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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 4.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What view did Webster take that made him unpopular with abolitionists?
(a) He would not address the subject of slavery because he though it would just go away.
(b) He did not feel that being a part of a Union that allowed slavery in some territories a viable alternative.
(c) He refused to argue against salvery when he went to the Southern states.
(d) He was a strong supporter of the Union and believed compromise on slavery was more important than breaking up the nation.

2. What does Kennedy see as Webster's moral flaw?
(a) Webster was a compulsive gambler.
(b) Webster was an alcoholic and often lost track of time.
(c) Webster had no compunction against taking money for political favors.
(d) Webster had many affairs his wife did not know about.

3. What does Kennedy suggest prevents a lot of people from acting courageously?
(a) Fear of the unknown.
(b) Social and public pressures.
(c) Averice and greed.
(d) Not enough education about courage.

4. How does Kennedy characterize the difficult position of the elected official?
(a) Walking on the moon.
(b) Walking in the difficult landscape of being elected by constituents.
(c) Not being able to care about doing a good job.
(d) Being alone in the desert.

5. John Quincey Adams' mother was fond of saying John had been groomed to do what?
(a) Write great books.
(b) Become a Puritan minister.
(c) Uphold the American legal system.
(d) Become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Short Answer Questions

1. What effect did Webster's three-hour-long speech in the Senate have in 1850?

2. What does Kennedy identify as the second pressure that prevents courageous deeds by elected officials.

3. What Senator pulled a gun on Benton once?

4. How did Webster view the Compromise of 1850 in terms of his anti-slavery convictions?

5. How did Benton's reputation for being crazy become problematic to his opponents?

(see the answer key)

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