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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. Who was the initial favorite for the nomination for President in the 1860 race?
(a) Hamlin.
(b) Seward.
(c) Lincoln.
(d) Fillmore.

2. What image did Lincoln's advisers associate him with in his 1860 campaign?
(a) A stone wall.
(b) A cherry tree.
(c) A fence rail.
(d) An old warhorse.

3. Describe Lincoln's activities during his 'retirement' from politics.
(a) He focused solely on building his law firm.
(b) He advocated for Whig candidates.
(c) He was absent from politics entirely.
(d) He ran for local office but never won.

4. What industry did Lincoln begin to represent in court after he returned to Illinois?
(a) Cattlemen.
(b) Farmers.
(c) Railroad.
(d) Exporters.

5. Why did Lincoln have to hand over his earnings to his father?
(a) He was under 21.
(b) He was still living at home.
(c) He was not married yet.
(d) In order to help with the family finances.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Lincoln do in order to escape the hard work his father had done?

2. How were U.S. Senators elected in the 1850s?

3. When did Lincoln's family move to Illinois?

4. What did Lincoln believe he inherited from his grandmother?

5. Why was Lincoln called the 'Lone Star'?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Abraham Lincoln's period of aimlessness in Illinois.

2. Describe the Lincolns' moves.

3. What positions did Lincoln take in his career as a Whig legislator?

4. How did Lincoln finally get married?

5. How did Lincoln leave his affairs in Illinois when he went to Washington, DC to start his term in Congress?

6. How did Lincoln end up back in Springfield?

7. What was the outcome of the Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858?

8. Compare and contrast Lincoln's relationship with his wife and his relationship with his partner, William Herndon.

9. When did Lincoln start his family?

10. Describe Lincoln's temperament as a politician.

(see the answer keys)

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