AP US History Practice Test: Period 5 (1844

Our APUSH unit 5 practice test features 26 multiple choice questions covering the years 1844–1877. This period is dominated by the nation’s most profound internal conflict: the Civil War. The war’s transformative effects on the nation, from the abolition of slavery to the redefinition of federal and state powers, are emphasized.

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Question 1

Questions 1–2 refer to following excerpt:

“We must onward to the fulfilment of our mission — to the entire development of the principle of our organization — freedom of conscience, freedom of person, freedom of trade and business pursuits, universality of freedom and equality. This is our high destiny, and in nature's eternal, inevitable decree of cause and effect we must accomplish it. All this will be our future history, to establish on earth the moral dignity and salvation of man — the immutable truth and beneficence of God. …Who, then, can doubt that our country is destined to be the great nation of futurity?”

—John L. O’Sullivan, Manifest Destiny, 1839

What consequences did Manifest Destiny have in the mid-19th century?

A	It brought democracy to the entire world.
B	It led to the passage of the Bill of Rights.
C	It led to conflict with Mexico.
D	It led to religious conflict between Protestants and Catholics.

Question 1 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). Manifest Destiny held that it was America’s responsibility to control all of North America and civilize it. As O’Sullivan reveals, many Americans thought the country was uniquely virtuous. This led to the Mexican-American War between 1846–1848.

Question 2

What impact did Manifest Destiny have on the debate about slavery?

A	None — Manifest Destiny did not address the rights of slaves.
B	Manifest Destiny urged slave owners to liberate their slaves and convert them to Christianity.
C	Manifest Destiny urged slaves to return to Africa because they were not citizens.
D	Manifest Destiny reignited concern about the status of slavery in western territories.

Question 2 Explanation:

The correct answer is (D). Manifest Destiny resulted in the acquisition of large amounts of territory form Mexico in the war of 1846–1848. A fierce political debate erupted over whether slavery should be banned or permitted in the new territory. This ultimately ruined the fragile Missouri Compromise of 1820.

Question 3

Questions 3–4 refer to the following excerpt:

“I suppose you have herd of it there was not one steme of potatoes in my house this three months it is very seldome that there does one come to market at all and what comes in not worth buying they cant be eat they, sell at 8 or 9 shillings per hundred Everything else is very dear also and bad Everyday went for the poor and bad wages the people are starving in the west of Ireland and turning out for something to eat we think that there will be a rebellion if there is not something done your sister Hannah has wrote to me prety regular wince all her friends left her she did not know what it is to be alone and til now she lets me know Everything she hears from you I believe they are prety well of she says.”

—A letter from 1846 written by Irishman William Dunne to his cousin John Curtis who immigrated to America.

What consequences did Irish immigration have in America during the mid-19th century?

A	The influx of Irish immigrants caused a nativist backlash.
B	Irish immigrants forced the US government to adopt Catholicism as the nation’s official religion.
C	Irish immigrants used their political clout to enforce temperance laws.
D	Irish immigrants had no impact because they were few in number.

Question 3 Explanation:

The correct answer is (A). A spike in Irish immigration during the 1840s and 1850s caused tension with “nativists” — Americans who resented immigrants. They clashed over cultural differences, such as the Irish preference for Catholicism, and economic competition.

Question 4

Which of the following factors influenced German immigration in American during the mid-19th century?

A	An act by Congress excluding German immigrants reduced immigration to America.
B	A political revolution in Germany in 1848 increased immigration to the US.
C	The German government banned all emigration out of the country which reduced the influx of German settlers to the US.
D	The German government exiled all Jews to American which increased immigration.

Question 4 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). A wave of revolutions swept across Europe in 1848 but most, including the German uprising, failed. As a result, many political dissidents fled to the United States which also contributed to the nativist tension in the mid-19th century.

Question 5

Questions 5–7 refer to the following excerpt from a campaign song of the Free Soil Party in the mid-19th century:

“Let fame to the world sound freedom’s loud voice,
No lures from its hold can ‘free soilers’ sever;
With VAN BUREN and ADAMS, her laws are their choice,
And shall flourish till Liberty slumbers forever.
Then unite hear and hand
With the ‘free soilers’ band,
And Swear by the God of the ‘free labored’ land,
That ne’er shall the sons born to freedom be slaves,
While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.”

