Overla Am Hist Sect 1

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Overlagary
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Quizzes Created: 17 | Total Attempts: 15,113
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  • 1/20 Questions

    One fo the most popular books of the pre-Civil War period as written by a lady whose father and husband were both preachers and abolitionists.  The book told about the awful living conditions of slavery and the horrible treatment slaves received from their masters.  The book was called __________________

    • Aunt Viola's Farm
    • The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman
    • Uncle Tom's Cabin
    • Miss Prissy's Plantation
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About This Quiz


This is a short quiz dealing with American History 10 years prior to the Civil War. It encompasses the events from 1850 and the Great Compromise to Lincoln's Election of 1860. We examine what some would argue are the causes of the Civil War in American History.

Overla Am Hist Sect 1 - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    Winner of the 1860 election was _________

    • Bell

    • Breckenridge

    • Douglass

    • Lincoln

    Correct Answer
    A. Lincoln
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Lincoln because he was the winner of the 1860 election.

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  • 3. 

    The main reason that the Supreme Court ruled against Dred Scott in his suit for freedom was _____________

    • He had bad hair

    • He was black

    • He did not have an education

    • He was not considered a citizen

    • Hint: think of the LEGAL reason

    Correct Answer
    A. He was not considered a citizen
    Explanation
    The Supreme Court ruled against Dred Scott in his suit for freedom because he was not considered a citizen. This legal reason was crucial in the court's decision as it prevented Scott from having the right to bring a lawsuit in the first place. The court held that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, were not considered citizens under the U.S. Constitution and therefore did not have the legal standing to sue in federal court. This ruling reinforced the institution of slavery and denied Scott his claim for freedom.

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  • 4. 

    The election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency in 1860 was widely accepted and supported by all Americans

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    The statement is false because the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 was not widely accepted and supported by all Americans. In fact, his election was met with significant opposition from Southern states, many of which eventually seceded from the Union, leading to the American Civil War. Lincoln's presidency was marked by deep divisions and conflict within the country.

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  • 5. 

    In the Dred Scott decision, Chief Justice Taney took the issue of slavery in the case a step further and said that the federal government did not have the power to disallow slavery because any law that did was _____________

    • Unconstitutional

    • Unbelievable

    • Wrong

    • Illegal

    Correct Answer
    A. Unconstitutional
    Explanation
    In the Dred Scott decision, Chief Justice Taney argued that any law disallowing slavery was unconstitutional. This means that he believed such a law went against the principles and provisions of the United States Constitution. By stating that the federal government did not have the power to disallow slavery, Taney was effectively saying that any attempt to do so would be in violation of the Constitution.

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  • 6. 

    The previous question dealt with the book Uncle Tom's Cabin - who was its author

    • Harriet Tubman

    • Harriet Beecher Stowe

    • Sojourner Truth

    • Elizabeth Cady Stanton

    Correct Answer
    A. Harriet Beecher Stowe
    Explanation
    Harriet Beecher Stowe is the correct answer because she is the author of the book Uncle Tom's Cabin. This novel, published in 1852, played a significant role in shaping public opinion about slavery in the United States. Stowe's work portrayed the harsh realities of slavery and its impact on individuals, ultimately contributing to the abolitionist movement.

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  • 7. 

    California had grown in population so quickly mainly due to the _____________

    • Availability of good jobs in 1857

    • Discovery of gold in 1849

    • The expansion of slavery in 1848

    • Compromise of 1850

    Correct Answer
    A. Discovery of gold in 1849
    Explanation
    The discovery of gold in California in 1849 led to a rapid increase in population. This event, known as the California Gold Rush, attracted people from all over the world who were hoping to strike it rich. The promise of wealth and prosperity from mining gold drew thousands of individuals to California, resulting in a significant population boom. This influx of people seeking opportunities in the gold fields fueled the growth of towns and cities, as well as the development of infrastructure and industries in the state.

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  • 8. 

    Those who risked their lives helping fugitive slaves out of slavery into freedom by moving the fugitives from hiding place to hiding place were known as _______________

    • Station masters

    • Conductors

    • Owners

    • Masters

    Correct Answer
    A. Conductors
    Explanation
    The correct answer is conductors. Conductors were individuals who risked their lives to help fugitive slaves escape from slavery to freedom. They played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad, moving the fugitives from one hiding place to another, providing them with shelter, food, and guidance along the way. These conductors were instrumental in ensuring the safety and successful escape of many slaves seeking freedom.

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  • 9. 

    The Underground Railroad is helped thousands of slaves escape the horrors of slavery and escape to freedom in the North or even into Canada.  The MOST famous figure of the Underground Railroad would have been ______________

    • Harriet Beecher Stowe

    • Frederick Douglass

    • Sojourner Truth

    • Harriet Tubman

    • Hint: Take your time and read all the responses

    Correct Answer
    A. Harriet Tubman
    Explanation
    Harriet Tubman is the most famous figure of the Underground Railroad because she played a crucial role in helping thousands of slaves escape to freedom. She not only made multiple dangerous trips herself but also acted as a guide and conductor, leading others to safety. Tubman's bravery, determination, and commitment to the abolitionist cause have made her an iconic symbol of the Underground Railroad and the fight against slavery. Her efforts have left a lasting impact on American history and continue to inspire generations.

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  • 10. 

    The three senators who were in the limelight during the formulation and debate of the Compromise of 1850 were

    • Henry Clay, John Calhoun, Daniel Webster

    • Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, John Bell

    • John Bell, Henry Clay, John Calhoun

    • John C. Breckenridge, John Bell, John Calhoun

    Correct Answer
    A. Henry Clay, John Calhoun, Daniel Webster
    Explanation
    During the formulation and debate of the Compromise of 1850, three senators who played significant roles were Henry Clay, John Calhoun, and Daniel Webster. These three individuals were key figures in the political landscape at the time and were heavily involved in the negotiations and discussions surrounding the Compromise. Henry Clay, known as the "Great Compromiser," was instrumental in crafting the compromise and bringing together different factions. John Calhoun, a prominent pro-slavery advocate, opposed the compromise and fought for the interests of the Southern states. Daniel Webster, on the other hand, supported the compromise and worked to find a middle ground between the North and the South.

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  • 11. 

    The formal withdrawal of a state from the union and it becoming a separate country or entity is called ____________

    • Rejection

    • Abolition

    • Secession

    • Progression

    Correct Answer
    A. Secession
    Explanation
    Secession is the correct answer because it refers to the formal withdrawal of a state from a union, resulting in it becoming a separate country or entity. The other options, rejection, abolition, and progression, do not accurately describe this process.

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  • 12. 

    Which of the following was the goal of abolitionist John Brown when he seized the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry

    • He wanted to protest the Supreme Court's decision in the Dred Scott case

    • He wanted to seize the arsenal and then arm escaped slaves and lead a general slave rebellion against slave owners

    • He didn't have a plan, he was a wack-job

    • He was protesting against the federal government's tax plan

    Correct Answer
    A. He wanted to seize the arsenal and then arm escaped slaves and lead a general slave rebellion against slave owners
    Explanation
    John Brown's goal when he seized the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry was to seize the arsenal and then arm escaped slaves and lead a general slave rebellion against slave owners. This action was part of his larger plan to abolish slavery and fight for the rights of enslaved individuals.

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  • 13. 

    The state of Kansas erupted in violence due to the question of slavery mainly because of which of the following reasons

    • Border Ruffians from Missouri would cross into Kansas territory and wreak havoc on anti-slavery settlements

    • Border Ruffians from Missouri crossed into Kansas voted illegally for pro-slavery candidates and left

    • The Kansas-Nebraska Act was a terrible law because the federal government could not ensure civility

    • ALL of the above reasons are why Kansas erupted into violence

    Correct Answer
    A. ALL of the above reasons are why Kansas erupted into violence
    Explanation
    The state of Kansas erupted in violence due to the question of slavery for multiple reasons. Border Ruffians from Missouri would cross into Kansas territory and cause chaos in anti-slavery settlements, which escalated tensions. Additionally, these Border Ruffians would illegally vote for pro-slavery candidates and then leave, further exacerbating the conflict. Furthermore, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed for popular sovereignty in deciding the issue of slavery, was seen as a flawed law as the federal government was unable to ensure peace and order. Therefore, all of these reasons contributed to the eruption of violence in Kansas.

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  • 14. 

