Politics of the U. S. Civil War #1

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. In November, 1861, the Union Navy stopped a British vessel and arrested two Southern passengers bound for Britain. Although Jefferson Davis had designated the two men as "Confederate Commissioners to England," the US defended the act by maintaining the two were engaged in an illegal mission. What were the two commissioners' names? James Slidell and John Mason John Slidell and James Mason John Surratt and Lowell Mason John Sutter and Stephen Mason

2. The Trent Affair brought the US and Great Britain to the brink of war. Lincoln knew he could not fight both the South and the British so he agreed to back down and release the commissioners. Who was the British Minister to the US that helped resolve the crisis? Earl Russell Mathew Lyon Lord Lyons James Russell Lowell

3. In July 1861, the Crittenden resolution was passed in the House. This resolution asserted that the war was being fought to "defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution." What was the name of the similar resolution that passed in the Senate? Jackson Resolution Homestead Act July 4th Proclamation Johnson Resolution

4. What position in the Federal Government did John Usher hold? Postmaster General Secretary of the Interior Senator from Maine Quartermaster General

5. This Pennsylvania Congressman was a radical Republican member of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the war. He also played a decisive role in events after the war. As Chairman of the Ways and Means committee, he built a leadership that dominated the House. What was his name? Ben Wade Thaddeus Stevens Charles Sumner Simeon Cameron

6. Jefferson Davis faced some of the same pressures Lincoln felt. Indeed, in 1862 Davis used the same Executive power Lincoln had used the year before. In the North this action got Lincoln labeled a tyrant and brought him in conflict with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In the South this same action inflamed the already intense "states' rights" sentiment. What was this extra- constitutional action that both Lincoln and Davis took? Suspended the writ of habeas corpus Refused to nominate a candidate for a judicial vacancy Vetoed a military spending bill Called for the resignation of a cabinet official

7. In the election year of 1864, a circular appeared arguing that Lincoln could not win the election and the better candidate was Salmon Chase, Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury. A Senator who led a group of Chase's supporters had issued the letter as part of an orchestrated campaign to win the nomination. Rather than gain him support, this letter made Chase look disloyal and hurt his campaign. After which Senator was this circular named? S. C. Pomeroy Jay Cooke William Seward William Sprague

8. This 1861 Act called for the seizure of all property used in aiding the rebellion. Later it was also applied to slaves who were to be declared free forever if they came under control of the Union. Lincoln thought the Act harsh but reluctantly signed it. What was the name of this Act? Confiscation Act Conscription Act Force Act Homestead Act

9. Who became Speaker of the House in 1863? Ben Wade Schuyler Colfax Zack Chandler Owen Lovejoy

10. The night Booth shot Lincoln at Ford's Theatre, Lincoln had invited several people to join him and Mary Lincoln for the performance. Even though the Union victory had increased his popularity greatly, it was not until the last minute that Lincoln found someone to accept his invitation. Who of the following was NOT one of the people Lincoln invited? William Seward Ulysses S. Grant Robert Lincoln Edwin M. Stanton