American History Homework Six Answers - Model

Lecture - Questions - Student Answers

1. Was the main goal of the newly elected President Lincoln to end slavery, or save the Union?

2. Explain the purposes of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution.

I know you will not consider her a military figure, however, I will plead my cause. She endured just as much war 'gore' as anyone else. She served on the front line, was almost killed to times - the bullets went through her clothing, and by serving on the front line was considered a man not a woman by 'proper society'. Therefore, Clara gave her good name and reputation to help in the Civil War; she deserve as much credit, if not more, than any other 'military figure'. Now that I've justified myself...My favorite figure from the Civil War was Clara Barton. She was a nurse during the war and aided many soldiers in need. Clara stood on the front line, catching soldiers as they fell, and bringing them back to the hospital tent. She endured the hardships and she improved many of them. Food, for example. Clara put an ad in newspapers begging for food for the soldiers. It worked and she soon found herself organizing a distributing company for the large amounts of food she received. When she did the same for necessities, the public again sent large amounts of blankets, socks, shirts and other things. She was loved by all she nursed and was called the Angel of the Battlefield by all soldiers. After a long struggle, Clara was able to begin an American Red Cross thirteen years later to aid anyone targeted by disaster. She was its president for the next 23 three years. Clara was - and is - a true Civil War heroine. (Bethany S.)

3. Who was your favorite military figure from the Civil War, and why?

My favorite military figure of the Civil War is General Robert E. Lee. This is because first, he wasn’t on the side instigating the aggression. Second, he was strategic and was good at what he did. Third, he surrendered finally to Grant so that more lives wouldn’t have to be lost after so many had already been taken. This shows that he had at least some respect for human life. (Katie B.)

4. How would you have handled Reconstruction differently?

5. Abraham Lincoln was homeschooled. Do you see any characteristics in him that might have reflected his homeschooling, such as his independent thinking?

6. Please interpret the cartoon about the dream to the right. Its title is "Abraham's dream!--'Coming events cast their shadows before.'" Lincoln is fleeing to left while wearing a Scotsman's plaid cap and a cape. He declares, "This don't remind me of any joke!!"

7. Please interpret the cartoon with Columbia below. The caption is, "The Chinese Question." Columbia says, "Hands off, gentlemen. America means fair play for all men."

Honors Questions

These questions require answers that are a bit longer than the answers above. Answer three out of the following questions (in addition to the questions above):

H1. Which do you prefer, inflation or deflation? In your answer explain whether deflation or inflation is encouraged more by "hard money" (a gold standard for money).

H2. Free enterprise after the Civil War: a good or bad thing?

H3. Write about any issue or debate from the time period of 1860-1876.

H4. Andrew Johnson: misunderstood or incompetent?

H5. Your view of Abraham Lincoln, please.