Politics of the U.S. Civil War #2 Trivia Game | History

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What was the name of the governor of Missouri who, in 1861, defied Lincoln's order to muster troops for Federal Service, and also organized the secessionist State Guard in an attempt to move the state toward secession?

Answer: Claiborne Fox Jackson

Jackson's plans were foiled when Brigadier-General Nathaniel Lyon captured the State Guard's camp. Jackson would later lead a session of the Missouri General Assembly that passed an ordinance of secession. The session, and therefore the vote, was not legal, as it did not have a majority of members present.

The results of the vote were accepted by the Confederate Government, however, and Jackson would claim to be the governor of Missouri in exile until his death.

2. What was the name of the series of meetings that culminated with the June 19, 1861 vote which repealed the Ordinance of Secession of Virginia, thus resulting in the formation of the NEW State of West Virginia?

Answer: Wheeling Convention

The Second Wheeling Convention established the western counties of Virginia as Pro-Union, and the Constitutional Convention allowed them to ask Congress for admission as a separate state.

3. On March 3, 1865, Congress authorized the formation of what agency?

Answer: Freedmen's Bureau

The Freedmen's Bureau was designed to assist the newly free slaves. The Bureau assisted African American's with education and other resources they were previously denied. The Bureau came under criticism, however, as in many areas the Bureau functioned as a tool for Republican political corruption, offering assistance to freed slaves in return for their promise to vote Republican.

4. In 1864, a newspaper published a fake Proclamation from Lincoln calling for 400,000 more troops. The public assumed that the war was going badly for the North. This led, among other things, to a rise in the price of gold. What were the names of the two journalists responsible for the 1864 "Gold Hoax?"

Answer: Francis Mallison and Joseph Howard

Mallison and Howard both worked for the "Boston Eagle", and Howard later admitted that he concocted the forgery to increase the value of his recent gold purchase. His plan almost worked as the price of gold rose sharply following the story and Howard profited greatly. Lincoln was furious, however, and ordered tha the paper be shut down and Howard imprisoned.

5. Many young men on the Union side reaped the benefits of victory after the war. Some went on to hold prominent governmental positions. Even Lincoln's private secretary John Hay held a high post. What position did Hay go on to hold?

Answer: Secretary of State

After writing a successful biography of Lincoln, Hay served in the McKinley administration and is remembered most for his "Open Door" policy toward China.

6. When George McClellan ran for President in 1864, who was his running mate?

Answer: George H Pendleton

Pendleton was Representative form Ohio most notable for his role as one of the managers appointed by the House of Representatives in 1862 to conduct the impeachment proceedings against United States judge West H. Humphreys. Dickinson and Butler were both Democrats that Republicans considered for their ticket.

The Republican's strategy involved adding a Democrat to the ticket in the hope that it would yield widespread support. In the end they settled on the Southern Democrat, Andrew Johnson.

7. On what date was the National Currency Act signed into law?

Answer: February 26, 1863

This law provided for the Office of Comptroller of the Currency and set the stage for the standardized paper currency we know today.

8. In July of 1864, Lincoln pocket-vetoed a reconstruction bill. What were the names of the bill's sponsors?

Answer: Ben Wade and Henry Davis

Lincoln opposed the bill as it proposed a harsher reconstruction than he had proposed. Lincoln called for, among other things, the readmission of states once 10 percent of the population had pledged allegiance to the Union. The Wade-Davis bill called for a majority to take the oath. Since this was an election year, Republicans decided not to challenge the leader of their party, yet this disagreement over how to treat the defeated South became the basis for the "Radical Reconstruction" Republicans imposed on the South after Lincoln's death.

9. Who replaced Salmon Chase as Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury?

Answer: William Fessenden

Fessenden, from Maine, was appointed in 1864. William Dennison replaced Montgomery Blair as Postmaster General. David Davis was an old friend of Lincoln and one of his appointees to the Supreme Court; Samuel Miller was another.

10. On the day Lincoln died, he met with not only the cabinet but also several other people. One of the individuals with which Lincoln met was the newly appointed Minister to Spain. What was the name of this individual?

Answer: John P. Hale

Lincoln met with all four that day, however Hale, a Senator from New Hampshire was about to leave for Spain as the new ambassador. Hale's appointment came under question when later it came out that his daughter had a romantic relationship with non-other than - John Wilkes Booth! Dana was the Assistant Secretary of War. Rollins was a Congressman who presented a petition to Lincoln. Ashmun was a former Congressman with a claim against the Federal government. Lincoln was unable to conclude his business with Ashmun by 8:00, however, and wrote out a note giving Ashmun an appointment for the following day. Lincoln's signature on the note is believed to be his last autograph.

Source: Author bigbaddoc

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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Politics of the U.S. Civil War #2 Quiz

Here's another of my attempts to test your knowledge of the political battles of the war. I tried to make this one a little harder, but I would appreciate any feedback. Have fun!

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