    Because the Kansas-Nebraska territory was north of the 36 30 parallel line, slavery could not legally exist there, according to the Missouri Compromise of 1820.  Which of the following solutions was proposed by Senator Stephen Douglass to deal with this

    • Divide the territory in two, Kansas in the South and Nebraska in the North and let settlers decide on the issue of slavery by voting

    • Congress would decide for the settlers whether the territory should be slave or free

    • Congress simply said that the territory would be free

    • Congress simply said that the territory would be slave

    Correct Answer
    A. Divide the territory in two, Kansas in the South and Nebraska in the North and let settlers decide on the issue of slavery by voting
    Explanation
    Senator Stephen Douglas proposed the solution of dividing the Kansas-Nebraska territory into two parts, Kansas in the South and Nebraska in the North, and allowing settlers to decide on the issue of slavery through voting. This solution, known as popular sovereignty, aimed to give the power to determine whether the territory would be slave or free to the people living there. By doing so, it overturned the Missouri Compromise's restriction on slavery north of the 36 30 parallel line and allowed for the potential expansion of slavery into previously prohibited territories.

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  • 15. 

    Punishment for violation of the Fugitive Slave Act were harsh.  Under the law, anyone convicted of helping a fugitive slave were subject to _____________________

    • Fines up to $10,000 and 10 years in prison

    • Fines up to $500 and 6 months in prison

    • Fines up to $1,000 and 6 months in prison

    • Fines up to $1,000 and 5 years in prison

    Correct Answer
    A. Fines up to $1,000 and 6 months in prison
    Explanation
    Under the Fugitive Slave Act, individuals who were convicted of aiding a fugitive slave were subjected to fines up to $1,000 and 6 months in prison. This suggests that the punishment for violating the act was severe, as it involved both a substantial financial penalty and a significant period of incarceration. The combination of fines and imprisonment aimed to deter individuals from assisting runaway slaves and enforce the law's provisions.

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  • 16. 

    Of the following, which is the correct political party, candidate, and platform:

    • Republican - John Bell - allow popular sovereignty to decide slavery in a state

    • Northern Democrat - Stephen Douglass - federal government has no right to decide where slavery is allowed or not

    • Constitutional Unionist Party - John Bell - protect the constitution and preserve the union

    • Southern Democrat - John C. Breckenridge - allow states voters to decide whether slavery should be allowed in that state or not

    Correct Answer
    A. Constitutional Unionist Party - John Bell - protect the constitution and preserve the union
    Explanation
    The correct political party, candidate, and platform is the Constitutional Unionist Party with John Bell as the candidate. Their platform is to protect the constitution and preserve the union.

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  • 17. 

    Which of the four political parties AND their candidate in the 1860 election adopted the following platform:        had no real stance against slavery but supported the constitution and wanted to keep the union together at all costs

    • Constitutional Unionist Party - John Bell

    • Constitutional Unionist Party - John C. Breckenridge

    • Republican Party - Stephen Douglass

    • Democratic Party - John Bell

    Correct Answer
    A. Constitutional Unionist Party - John Bell
    Explanation
    The correct answer is the Constitutional Unionist Party - John Bell. This party and its candidate, John Bell, had no real stance against slavery but supported the constitution and wanted to keep the union together at all costs.

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  • 18. 

    In 1850, Henry Clay, the Senator from Kentucky offered his compromise plan in allowing the state of California to become part of the Union.  Of the provisions listed below, which one is NOT part of the Compromise of 1850

    • To appease the North, California would be admitted to the Union as a free state

    • To accomodate the South, a new and more effective fugitive slave law would be part of the bill

    • To please both sides, a provision of popular soveriegnty was put in place to let the people of the territories of Utah and New Mexico decide if they would be slave or free

    • Missouri would be allowed into the union as a slave state

    • HINT: keep in mind that the year is 1850

    Correct Answer
    A. Missouri would be allowed into the union as a slave state
    Explanation
    The Compromise of 1850 was a series of legislative measures aimed at resolving the contentious issue of slavery in the United States. It was designed to balance the interests of both the North and the South. One of the provisions of the Compromise was the admission of California as a free state, which was intended to appease the North. Another provision was the implementation of a new and more effective fugitive slave law to accommodate the South. Additionally, a provision of popular sovereignty was included to allow the people of Utah and New Mexico to decide on the issue of slavery. However, the statement that Missouri would be allowed into the Union as a slave state is not part of the Compromise of 1850.

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  • 19. 

    Hopefully you answered false to the previous question:  State the reasons that Lincoln's election was so divisive in our country:

  • 20. 

    In your opinion, could the Civil War have been avoided?  Please explain your answer in some detail

Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Dec 13, 2023 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Dec 13, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Sep 03, 2010
    Quiz Created by
    Overlagary
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