How did the Free Soil party reflect the growing sectional differences of the North and South?

A	Northern supporters of the Free Soil party wanted southern slaveholders to liberate their slaves and give them free land.
B	The Free Soil party membership was largely southern and demanded that the North accept all recently freed slaves and gave them land.
C	The Free Soil party highlighted the growing religious differences in the North and South resulting from Catholic missionaries.
D	The Free Soil party highlighted the growing economic differences in the North and South resulting from unequal industrialization.

Question 5 Explanation:

The correct answer is (D). As the North industrialized, it began to rely increasingly on the free labor market, while the South continued to rely on slavery. The Free Soil party found most of its support in the North and declared that excluding slavery from western states would protect the free labor market from competition by Southern slaves.

Question 6

Which of the following statements best summarizes John Brown’s attitude towards efforts to abolish slavery through moral suasion?

A	He agreed with these efforts as the best and most efficient method.
B	He agreed with these efforts because he abhorred violence.
C	He disagreed with these efforts because he wanted faster action.
D	He disagreed with these efforts because he was an atheist.

Question 6 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). John Brown led the attack on Harper’s Ferry in 1859 because he wanted to see slavery come to an immediate end. He thought moral suasion was too ineffective and slow.

Question 7

What attitude did the contemporary Republican Party have towards the outbreak of the Civil War?

A	Republicans supported the war because the wanted to avenge Lincoln’s assassination.
B	Republicans supported the war because they thought the Union could not be dissolved.
C	Republicans opposed the war because they thought slavery was permissible.
D	Republicans opposed the war because they favored state’s rights.

Question 7 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). The Republicans found most of their support in the North and held that the South could not secede. Republicans generally opposed slavery, although it was not the stated cause of the war.

Question 8

Questions 8–10 refer to the following excerpt:

“And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons. And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend to them that, in all cases when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages.”

—Abraham Lincoln, The Emancipation Proclamation, 1863

In what way, if any, was the Emancipation Proclamation so significant?

A	It authorized racially integrated military units and gave black soldiers equal pay and promotions.
B	It banned slavery throughout the nation.
C	It added the abolition of slavery to Northern war goals during the Civil War.
D	It simply reaffirmed the abolition of slavery which was promulgated by the Dredd Scott decision.

Question 8 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). Originally, the Civil War was only about restoring the Union but the Emancipation Proclamation made it a crusade against slavery. However, it only banned slavery in the South and did not integrate the armed forces.

Question 9

What impact, if any, did the Emancipation Proclamation have on the outcome of the Civil War?

A	It isolated the South and gave the North the moral high ground.
B	It immediately forced the South to surrender in order to preserve slavery.
C	It was so unpopular it forced Lincoln to negotiate a truce with the South.
D	It caused General Sherman to defect to the Confederacy.

Question 9 Explanation:

The correct answer is (A). By turning the war into a battle over slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation isolated the Confederacy. European nations had banned slavery and were unwilling to intervene on behalf of the Confederacy which was fighting to protect slavery.

Question 10

Which of the following factors did NOT contribute to the Northern victory in the Civil War?

A	Superior industrial capacity.
B	A much larger population.
C	Superior professional soldiers.
D	Advanced economic institutions.

Question 10 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). At the outset of the Civil War, the professional military was very small. The corps of officers, many West Point educated, were from both the North and South. Neither side really enjoyed an advantage in the category of professional, well-trained soldiers, and quality officers could be found in abundance in both armies.

Question 11

Questions 11–14 refer to the following excerpt:

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

—14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

What was the primary objective of the 14th Amendment?

A	To grant voting rights to all citizens regardless of race.
B	To abolish slavery throughout the United States.
C	To define U.S. citizenship and guarantee equal protection under the law.
D	To prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol.

Question 11 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). The 14th Amendment's primary objective was to define U.S. citizenship, especially in the context of granting citizenship to former slaves, and to ensure that all citizens were granted equal protection under the law.

