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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. As "Chapter 9: Slavery Must be Cleaned Out" opens, McPherson says a Texas private predicted Confederate victory how long before General Lee surrendered at Appomattox?

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. In the discussion of Southern bitterness toward the North, from which state was the corporal who wrote it would be best "if the whole Yankee race could be swept from the face of the earth"?

4. After the discussion of the conflict between love of family and love of country, McPherson quotes an Alabama soldier as saying he worried for his wife if they failed. What was his wife's name?

5. During the discussion of the American volunteers in the Spanish Civil War, what percentage found that "belief in war aims" helped overcome the fear of battle?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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"?

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

3. Based on the discussion of post-traumatic stress disorder, how likely does McPherson consider the possibility that many regiments suffered from this now well-acknowledged psychological issue?

4. Why are there no letters from black Union soldiers, according to "Chapter 9: Slavery Must be Cleaned Out"?

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

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

7. In the discussion of revenge, why does McPherson say that the Confederate army was more motivated by hatred and revenge than the Union?

8. What difference did class and education make in terms of support when Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In a well-developed essay, compare and contrast the Northern concept of liberty with that of the Southern version of liberty. In what two major ways do their interpretations differ? Be sure to include supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the reactions of soldiers who received encouraging letters from home with those who received complaining letters from home. What affect did each type of letter have on soldiers in the book? Include supporting information from the text.

Essay Topic 3

In a well-developed essay, analyze and discuss the effect being in the presence of slavery had on non-abolitionist Union soldiers. Include quotes and supporting information from the text.

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