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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. At the end of "Chapter 8: The Cause of Liberty," by what year had Northern soldiers broadened their concept of liberty to include black people?

2. In the discussion of the hardships for soldiers' wives, what percentage of officers does McPherson say were married in his sample?

3. Right before the battle of Gettysburg, a lieutenant in the 53rd Georgia wrote to his wife, that Pennsylvania was the greatest country he'd ever seen; what was his wife's name?

4. When a twenty-five year old soldier in the 2nd Vermont married his fiancee during a furlough in "Chapter 10: We Know That We are Supported at Home," how many months was he with her during the first year of marriage?

5. At the end of "Chapter 7: On the Altar of My Country," McPherson says what percentage of the soldiers that comprised his sample material lost their lives in action?

Short Essay Questions

1. What challenges did soldiers face in the last year of the Civil War that exacerbated their combat exhaustion?

2. What difference did class and education make in terms of support when Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation?

3. Explain the massacres of black soldiers, as discussed in "Chapter 11: Vengeance Will be Our Motto."

4. After discussing how the conflict between love of family and love of country was a major concern for many Confederate soldiers, how does McPherson say the men resolved this dichotomy?

5. What types of letters did Confederate soldiers begin sending home toward the end of "Chapter 11: Vengeance Will be Our Motto"?

6. What can be considered ironic about the Confederate fascination with liberty, as discussed in "Chapter 8: The Cause of Liberty"?

7. What was meant when some soldiers wrote home about being stuck in a "rich man's war," toward the end of "Chapter 7: On the Altar of My Country"?

8. Based on the discussion of post-traumatic stress disorder, how likely does McPherson consider the possibility that many regiments suffered from this now well-acknowledged psychological issue?

9. Describe the information and political education level maintained by soldiers in "Chapter 7: On the Altar of My Country."

10. In Lincoln's discussions of democracy, what fear did he express if the South should be allowed to secede?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pick a quote (at least three sentences) from any soldier McPherson quotes in the book and apply John A. Lynn's three categories to that soldier. Explain how and why Lynn's categories apply to the individual you have chosen, and be sure to include supporting information from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the effect of the French concept of "rage militaire" during the Civil War with once instance of the same phenomenon in more modern times. In what ways has the effect of this phenomenon on society changed over time? In what ways is the effect the same? Include supporting quotes and information from the text and outside research as necessary.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the attitudes of Union soldiers toward the war before and after the Emancipation Proclamation. Be sure to discuss why some Union soldiers were angered by Lincoln's Proclamation, and include supporting quotes and information from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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