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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. While talking about the Emancipation Proclamation's effect on Union morale, McPherson says that, in comparison to enlisted men, what percentage of officers supported emancipation?

2. Which individual won the nomination for governor of Ohio on an antiwar platform in June 1863?

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?

4. As "Chapter 10: We Know That We are Supported at Home" opens, which of the following is NOT one of the main sources of combat motivation?

5. The November 8, 1865, diary entry of a sergeant in the 8th Ohio cavalry noted that how many members of his regiment had voted for Lincoln, as opposed to sixteen votes for McClellan?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

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

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

5. What challenges did soldiers face in the last year of the Civil War that exacerbated their combat exhaustion?

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

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

8. At the close of "Chapter 12: The Same Holy Cause," what final lessons does McPherson hope readers take from the book?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Compare and contrast the effect of the French concept of "rage militaire" during the Civil War with once instance of the same phenomenon in more modern times. In what ways has the effect of this phenomenon on society changed over time? In what ways is the effect the same? Include supporting quotes and information from the text 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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