American Civil War Quiz

When did the American Civil War start?

• 1861

• 1862

• 1864

• 1865

Answer explanation

The American Civil War started in 1861, marked by the attack on Fort Sumter in April. This date is significant as it represents the beginning of the conflict between the Northern states and the Southern states.

Which of the following descriptions of the southern and northern states before the American Civil War are correct? (i) The North believed that federal laws should be adopted for the nation. (ii) The South argued that the states had the right to withdraw from the federation. (iii) The South believed that the federal government and state governments had equal powers. (iv) The South and North reached a consensus about Constitution of the United States.

• i and ii

• i and iv

• ii and iii

• iii and iv

Answer explanation

The North supported federal laws for the nation (i), while the South claimed states' rights to secede (ii). The South did not believe in equal powers (iii) and there was no consensus on the Constitution (iv). Thus, i and ii are correct.

Which of the following descriptions of the economic development in the South and North before the American Civil War is INCORRECT?

• The North supported protective tariffs to protect domestic industries.

• Industry and commerce in the North developed rapidly.

• The Southern economy highly depended on agriculture.

• The South supported free trade in order to import expensive industrial goods from abroad.

Answer explanation

The statement about the South supporting free trade is incorrect. The South favored free trade to export its agricultural products, but it did not primarily import expensive industrial goods, which were largely produced in the North.

Which of the following descriptions of the social structure in South and North before the American Civil War is INCORRECT?

• The society of the North was mainly composed of capitalist class, middle class and working class.

• Blacks and whites had equal status in the North.

• Black slaves were at the bottom of society in the South.

• The South was an agricultural society.

Answer explanation

In the North, blacks did not have equal status with whites; they faced discrimination and limited rights, making the statement incorrect. The other descriptions accurately reflect the social structures of the North and South.

Which of the following descriptions of the protective tariffs introduced by the United States between 1828 and 1832 is INCORRECT?

• Tariffs on imported industrial goods increased.

• The Southern states feared that foreign countries would introduce revenge tariffs on their agricultural exports.

• The Southern states finally accepted the original acts.

• Certain Southern states nullified the acts.

Answer explanation

The statement that the Southern states finally accepted the original acts is incorrect. In fact, they opposed the tariffs and some even attempted to nullify them, fearing economic repercussions.

Which of the following states nullified protective tariffs between 1828 and 1832?

• Kansas

• South Carolina

• Texas

• Oregon

Answer explanation

South Carolina nullified protective tariffs between 1828 and 1832 through the Nullification Crisis, opposing federal tariff laws that they deemed harmful to their economy.

Which of the following descriptions of the United States before the American Civil War is INCORRECT?

• Slaves acted as a major labour force in the Southern economy.

• 'Free states' and 'slave states' co-existed in the United States.

• The federal government had the power to abolish slavery.

• The Northern and Southern states had disputes over slavery.

Answer explanation

The statement 'The federal government had the power to abolish slavery' is incorrect because prior to the Civil War, the federal government did not have the authority to abolish slavery; it was a contentious issue left to the states.

Which of the following w is NOT regarded as a result of the American Civil War?

• The United States was reunified.

• Slavery was abolished.

• The South was placed under military rule.

• National reconstruction started.

Answer explanation

National reconstruction refers to the process of rebuilding the South after the war, which began after the Civil War. The other options are direct outcomes of the war itself, making this choice not a result of the Civil War.

Which of the following is NOT regarded as an impact of the American Civil War on the United States?

• National banking and currency systems were unified.

• The states became independent.

• The western territories further developed.

• Black people got citizenship.

Answer explanation

The statement 'The states became independent' is incorrect. The Civil War preserved the Union, ensuring states remained part of the United States, rather than becoming independent entities.

Which of the following economic policies were NOT introduced by the North during the American Civil War?

• Introduced the Homestead Act

• Increased protective tariffs

• Reduced the export of industrial products

• Subsidized private companies to build railways to connect to the western territories

Answer explanation

The North did not reduce the export of industrial products during the Civil War; instead, they focused on increasing production and exports. The other policies were indeed introduced to support economic growth.