The Civil War in the Making Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1808

Although President Jefferson signed it in 1807, the Slave Trade Compromise took effect in 1808. Slavery was far from over, however.

Answer: Northwest Territory

Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota (part) were all created out of this region. The Northwest Ordinance was enacted in 1787.

Answer: 36' 30

The 36' 30 line caused a lot of controversy. All new states above the line would be free, and all new states below the line would vote on it. The problems started to arise when states began to vote for freedom, disrupting the very delicate balance. The Missouri Compromise also admitted Maine as a free state.

Answer: The Fugitive Slave Laws were repealed

The Compromise of 1850 was a step in the direction of unity, but it was too late. California was admitted as the 31st state in September 1850 and in Washington D. C. it was now illegal to purchase slaves.

Answer: Bleeding Kansas

When it came time for Kansas to vote on whether it would be free or slave, the whole state exploded. Slavery supporters wrote a state constitution designating the city of LeCompton as its capital, and allowing slavery. Anti-slavery supporters also wrote a constitution designating the city of Topeka as its capital and banning slavery.

The vote itself became fraudulent - slavery supporters from the neighboring state of Missouri crossed the border and voted illegally. Because of this, Topeka people were outraged, and inside the new state of Kansas shots were fired and people were killed over the issue.

This became known as "Bleeding Kansas."

Answer: "The Liberator"

"I am aware that many object to the severity of my language; but is there not cause for severity? I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or speak, or write with moderation. No! No! Tell a man whose house is on fire, to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hands of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen; - but urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present. I am in earnest - I will not equivocate - I will not excuse - I will not retreat a single inch - AND I WILL BE HEARD." William Lloyd Garrison, "The Liberator", 1831

Answer: John Brown

John Brown was hanged for treason in the state of Virginia, and soon became a martyr for the abolitionist cause.
"He is not Old Brown any longer; he is an angel of the light. I see now that it was necessary that the bravest and humanest man in all the country should be hung. Perhaps he saw it himself. I almost fear that I may yet hear of his deliverance, doubting if a prolonged life, if any life, can do as much good as his death."
Henry David Thoreau, 1859

Answer: Roger B. Taney

The Dred Scott Decision made it law that slaves were property. Therefore, they did not have the right to file suit.

Answer: Senator

Lincoln lost the debates, and the Senate seat. He would have the last laugh, however, when he beat Stephen Douglas in another campaign, this time for President of the United States, in 1860.

Answer: John Breckinridge

The Know-Nothings did not have much of a following. The Democrats had split themselves into North and South, which split their vote. Other parties such as the Constitutional Union and the Free Soil parties took votes as well. All of these factors came together to clench the victory for Abraham Lincoln, the first President elected from the Republican Party.