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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When discussing the movie "Gettysburg" and the novel "The Killer Angels," McPherson mentions which man who won the medal of honor for defending Little Big Top?

2. During the battle of Fredericksburg, from which state was the corporal who wrote his diary that he was sick, and if not for being thought a sneak, he wouldn't be in the ranks that day?

3. In "Chapter 3: Anxious for the Fray," soldiers on both sides were afraid the war would be over before they had a chance to do anything, a fear written by a recruit from which regiment?

4. Having discussed how the eagerness for battle faded, McPherson goes on to say that soldiers turned to the most pervasive presence: ________?

5. In his discussion of his ancestor, Jesse Beecher, McPherson says that in 1862 Beecher enlisted with the 112th New York at what age?

Short Essay Questions

1. As the Civil War began, in what way did both the North and the South believe they were each fighting for the cause of liberty?

2. Define and explain "rage militaire" as discussed by McPherson in his discussion of the initial impulse that motivated soldiers to fight the Civil War.

3. How did the Calvinist doctrine of predestination factor into soldiers' lives in the discussion of religion?

4. After saying that Civil War soldiers were the most literate in history, what facts and figures does McPherson cite that lend legitimacy to his sources for the book?

5. What conclusion is reached about the role of religion as a motivating factor at the end of "Chapter 5: Religion is What Makes Brave Soldiers"?

6. What questions did the Princeton students have when McPherson took them to Gettysburg in the spring of 1976?

7. What can readers conclude about the use of alcohol as a motivational tool, during "Chapter 4: If I Flinched, I was Ruined"?

8. According to "Chapter 5: Religion is What Makes Brave Soldiers," why does religion become so important to soldiers during war?

9. How did the Civil War transform irresponsible men into responsible ones as the war got underway?

10. Why, in "Chapter 6: A Band of Brothers," were disparaging remarks between regiments so common?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In a well-developed essay, compare and contrast military discipline between the Civil War and one more modern conflict. Include supporting information from the text and outside research as necessary.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze and discuss the effect of what is now known as post-traumatic stress disorder on Civil War soldiers. How did this phenomenon affect their attitudes and effectiveness? Be sure to include supporting information from the book and outside research as necessary.

Essay Topic 3

Pick a quote (at least three sentences) from any soldier McPherson quotes in the book and apply John A. Lynn's three categories to that soldier. Explain how and why Lynn's categories apply to the individual you have chosen, and be sure to include supporting information from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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