Girding for War: The North and the South, 1861–1865

1. Chapter 20 Girding for War: The North and the South, 1861–1865

2. Question All of the following were true of Fort Sumter EXCEPT • this stronghold had provisions that would last only a few weeks—if no supplies came, its commander would have to surrender without firing a shot. • Lincoln, quite understandably, did not feel that such a weak-kneed course squared with his obligation to protect federal property. • if Lincoln sent reinforcements, South Carolinians would undoubtedly fight back; they could not tolerate a federal fort blocking the mouth of their most important Atlantic seaport. • Lincoln notified the South Carolinians that an expedition would be sent to provision the garrison, by which he really meant to reinforce it.

3. Answer All of the following were true of Fort Sumter EXCEPT • this stronghold had provisions that would last only a few weeks—if no supplies came, its commander would have to surrender without firing a shot. • Lincoln, quite understandably, did not feel that such a weak-kneed course squared with his obligation to protect federal property. • if Lincoln sent reinforcements, South Carolinians would undoubtedly fight back; they could not tolerate a federal fort blocking the mouth of their most important Atlantic seaport. • Lincoln notified the South Carolinians that an expedition would be sent to provision the garrison, by which he really meant to reinforce it. (correct) Hint: See page 463.

4. Question All of the following were true of the Border States EXCEPT • if the North fired the first shot, some or all of these doubtful states probably would have seceded, and the South might have succeeded. • the border group contained a black population more than half that of the entire Confederacy. • Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri would almost double the manufacturing capacity of the South. • Lincoln reportedly said he hoped to have God on his side, but he had to have Kentucky.

5. Answer All of the following were true of the Border States EXCEPT • if the North fired the first shot, some or all of these doubtful states probably would have seceded, and the South might have succeeded. • the border group contained a black population more than half that of the entire Confederacy. (correct) • Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri would almost double the manufacturing capacity of the South. • Lincoln reportedly said he hoped to have God on his side, but he had to have Kentucky. Hint: See page 464.

6. Question All of the following were true of the Trent affair EXCEPT • it was the first major crisis with Britain. • a Union warship stopped a British mail steamer, the Trent, and forcibly removed two Confederate diplomats bound for Europe. • war preparations buzzed, and Union troops embarked for Canada, with bands blaring “I Wish I Was in Dixie.” • the London Foreign Office prepared an ultimatum, demanding surrender of the prisoners and an apology.

7. Answer All of the following were true of the Trent affair EXCEPT • it was the first major crisis with Britain. • a Union warship stopped a British mail steamer, the Trent, and forcibly removed two Confederate diplomats bound for Europe. • war preparations buzzed, and Union troops embarked for Canada, with bands blaring “I Wish I Was in Dixie.” (correct) • the London Foreign Office prepared an ultimatum, demanding surrender of the prisoners and an apology. Hint: See page 472.

8. Question Lincoln violated the Constitution in all of the following ways EXCEPT he • suspended the precious privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, so that anti-Unionists might be summarily arrested. • directed the secretary of the Treasury to advance $2 million without appropriation or security to three private citizens for military purposes. • arbitrarily increased the size of the Federal army—something that only Congress can do. • vetoed the Ordinances of secession in eleven Southern states.

9. Answer Lincoln violated the Constitution in all of the following ways EXCEPT he • suspended the precious privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, so that anti-Unionists might be summarily arrested. • directed the secretary of the Treasury to advance $2 million without appropriation or security to three private citizens for military purposes. • arbitrarily increased the size of the Federal army—something that only Congress can do. • vetoed the Ordinances of secession in eleven Southern states. (correct) Hint: See page 475.

10. Question The New York City draft riots occurred because • wealthy northern elites took advantage of the $300 draft exemption. • nativists resented the onslaught of Irish immigrants in the army. • underprivileged and antiblack Irish Americans resented the war. • free blacks resented their exclusion from fighting battalions.

11. Answer The New York City draft riots occurred because • wealthy northern elites took advantage of the $300 draft exemption. • nativists resented the onslaught of Irish immigrants in the army. • underprivileged and antiblack Irish Americans resented the war. (correct) • free blacks resented their exclusion from fighting battalions. Hint: See page 475.

12. Question All of the following were true of Greenbacks EXCEPT • the Treasury issued greenbacked paper money, totaling nearly $450 million, at face value. • this printing-press currency was inadequately supported by gold, and hence its value was determined by the nation’s credit. • Greenbacks fluctuated with the fortunes of Confederate arms and, at one low point, were worth only 39 cents on the Confederate dollar. • the holders of the notes, victims of creeping inflation, were indirectly taxed as the value of the currency slowly withered in their hands.

13. Answer All of the following were true of Greenbacks EXCEPT • the Treasury issued greenbacked paper money, totaling nearly $450 million, at face value. • this printing-press currency was inadequately supported by gold, and hence its value was determined by the nation’s credit. • Greenbacks fluctuated with the fortunes of Confederate arms and, at one low point, were worth only 39 cents on the Confederate dollar. (correct) • the holders of the notes, victims of creeping inflation, were indirectly taxed as the value of the currency slowly withered in their hands. Hint: See page 477.

14. Question All of the following were true of the National Banking System EXCEPT • it was launched partly to diminish the number of government bonds in circulation. • it was designed to establish a standard bank-note currency. • the country was then flooded with depreciated “rag money” issued by unreliable bankers. • banks that joined the National Banking System could buy government bonds and issue sound paper money backed by them.

15. Answer All of the following were true of the National Banking System EXCEPT • it was launched partly to diminish the number of government bonds in circulation. (correct) • it was designed to establish a standard bank-note currency. • the country was then flooded with depreciated “rag money” issued by unreliable bankers. • banks that joined the National Banking System could buy government bonds and issue sound paper money backed by them. Hint: See page 477.

16. Question The Homestead Act of 1862 provided federally sponsored • free silver. • free land. • freed slaves. • free oil.

17. Answer The Homestead Act of 1862 provided federally sponsored • free silver. • free land. (correct) • freed slaves. • free oil. Hint: See page 479.

18. Question The U.S. Sanitary Commission did all of the following EXCEPT • trained nurses. • improved sewer conditions. • collected medical supplies. • equipped hospitals.

19. Answer The U.S. Sanitary Commission did all of the following EXCEPT • trained nurses. • improved sewer conditions. (correct) • collected medical supplies. • equipped hospitals. Hint: See page 479.

20. Question The Morrill Tariff Act did all of the following EXCEPT it • superseded the low Tariff of 1857. • increased the existing duties some 5 to 10 percent. • boosted duties to about the moderate level of the Walker Tariff of 1846. • was designed solely to provide more protection for prosperous manufacturers who were being plucked by the new internal taxes.

21. Answer The Morrill Tariff Act did all of the following EXCEPT it • superseded the low Tariff of 1857. • increased the existing duties some 5 to 10 percent. • boosted duties to about the moderate level of the Walker Tariff of 1846. • was designed solely to provide more protection for prosperous manufacturers who were being plucked by the new internal taxes. (correct) Hint: See pages 476–477.