Question 1

The Democratic Party split in 1860 over the question of whether to:

Accepted Answer

The Democratic Party split in 1860 over the question of whether to protect slavery in the territories or allow popular sovereignty in them. This division ultimately led to the election of Abraham Lincoln as president and the secession of Southern states from the Union.

Question 2

What 1854 document called for the United States to seize Cuba?

Accepted Answer

The Ostend Manifesto was a document in 1854 that suggested the U.S. should acquire Cuba from Spain, by force if necessary.

Question 3

In the 1850s, Tennessee-born William Walker became famous for:

Accepted Answer

William Walker sought to establish himself as ruler of a slaveholding Nicaragua in the 1850s, famously declaring himself President of Nicaragua in 1856.

Question 4

Which of the following puts these events in the proper chronological order, from first to last? I. Virginia seceded from the Union
II) Abraham Lincoln was first elected president
III) Confederate States of America formed
IV) South Carolina seceded from the Union

Accepted Answer

Abraham Lincoln was elected president in November 1860, South Carolina seceded in December 1860, the Confederate States of America was formed in February 1861, and Virginia seceded in April 1861.

Question 5

The Texas independence movement was sparked in part because the Mexican government, alarmed that its grip on the area was weakening, annulled existing land contracts and barred future emigration from the United States in 1830.

Accepted Answer

This is true. Mexican officials did annul existing land contracts and barred future emigration from the United States, which helped to spark the Texas independence movement.

Question 6

Unlike most previous presidents, James Polk was not a slaveholder.

Accepted Answer

James Polk was a slaveholder; he owned slaves during his lifetime and presidency.

Question 7

During the secession winter of 1860-1861, who offered the most widely supported compromise plan in Congress, which allowed the westward extension of the Missouri Compromise line?

Accepted Answer

John Crittenden offered the Crittenden Compromise plan, which proposed extending the Missouri Compromise line to the Pacific Ocean and guaranteeing the continuance of slavery in states where it already existed. It was the most widely supported compromise plan in Congress but ultimately failed to prevent the outbreak of the Civil War.

Question 8

The explosive population growth and competition for gold brought cooperation among California's many racial and ethnic groups as they worked together for wealth.

Accepted Answer

The explosive population growth and competition for gold in California often led to conflict and discrimination among different racial and ethnic groups, rather than cooperation.

Question 9

In 1860, which state became the first to pass an ordinance of secession and declare itself separated from the Union?

Accepted Answer

South Carolina was the first state to pass an ordinance of secession on December 20, 1860.

Question 10

In the 1860 election, how many different presidential candidates won electoral votes?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the 1860 election, how many different...

Question 11

The city of Melbourne in Australia prospered because of a gold rush, much as San Francisco did and at about the same time.

Accepted Answer

This is true. Melbourne experienced a significant increase in population and wealth during the Victorian gold rush in the 1850s, which helped to establish it as one of Australia's largest and richest cities.

Question 12

It is ironic that the South supported the Fugitive Slave Act because that law gave enormous power to the federal government to override local authorities, which is something that the South had traditionally opposed.

Accepted Answer

The South had historically supported states' rights and opposed federal government overreach, but the Fugitive Slave Act gave the federal government the power to enforce slavery law even in states where it was illegal, overriding local authorities. This was a contradictory stance.

Question 13

The 1860 Republican platform stated all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The 1860 Republican platform did not call for the abolition of slavery in the nation's capital; it focused on preventing the expansion of slavery into new territories.

Question 14

Abraham Lincoln fully supported President Polk's justification for declaring war against Mexico in1846.

Accepted Answer

Abraham Lincoln was a member of the Whig Party at the time and opposed the war with Mexico. He accused Polk of lying about the circumstances that led to the war and believed that it was an unjust aggression against a weaker nation.

Question 15

The Wilmot Proviso was an attempt to annex Cuba.

Accepted Answer

The Wilmot Proviso was actually an amendment proposed in 1846 to prohibit slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico during the Mexican-American War. It was not related to Cuba or annexation.

Question 16

In spite of the controversy over the Statute of Freedom, Thomas Crawford refused to change his original design of the statue

Accepted Answer

The answer of In spite of the controversy over the...

Question 17

In the presidential election of 1860, the two candidates who received the most votes in the southern states were:

Accepted Answer

John Breckinridge and John Bell received the most votes in the southern states as they were both seen as more favorable to the idea of states' rights, which was a major issue in the election. This split in the Democratic Party between Breckinridge and Stephen Douglas, who received more support in the northern states, ultimately helped Abraham Lincoln win the election with only 40% of the popular vote.

Question 18

The American Civil War began in April 1861, when:

Accepted Answer

Confederate forces fired upon and captured Fort Sumter, a Union fort in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. This event is widely considered to be the start of the American Civil War.

Question 19

The issue of Texas annexation was hotly linked to slavery and affected the nominations of presidential candidates in the 1840s.

Accepted Answer

Texas annexation was a highly controversial issue as it was strongly linked to the expansion of slavery. This led to debates and discussions during the presidential nominations in the 1840s, making it a key issue in the political landscape of the time.

Question 20

Oliver Perry led the contingent of U.S. warships that helped to open Japan to American trade in 1854.

Accepted Answer

It was Commodore Matthew Perry, not Oliver Perry, who led the U.S. naval expedition to Japan in 1854 to open trade relations.

Quiz 13: A House Divided, 1840 -1861