Free The Civil War and Reconstruction Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the The Civil War and Reconstruction practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1In 1860, approximately what fraction of U.S. manufacturing output came from northern states?

   1. A.One-tenth
   2. B.One-quarter
   3. C.One-half
   4. D.Nine-tenthsCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: The National Park Service states, "By 1860, 90 percent of the nation's manufacturing output came from northern states." Ninety percent is nine-tenths.

   Reference: Industry and Economy during the Civil War — Industry and Economy during the Civil War, regional economies

2. 2What territorial proposal formed part of the unsuccessful Crittenden Compromise during the secession crisis?

   1. A.Restore the 36°30′ line dividing slave and free territories.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Reverse the line's free and slave sides in the territories.
   3. C.Repeal all geographic limits on slavery in the territories.
   4. D.Prohibit slavery in territories on both sides of the line.

   Explanation: The National Park Service says the proposal "called for the return of the Missouri Compromise 36°30′ parallel as the division for slave and free territories." It did not become law.

   Reference: Road to Secession, Part 2 — Secession Winter, December 1860–March 1861

3. 3How did Jefferson Davis initially organize the Confederate cordon defense?

   1. A.He posted small armies along threatened northern and western borders.Correct answer: A
   2. B.He concentrated the border forces in a single central reserve.
   3. C.He stationed the field armies exclusively along the Gulf coast.
   4. D.He retained the field armies exclusively around Richmond.

   Explanation: The National Park Service describes Davis's cordon as "posting small armies, of several thousand soldiers each, across northern and western Virginia and southern Kentucky." They were intended to support one another against Union advances.

   Reference: The Military Experience — Military strategy and the 1862 campaigns

4. 4Which combination consists entirely of camp conditions that contributed to sickness among Civil War soldiers?

   1. A.Crowding, poor sanitation, and inadequate dietCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Spacious camps, poor sanitation, and adequate diet
   3. C.Crowding, clean water, and adequate diet
   4. D.Spacious camps, clean water, and inadequate diet

   Explanation: The National Park Service states, "Crowded conditions in camp, improper diet, inadequate clothing, poor sanitation, and poor hygiene caused many of these men to get sick." These conditions promoted illness in the camps.

   Reference: Table 5: Civil War Medicine — Medical care during the Civil War

5. 5According to the National Park Service, which group did Republicans join with when adopting the National Union Party label in 1864?

   1. A.War DemocratsCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Peace Democrats
   3. C.Constitutional Unionists
   4. D.The Radical Democracy Party

   Explanation: The National Park Service says "the Republican Party chose to join with the War Democrats and called themselves the National Union Party." The alliance sought a wider constituency.

   Reference: Election of 1864 — The Candidates

6. 6From what city did Sherman's army begin its 1865 advance through the Carolinas?

   1. A.SavannahCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Atlanta
   3. C.Richmond
   4. D.Nashville

   Explanation: The National Park Service timeline records, "Sherman's Army leaves Savannah to march through the Carolinas." This was in February 1865.

   Reference: Civil War Timeline — February 1, 1865

7. 7Under Lincoln's Ten Percent Plan, what was the minimum percentage of a state's 1860 voters who had to take the required oath before forming a new government?

   1. A.Five percent
   2. B.Ten percentCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Fifty percent
   4. D.One hundred percent

   Explanation: The National Park Service states that "a tenth of the voters who had taken part in the 1860 election had agreed to the oath within a particular state" before that state could form a new government. A tenth is ten percent.

   Reference: The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson — Why Was Andrew Johnson Impeached? Lincoln's Reconstruction plan

8. 8Which regional pattern characterized European immigration to the United States in the mid-nineteenth century?

   1. A.Most immigrants settled in the slave states.
   2. B.Most immigrants settled in the free states.Correct answer: B
   3. C.Immigrants settled equally in free and slave states.
   4. D.Most immigrants settled in the western territories.

   Explanation: The National Park Service reports, "Fully seven-eighths of foreign immigrants settled in free states." The free states therefore received the large majority.

   Reference: Industry and Economy during the Civil War — Industry and Economy during the Civil War, regional economies

9. 9What was the purpose of the Corwin Amendment proposed during the secession crisis?

   1. A.To prevent federal interference with slavery within statesCorrect answer: A
   2. B.To abolish slavery immediately throughout the states
   3. C.To permit Congress to ban slavery within any state
   4. D.To compel states to adopt gradual emancipation plans

   Explanation: The National Park Service explains, "This amendment essentially prohibited Congress from interfering with slavery and gave the states the power to regulate slavery as they saw fit." The proposal sought to reassure slaveholding states.

   Reference: Road to Secession, Part 2 — Secession Winter, December 1860–March 1861

10. 10Which February 1862 Union captures were part of the victories that broke Davis's western defensive cordon?

    1. A.Forts Henry and DonelsonCorrect answer: A
    2. B.Shiloh and Perryville
    3. C.New Orleans and Memphis
    4. D.Pea Ridge and Wilson's Creek

    Explanation: The National Park Service says, "A string of Union victories quickly broke Davis's western defensive cordon" and identifies the February captures of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson among them.

    Reference: The Military Experience — Military strategy and the 1862 campaigns