Secession and War 16-3

What was the main issue that split the Democratic Party in the 1860 election?

• Economic policies

• Popular sovereignty

• Foreign relations

• Taxation

Answer explanation

The main issue that split the Democratic Party in the 1860 election was popular sovereignty, which involved the debate over whether new states should decide for themselves whether to allow slavery, leading to significant divisions within the party.

Who was the Republican candidate in the 1860 presidential election?

• Stephen Douglas

• John C. Breckinridge

• John Bell

• Abraham Lincoln

Answer explanation

Abraham Lincoln was the Republican candidate in the 1860 presidential election, representing the party's anti-slavery platform, while Stephen Douglas, John C. Breckinridge, and John Bell were candidates from other parties.

What did the Southern states use to justify their secession from the Union?

• Economic independence

• States' rights

• Military strength

• Foreign alliances

Answer explanation

The Southern states justified their secession primarily through the concept of states' rights, arguing that individual states had the authority to govern themselves and make decisions independent of federal control.

Who was chosen as the president of the Confederate States of America?

• Abraham Lincoln

• Stephen Douglas

• Jefferson Davis

• John C. Breckinridge

Answer explanation

Jefferson Davis was elected as the president of the Confederate States of America in 1861, leading the Confederacy during the Civil War. The other options, including Abraham Lincoln, were not associated with the Confederacy.

What was the reaction of some Northerners to the Southern secession?

• They celebrated the secession.

• They believed the Union should be preserved.

• They supported the Confederacy.

• They remained neutral.

Answer explanation

Many Northerners opposed Southern secession, believing it threatened the Union. They felt strongly that the nation should remain united, leading to a commitment to preserve the Union against the Confederacy.

Why did Lincoln decide not to send armed troops to Fort Sumter?

• He wanted to avoid provoking the Confederates

• He had no available troops

• He was unaware of the situation

• He planned to surrender the fort

Answer explanation

Lincoln chose not to send armed troops to Fort Sumter to avoid provoking the Confederates, which could escalate tensions and lead to further conflict. This decision reflected his desire to maintain peace while addressing the crisis.

What did South Carolina do after Lincoln won the election of 1860?

• Seceded from the Union

• Joined the Union

• Declared neutrality

• Formed a new government

Answer explanation

After Lincoln won the election of 1860, South Carolina seceded from the Union, becoming the first state to do so. This act was a response to fears that Lincoln's presidency would threaten the institution of slavery.

What was the impact of the attack on Fort Sumter?

• It marked the start of the Civil War

• It ended the Civil War

• It led to a peace treaty

• It resulted in a trade embargo

Answer explanation

The attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861 was the first military engagement of the Civil War, signaling the start of the conflict between the North and South.

What was President Lincoln's priority when he took office in March 1861?

• Abolishing slavery immediately

• Preserving the Union

• Expanding the United States

• Reducing taxes

Answer explanation

When President Lincoln took office in March 1861, his primary focus was on preserving the Union amid the secession of Southern states, rather than immediately abolishing slavery or pursuing other policies.

How did the concept of states' rights influence the events leading up to the Civil War?

• It was a secondary issue

• It was a primary factor in causing the war

• It had no connection to the war

• It became significant only after the war

Answer explanation

The concept of states' rights was a primary factor in causing the Civil War, as it fueled tensions over issues like slavery and governance, leading to conflicts between state and federal authority.