U.S. History
A Divided Nation
Chapter 15 Test
1. During the debate over the spread of slavery into new territories, some leaders
promoted _______________, the idea that political power belongs to the people.
2. Since existing political parties were not taking strong antislavery positions, some
northerners formed a new party called the ___________ Party.
3. Senator Henry Clay proposed the ____________ in an attempt to give something to
each side in the debate about the spread of slavery.
4. The ______________ Act made it illegal to help runaway slaves.
5. Published in 1852, ____________ was a powerful antislavery novel whose main
character was a slave named Tom who was eventually beaten to death.
6. What was Stephen Douglas’s objective in proposing the Kansas-Nebraska Act?
A. He wanted to end slavery.
B. He wanted to spread slavery.
C. He wanted to build a railroad from Chicago to the Pacific Ocean.
D. He believed in popular sovereignty.
7. After the unfair election of 1855, how could the new legislature in Kansas be
described?
A. pro-slavery
B. antislavery
C. pro-life
D. pro-choice
8. John Brown was a(n)__________ who killed five men in the Pottawatomie Massacre.
A. senator
B. African American
C. plantation owner
D. abolitionist
9. Which of the following parties was formed in 1854 to combat the spread of slavery?
A. American Party
B. Republican Party
C. Know-Nothing Party
D. Democrat Party
10. How did abolitionists view the Dred Scot decision?
A. It was a victory for their cause.
B. It was a setback to their cause.
C. It undermined the U.S. legal system.
D. It had nothing to do with the abolition of slavery.
11. What office were the two candidates in the Lincoln-Douglas debates competing for?
A. president
B. mayor
C. governor
D. senator
12. Who won the 1858 Illinois senatorial election, thanks in part to the Freeport
Doctrine?
A. Lincoln
B. Douglas
C. The candidates tied and Lincoln was chosen in a re-vote.
D. The candidates tied and Douglas was chosen in a re-vote.
13. John Brown’s raid was a success: Several hundred slaves rose up against their
masters.
True
False
14. John Brown was convicted in court and hanged.
True
False
15. Abraham Lincoln won the presidential election of 1860, receiving an overwhelming
majority of the popular vote.
True
False
16. Lincoln insisted on abolishing slavery in the South immediately upon taking office.
True
False
17. At the time of his first inauguration, Lincoln still hoped that war could be avoided.
True
False