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Causes and Events Leading to the Civil War Quiz

#1

Which was a major social factor contributing to the start of the Civil War?

The institution of slavery and its expansion
Explanation

Slavery's expansion ignited social tensions and conflict.

#2

Which political party was formed in the mid-1850s with the primary goal of opposing the expansion of slavery?

Republican Party
Explanation

Rise of the Republicans alarmed slave-state interests.

#3

Who was the president of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War?

Jefferson Davis
Explanation

Davis led the Confederate government through the war.

#4

Which event directly led to the secession of Southern states from the Union?

The election of Abraham Lincoln as President
Explanation

Lincoln's election threatened Southern interests, prompting secession.

#5

Which economic issue heightened tensions between Northern and Southern states prior to the Civil War?

The tariff policy
Explanation

Differences in tariff policies exacerbated economic tensions.

#6

Which event marked the beginning of armed conflict in the Civil War?

The First Battle of Bull Run
Explanation

First major battle that showcased the war's brutality.

#7

What was the primary cause of the Bleeding Kansas conflict?

Dispute over the legality of slavery in the Kansas Territory
Explanation

Violence erupted over whether Kansas would be slave or free.

#8

Which event immediately followed the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter?

Lincoln's call for troops to suppress the rebellion
Explanation

Fort Sumter's fall spurred Northern mobilization.

#9

Which state was the first to secede from the Union?

South Carolina
Explanation

South Carolina's secession sparked the crisis.

#10

What was the significance of the Missouri Compromise of 1820?

It prohibited slavery in territories above the 36°30' parallel
Explanation

Attempted to maintain a balance between free and slave states.

#11

Which document was issued by Abraham Lincoln and declared all slaves in Confederate-held territory to be free?

The Emancipation Proclamation
Explanation

Lincoln's order aimed to weaken the Confederacy and end slavery.

#12

What was the significance of the Dred Scott v. Sandford Supreme Court decision?

It declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional
Explanation

Undermined efforts to limit slavery's spread.

#13

What was the main issue of contention during the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858?

Expansion of slavery into new territories
Explanation

Debates highlighted deepening North-South divisions.

#14

Which battle is often considered the turning point of the Civil War?

Battle of Gettysburg
Explanation

Gettysburg halted Confederate momentum.

#15

What was the primary reason for the formation of the Confederate States of America?

To protect states' rights
Explanation

Southern states sought to preserve autonomy.

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