Question 12

The 14th Amendment was particularly significant for which of the following groups?

A	Women seeking suffrage rights.
B	Former slaves and their descendants.
C	Immigrants from European countries.
D	Industrial workers in the North.

Question 12 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). The 14th Amendment was particularly significant for former slaves and their descendants as it granted them citizenship and ensured that they were granted equal protection under the law.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the Southern states' initial reaction to the 14th Amendment?

A	They immediately ratified the amendment.
B	They resisted and initially refused to ratify the amendment.
C	They remained neutral and did not take a stance.
D	They proposed an alternative amendment with similar provisions.

Question 13 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). Many Southern states initially resisted the 14th Amendment and refused to ratify it. Their resistance was rooted in opposition to granting rights to former slaves.

Question 14

The 14th Amendment can be seen as a response to which of the following?

A	The Emancipation Proclamation.
B	The Dred Scott v. Sandford decision.
C	The Black Codes enacted in Southern states.
D	The establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau.

Question 14 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). The 14th Amendment can be seen as a direct response to the Black Codes, which were laws enacted in Southern states to restrict the rights and freedoms of African Americans. The amendment sought to counteract these discriminatory laws by guaranteeing equal protection under the law.

Question 15

Questions 15–17 refer to the following excerpt:

"Little Eva's golden hair was all wet with tears, and she was sobbing with excitement. 'O, Uncle Tom! why can't these people get along with us, and let us be good and happy together?' Uncle Tom just hugged the little girl close to his chest, thinking of his own children sold away from him."

—Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin, 1852.

What was the primary objective of "Uncle Tom's Cabin"?

A	To provide an accurate historical account of the Civil War.
B	To depict the harsh realities of slavery and evoke sympathy for enslaved individuals.
C	To promote the economic benefits of the plantation system.
D	To argue for the colonization of freed slaves in Africa.

Question 15 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). "Uncle Tom's Cabin" aimed to depict the harsh realities of slavery and evoke sympathy and moral outrage among its readers, particularly those in the North. The novel played a significant role in shaping public opinion against the institution of slavery.

Question 16

How did "Uncle Tom's Cabin" impact the national debate on slavery?

A	It reinforced the idea that slavery was a benign institution.
B	It argued for a gradual emancipation process.
C	It intensified anti-slavery sentiments, especially in the North.
D	It promoted the idea of popular sovereignty in new territories.

Question 16 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). "Uncle Tom's Cabin" intensified anti-slavery sentiments, especially in the North, by vividly illustrating the cruelties and moral injustices of slavery. The novel became a bestseller and had a profound impact on the national debate over slavery.

Question 17

Which of the following groups would most likely oppose the messages conveyed in "Uncle Tom's Cabin"?

A	Northern abolitionists.
B	Southern slaveholders and proponents of slavery.
C	European immigrants in the North.
D	Free African Americans in the North.

Question 17 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). Southern slaveholders and proponents of slavery would most likely oppose the messages in "Uncle Tom's Cabin" as the novel painted a negative picture of the institution of slavery and challenged its moral and social foundations.

Question 18

Questions 18–20 refer to the following excerpt:

"The state of California shall be admitted into the Union without the imposition of restrictions on the exclusion or introduction of slavery within its borders. The slave trade, but not slavery itself, shall be abolished in the District of Columbia. A more stringent Fugitive Slave Law is to be enacted, requiring all states, regardless of their laws, to return escaped slaves to their owners."

What was a significant provision of the Compromise of 1850?

A	The admission of California as a free state.
B	The establishment of popular sovereignty in all territories.
C	The immediate abolition of slavery in all Southern states.
D	The establishment of the Underground Railroad.

Question 18 Explanation:

The correct answer is (A). One of the significant provisions of the Compromise of 1850 was the admission of California as a free state. This decision was part of a series of measures to maintain a balance between free and slave states.

Question 19

How did the Compromise of 1850 address the issue of slavery in Washington, D.C.?

A	It allowed for the expansion of slavery in the district.
B	It abolished the slave trade in the District.
C	It declared Washington, D.C., a free territory.
D	It remained silent on the issue.

