WorksheetsThe Union in Crisis
Total questions: 30
Worksheet time: 15mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
The U.S. had recently gained territory in the west (California, New Mexico and Arizona Territory) and this caused a national controversy. What was the controversy about?
a)
Whether there should be slavery or no slavery in the newly acquired land.
b)
Whether Mexico should be able to jointly make decisions about running the newly acquired land.
c)
Whether American settlers could move to the newly acquired land.
2.
What was the importance of the Compromise of 1850?
a)
It kept the union together for another ten years.
b)
It caused the nation to move more quickly to secession.
c)
It caused the nation to go to war.
d)
It kept Mexico from joining the war.
3.
Uncle Tom's Cabin played a major role in the tensions surrounding the slavery question. Select the item below that best describes the Southern perspective of the book.
a)
They made sure it was widely available to people in the South as it accurately portrayed life in the South.
b)
They people were indifferent to the book.
c)
The book was widely condemned as false and spread lies about their way of life.
4.
Uncle Tom's Cabin played a major role in the tensions surrounding the slavery question. Select the item below that best describes the Northern perspective of the book.
a)
More people joined the abolition cause - condemning the South and more activity with the Underground Railroad
b)
People decided to leave the abolition cause because the book lied about the Southern way of life.
c)
People were indifferent - it didn't change their lives much
5.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act resulted in a situation called "Bleeding Kansas". Why?
a)
As abolitionists and pro-slavery people raced into Kansas they began to fight over the same land
b)
Kansas citizens wanted to be their own country so they started a war to gain independence
c)
Abolitionists and pro-slavery people began to fight because they didn't want the other side to have more of their supporters in the territory.
6.
Why was the Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) case important?
a)
The court's decision essentially stated that slavery was constitutional when they determined that Dred Scott could not sue because he was a slave
b)
The court refused to hear the case because Dred Scott had lived in a free state
c)
The court's decision clarified the question, 'Is slavery legal?' with a "No" it is not legal/constitutitonal.
7.
What was the impact of John Brown’s raid at Harper’s Ferry on abolitionists?
a)
They were encouraged by his raid and considered him a martyr for the cause.
b)
The raid was seen as too much like Nat Turner's rebellion and would actually cause the nation to become more inclined to keep slavery
c)
Abolitionists believed that John Brown was a traitor to their cause
8.
Why did South Carolina promise to secede if Abraham Lincoln won the 1860 election?
a)
Abraham Lincoln ran his election promising to end slavery in the nation
b)
They knew that Lincoln was going to raise tariffs which would hurt the south economically
c)
They felt that Abraham Lincolnwas lying about not ending slavery where it currently existed
d)
They felt that Abraham Lincoln would remove States' Rights and Nullification
9.
The Civil War did not have to happen. President Lincoln could have done what to not let it start?
a)
He could have let the states leave the Union and not sent the U.S. Army to invade the south and make them return to the Union
b)
He could have had Congress pass a law making it illegal and then the states would not have seceded.
c)
He might have held a conference with the southern leaders to convince them to not declare war on the U.S.
10.
Why did both sides feel the need to enact conscription?
a)
They both did not want to have just volunteers fighting
b)
The war was taking a long time and they didn't have enough soldiers to fight
c)
Europe was sending troops to fight so both sides needed more troops to fight the Europeans
11.
The war is considered a long war so the North won. Why?
a)
The North had more resources - this becomes a factor when a war lasts longer than two years.
b)
The South had more resources, but their commanders were incompetent causing them to lose the war.
c)
Both sides had the same number of resources, but the South mismanaged and wasted theirs
12.
Why could President Lincoln not allow Europe to recognize the CSA?
a)
Europe and the CSA would then have trade and the CSA would obtain much needed supplies
b)
Europe also believed slavery was okay and Lincoln did not want Europe to help the CSA keep slavery
c)
The Union wanted to trade with Europe and the CSA and Europe would only pick one to trade with.
13.
Why did President Lincoln suspend the writ of habeas corpus in Maryland?
a)
He suspended the writ of habeas corpus because when a war happens, the president has more power
b)
The president suspended the writ to keep Maryland from joining the CSA
c)
He wanted to encourage the other border states to free their slaves like Maryland did
14.
Regarding diplomacy, what was Europe's role in the Civil War?
a)
Europe recognized the CSA and helped them with weapons and troops
b)
Europe send weapons, medical supplies, and navies to help the USA fight
c)
Europe watched closely, but did not send military supplies or troops especially after the Trent Affair
15.
The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves _______ .
a)
in the USA
b)
in rebel controlled territory
c)
in all the Border States
16.
1863 is considered a "shifting tide" because Union soldiers fought to: (1) preserve the Union & (2) _______?
a)
punish the South
b)
free slaves
c)
Independence
17.
1863 is entitled, "Shifting Tide" because two battles concluded on July 4, 1863 that marked the "Turning Point" of the war. What were the two crucial battles?
a)
Gettysburg & Vicksburg
b)
Gettysburg & Chickamauga
c)
Vicksburg & Chickamauga
d)
Gettysburg & Antietam
18.
Infantry Tactics - Why did the soldiers fight shoulder to shoulder over open terrain?
a)
They thought they could shoot better than the opposition
b)
They hope to die for their country
c)
They had to bring concentrated fire on the opposition to force the opposition to retreat
19.
Because he won so many battles throughout the war and especially in 1864 & 1865, who is considered the winning general of the Civil War?
a)
Ulysses S. Grant
b)
William T. Sherman
c)
George Thomas
d)
Robert E. Lee
20.
According to Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural Address, what was his position regarding how to deal with the South when the war ended.
a)
Punish the leaders, starting with President Davis
b)
Try President Davis for treason, and imprison the other CSA government leaders
c)
Do not hate, seek healing and forgiveness, and care for those who lost husbands, fathers
21.
1865, was the year the Civil War ended. Why was it considered bittersweet for the Union?
a)
President Lincoln was killed
b)
President Davis was arrested and imprisoned for life
c)
The nation was embroiled in a guerilla war, even thought the CSA generals surrendered
22.
What does the assassination of President Lincoln reveal?
a)
Some people in the South were desperate and willing to do anything to "win" the war.
b)
Abraham Lincoln was not well-liked by the American people
c)
The hatred against President Lincoln for freeing all of the slaves in the U.S.
23.
What freed all the slaves (North, South, West)?
a)
13th Amendment
b)
14th Amendment
c)
the Emancipation Proclamation
24.
Which of the following causes of secession, was political?
a)
Slavery
b)
Tariffs
c)
States' Rights
25.
Which of the following causes of secession, was social/emotional?
a)
Slavery
b)
Tariffs
c)
States' Rights
26.
Which of the following causes of secession, was economic?
a)
Slavery
b)
Tariffs
c)
States' Rights
27.
A soldier's life during the Civil War was often not fighting. Which category would chopping wood fall under?
a)
Duty
b)
Drill
c)
Diversion
28.
A soldier's life during the Civil War was often not fighting. Which category would learning to maneuver with your company and regiment fall under?
a)
Duty
b)
Drill
c)
Diversion
29.
A soldier's life during the Civil War was often not fighting. Which category would writing letters and playing ball fall under?
a)
Duty
b)
Drill
c)
Diversion
30.
The Aftermath of the Civil War included many aspects. Which of the following is NOT one of them?
a)
650,000 died
b)
Robert E. Lee became the president of the U.S.
c)
The Federal government was more powerful than the states
d)
The Union was preserved
e)
Weapons Advancement
100 %
