View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What temporarily neutralized the issue of slavery and undercut the Free Soil Party's no-compromise position?

2. Slavery had been prohibited in Indiana and Illinois since what year?

3. The focus in the 1840s was not the abolition of slavery, but was what?

4. Illinois had prohibited slavery in its constitution in what year when it was admitted as a state?

5. What was a minor political party in the United States in the 1840s which was an early advocate of the abolitionist cause?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did President Buchanan declare in the wake of the Dred Scott Decision?

2. Who was John C. Fremont? What relationship did Fremont have with Lincoln?

3. When did Abraham Lincoln first become involved in the abolitionist movement, as discussed in Chapter 1?

4. Where was Lincoln's income mostly derived in the 1840s? What does the author write about Lincoln's profession in Chapter 2?

5. What contact with slavery did Lincoln have in his youth, as discussed in Chapter 1?

6. What issues within the abolitionist movement led to new debates at the end of Chapter 4?

7. How did the abolitionist movement evolve during Taylor's presidency, as discussed in Chapter 2?

8. What was significant about the 1856 presidential election for Lincoln's career?

9. What factions of the Republican Party did Lincoln clash with regarding the slavery issues in Chapter 3?

10. What was the focus of Lincoln's speech in October, 1854, as described in Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the different abolitionist movements of the early 1800s. How did these movements differ in their philosophies of dealing with the emancipated slaves?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss Lincoln's tenure with the Illinois legislature. When and why did Lincoln enter politics?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the First and Second Confiscation Acts. How did each of these acts further the Union's cause?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 877 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample