanation

In the 1870s, Democrats supported Jim Crow Laws and Black Codes, which enforced racial segregation and restricted the rights of African Americans, contrary to the ideals of equal voting rights and civil rights.

What was the Compromise of 1877?

• A law to expand the U.S. territory

• A treaty with foreign countries

• An agreement that ended Reconstruction

• An agreement to start the Civil War

Answer explanation

The Compromise of 1877 was an agreement that effectively ended Reconstruction by resolving the disputed 1876 presidential election, leading to the withdrawal of federal troops from the South and allowing Southern states to regain control.

What was the significance of the Gettysburg Address?

• It declared the end of the Civil War

• It honored soldiers who died in the Battle of Gettysburg

• It was a speech to start a new war

• It was a declaration of independence

Answer explanation

The Gettysburg Address, delivered by Abraham Lincoln, honored the soldiers who died in the Battle of Gettysburg, emphasizing the principles of human equality and the importance of preserving the nation.