Tensions leading to the Civil War and the War Quiz

Answer: South Carolina

South Carolina argued that each state had joined the Union of its own free will and could nullify laws that it deemed unfair, as well as leave the Union freely, just as they had entered it freely. President Jackson threatened to sent federal troops to collect the tariff revenues from South Carolina, causing them to back down.

Answer: Bleeding Kansas

"Bleeding Kansas" was used to signify the bloody battles between slavery forces. "The Sunflower State" is the official nickname of Kansas, partially due to the fact that its state flower is the sunflower. "The Garden of the West" was used to describe the fertile land in the state. "The Squatter State", while in the same time frame as "Bleeding Kansas", refers to the rush of people to inhabit Kansas in hopes of it becoming a free or slave state.

Answer: John Brown

Brown, although famous for his raid on Harper's Ferry, Virgina, at which he was caught and, later, killed, was also the first man to build up a small force and attack pro-slavery communities throughout Kansas. His attacks, and the counter-attacks in retaliation, are a main reason that Kansas earned the nickname of "Bleeding Kansas".

Answer: As a buffer between Mexican communities and the Comanche Indians.

When they invited the American families to settle in present-day Texas they laid down four provisions for the settlers. They had to become Mexican citizens, learn Spanish and convert to Roman Catholicism; and they were not allowed to own slaves. The Americans quickly outnumbered the Mexican citizens living in the area (Tejanos) but the Americans, Tejanos and Comanches co-existed in relative peace for nearly ten years.

Answer: Rio Grande

Even though the Mexican President had signed the treaty giving all lands up to the Rio Grande River to Texas the Mexican government rejected the treaty. The Texans then formed the Republic of Texas and elected Sam Houston as their first president. Texas continued to face problems, the Mexican government didn't recognize the borders outlined in the treaty and claimed that they owned up to the Nueces River, disputing large areas of land.

Initial demands to become a state were rejectd because it would have undone the free/slave state balance in Congress.

Then, shortly before James Tyler left office he pushed the annexation of Texas through Congress. In December 1845 Texas entered the United States as a slave state.

Answer: James K. Polk

Polk sent General Winfield Scott to the Nueces River border. He then sent instructions to the United States Pacific fleet to seize the Californian ports if war broke out. In June 1846 "The Bear Flag Revolt" (California revolt) took place with the help of General John C. Fremont.

Answer: All of these answers are correct.

The Whigs questioned the truth of Polk's claims about the border incident and asked if he had misled Congress. The war, called "Mr. Polk's War" by the Whigs, cost approximately 13,000 lives and 97 million dollars.

Answer: Winfield Scott

The "Anaconda Plan", proposed by Winfield Scott was one of the main strategies of the North. The plan was to blockade ports so it would cut off supplies being exported and imported. Then, they hoped to gain control of the Mississippi River to split the South into two parts. Then they planned to capture the capitol and strangle the Confederate leadership.

Answer: Robert E. Lee

General Robert E. Lee wanted to show foreign countries that the South could win the war in the North. He was defeated and the Union claimed their first major victory on the eastern front. His actions went against the Southern strategy of fighting a defensive war and outlasting the Northern troops.

Answer: Appomattox Court House

Grant forced Lee to surrender after Grant cut off all of Lee's Army's escape routes. The signing of the treaty at the Mclean House signified the end of the war.