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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the spring of 1862, soldiers from which state felt a redoubled commitment to the war effort when large portions of their home state fell to the "insolent invader"?
(a) Mississippi.
(b) Tennessee.
(c) Georgia.
(d) Maryland.

2. While discussing differing interpretations of liberty from North and South, McPherson quotes a Texas cavalryman with Forrest who wrote that the issue was all BUT WHICH of these?
(a) Subjugation.
(b) Confiscation.
(c) Slavery.
(d) Elimination.

3. In "Chapter 8: The Cause of Liberty," which immigrant group drew the clearest parallels between the fight for the Union and the fight for liberty in their home country?
(a) German Americans.
(b) Russian Americans.
(c) Irish Americans.
(d) Italian Americans.

4. Which most notorious massacre of black prisoners happened on April 12, 1864?
(a) Plymouth.
(b) Fort Pillow.
(c) Poison Springs.
(d) Port Royal.

5. Which soldier in the 103rd Ohio denounced the Emancipation Proclamation in letters to family from January to March of 1863?
(a) Captain Clement L. Vallandigham.
(b) Private Chauncey Welton.
(c) General James Vernon.
(d) Colonel Marcus Speigel.

Short Answer Questions

1. After discussing how the language of soldiers in letters home is cliche today, McPherson says that which writer noted that World War I made words like "glory" mock-heroic?

2. McPherson says that one of the reasons for this famous Confederate general's invasion of Tennessee during November 1864 was a hope to revitalize the troops from that state. What was this general's name?

3. During the discussion of the hardships for soldiers' wives, how many married men does McPherson say voluntarily enlisted to fight the war?

4. While talking about the difficulties wives left behind faced, McPherson mentions a sergeant in the 21st Ohio whose wife had written that "your country's cause is my cause." What was her name?

5. When a Pennsylvania cavalry corporal wrote his mother in 1863, he listed his obligations to duty. In what position did he place his obligation to his mother?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the phenomenon of "dry rot," as discussed in "Chapter 10: We Know That We Are Supported at Home."

2. What can be considered ironic about the Confederate fascination with liberty, as discussed in "Chapter 8: The Cause of Liberty"?

3. Explain the massacres of black soldiers, as discussed in "Chapter 11: Vengeance Will be Our Motto."

4. McPherson denies, in the discussion of liberty, that Southern soldiers were obsessed with slavery. What statistical evidence does he supply to support this?

5. In Lincoln's discussions of democracy, what fear did he express if the South should be allowed to secede?

6. What was meant when some soldiers wrote home about being stuck in a "rich man's war," toward the end of "Chapter 7: On the Altar of My Country"?

7. In "Chapter 10: We Know That We are Supported at Home," why did some officers worry that married men made bad soldiers?

8. Under what conditions were black soldiers allowed to join the Confederate army during the final year of the Civil War?

9. Describe the information and political education level maintained by soldiers in "Chapter 7: On the Altar of My Country."

10. When McPherson discusses the extra incentive Confederate soldiers had to keep fighting, what does he say about the Northern opinion of Southern soldiers?

(see the answer keys)

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