WorksheetsPresidential Profile: Buchanan | BIOGRAPHY
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 3hrs 30mins
Read the introduction [paragraphs 1-2] of the article. What purpose does the introduction serve in developing the main idea of the entire article?
It explains the personal views that Buchanan held on the disagreements between states.
It describes the personal qualities of Buchanan that later characterized his presidency.
It highlights the low social standing that prevented Buchanan from marrying.
It establishes that Buchanan was president during a period of great national division.
A reader of the article suggested that the author included the section "Buchanan's Early Years" to show that Buchanan's earlier work in government gave him an advantage later running for president. Which sentence from the section supports this idea?
A graduate of Dickinson College in Central Pennsylvania, he was gifted as a debater and learned in the law.
After being named as U.S. ambassador to Russia, he then served for a decade in the Senate.
As secretary of state he advised the president on matters in other countries and traveled around the world.
Service abroad helped to bring him the Democratic nomination in 1856 because it meant he was not in the country for bitter domestic controversies between the North and South.
What domestic issue dominated Buchanan's four years as president from 1857 to 1861?
the "Dred Scott Decision"
the Kansas-Nebraska Act
slavery
controversy in the Supreme Court
What government positions did James Buchanan serve in BEFORE becoming President? Please select ALL correct answers.
Representative of Pennsylvania
Governor of Pennsylvania
Senator
Secretary of State
Secretary of the Treasury
In the sections "U.S. Constitution Versus Slavery" and "President Faces Roadblocks", the article states that the "Dred Scott Decision" was decided by the Supreme Court. What type of laws Chief Justice Roger B. Taney use to defend the practice of slavery?
United States property laws
the 3/5 Clause of the United States Constitution
The Missouri Compromise
The Compromise of 1850
What decision ensured that the Republican Candidate in 1860, Abraham Lincoln, would win the presidential election?
Republicans were joined by the Whig Party in supporting Lincoln's candidacy.
The Democrats split into two different parties, each supporting a separate candidate, in 1860.
The Constitutional Union Party was founded and attracted many Democrats to support its candidate for President.
None of these answers are correct.
TRUE or FALSE: "President Buchanan believed states could NOT legally secede from the Union."
TRUE; Buchanan did not believe states could secede. However, he also believed the federal government could not stop secession either.
FALSE; Buchanan believed that states could legally secede. So, he attempted to develop a compromise
Under Buchanan's leadership, where were the first shots of the Civil War fired on ships attempting to resupply federal troops in early 1861?
Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina
Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland
Fort Wagner in Charleston, South Carolina
Fort Jackson in Jackson, Mississippi
Complete the sentence. "The central idea of the article is developed by..."
...examples of Buchanan's government service prior to becoming president.
...descriptions of Buchanan's personal opinions on the morality of slavery.
...examples of Buchanan's misunderstanding of sectionalism.
...descriptions of Buchanan's retirement following his term as president.
Which detail would be MOST important to include in a summary of the article?
James Buchanan failed to understand the political overtones of the time.
James Buchanan was born into a well-to-do Pennsylvania merchant family.
James Buchanan believed slavery was protected by the Constitution.
James Buchanan was the only president who was never married.