Question 19 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). The Compromise of 1850 abolished the slave trade in the District of Columbia, though it did not abolish slavery itself in the district. This decision was a concession to anti-slavery sentiments.

Question 20

Which of the following was a controversial aspect of the Compromise of 1850?

A	The establishment of the Mason-Dixon Line.
B	The enactment of the Fugitive Slave Act.
C	The immediate emancipation of all slaves in the U.S.
D	The prohibition of slavery in all new territories.

Question 20 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). The Fugitive Slave Act, which was part of the Compromise of 1850, was highly controversial. It required that escaped slaves be returned to their masters, even if they had reached free states. This provision angered many in the North and intensified sectional tensions.

Question 21

Questions 21–23 refer to the following excerpt:

"In regard to the authority of the Constitution, African Americans have been considered as a subordinate and inferior class of beings, who had no rights which the white man was bound to respect. Furthermore, the Missouri Compromise is deemed unconstitutional, as Congress has no authority to prohibit the extension of slavery into the territories."

—Dred Scott v. Sandford, 1857

What was the Supreme Court's ruling regarding Dred Scott's claim to freedom?

A	He was granted freedom based on his residence in a free state.
B	He was denied freedom, and African Americans were not considered citizens.
C	He was granted freedom, but other African Americans remained enslaved.
D	The decision was left to the state courts to decide.

Question 21 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). The Supreme Court ruled that Dred Scott, and by extension all African Americans, were not considered citizens and therefore had no standing to sue in federal court. This decision reinforced the notion of African Americans as property rather than individuals with rights.

Question 22

How did the Dred Scott decision impact the Missouri Compromise?

A	It upheld the constitutionality of the Missouri Compromise.
B	It made no mention or judgment on the Missouri Compromise.
C	It declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional.
D	It expanded the provisions of the Missouri Compromise to all territories.

Question 22 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). The Dred Scott decision declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, arguing that Congress did not have the authority to prohibit the extension of slavery into the territories. This decision further intensified national debates over the issue of slavery.

Question 23

What was the broader implication of the Dred Scott decision for territories considering statehood?

A	They could not decide on the issue of slavery through popular sovereignty.
B	They could potentially become slave states regardless of their geographical location.
C	They were required to adopt anti-slavery constitutions.
D	They had to maintain a balance between free and slave populations.

Question 23 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). The Dred Scott decision implied that territories, regardless of their location or the wishes of their inhabitants, could potentially become slave states. This ruling further complicated the issue of slavery's expansion and intensified sectional tensions.

Question 24

Questions 24–26 refer to the following excerpt:

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure."

—Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address, 1863

What central idea does Lincoln emphasize in the Gettysburg Address?

A	The importance of winning the Civil War at any cost.
B	The principles of liberty and equality upon which the nation was founded.
C	The need for reconciliation and forgiveness between the North and South.
D	The economic benefits of a united nation.

Question 24 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln emphasizes the principles of liberty and equality as foundational to the United States. He reflects on the nation's origins and the ideals it was founded upon.

Question 25

According to the excerpt, what is the Civil War testing?

A	The military strength of the North and South.
B	The economic resilience of the United States.
C	The endurance of a nation founded on principles of liberty and equality.
D	The leadership capabilities of the nation's generals.

Question 25 Explanation:

The correct answer is (C). Lincoln suggests that the Civil War is testing whether a nation founded on the principles of liberty and equality can endure such a profound internal conflict. This perspective underscores the significance of the war not just as a military conflict, but as a test of the nation's foundational ideals.

Question 26

How did the Gettysburg Address impact public sentiment during the Civil War?

A	It caused widespread dissent and opposition to the war in the North.
B	It bolstered morale and reinforced the moral purpose of the Union cause.
C	It led to increased enlistment in the Confederate Army.
D	It was largely ignored and had little impact on public opinion.

Question 26 Explanation:

The correct answer is (B). The Gettysburg Address, with its eloquent reflection on the nation's ideals and the stakes of the war, bolstered morale in the North and reinforced the moral purpose of the Union cause. Lincoln's words served as a reminder of what was at stake and the importance of the Union's mission.

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