Chapter-15- The Old South
Quiz to help prepare for test
Questions and Answers
- 1.
The most important factor in making the South distinctive was
- A.
Slavery
- B.
Warmer weather suitable for growing cotton
- C.
The lack of immigrants
- D.
A belief that the South was distinctive
Correct Answer
D. A belief that the South was distinctiveExplanation
The answer "a belief that the South was distinctive" is the most important factor in making the South distinctive because it implies a sense of regional identity and pride. This belief would have influenced various aspects of Southern culture, including social norms, political ideologies, and economic practices. It would have shaped the way Southerners viewed themselves and interacted with the rest of the country. This belief likely played a significant role in the South's resistance to change during periods such as the Civil War and Reconstruction, as they sought to preserve their distinct way of life.Rate this question:
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- 2.
The growth of cotton production was caused by
- A.
Increasing slave population
- B.
Settlement of the Southwest
- C.
Decline of British and French textiles
- D.
All of the above
Correct Answer
B. Settlement of the SouthwestExplanation
The growth of cotton production was caused by the settlement of the Southwest. As settlers moved into the Southwest region of the United States, they brought with them the knowledge and skills needed to cultivate and harvest cotton. The Southwest's climate and fertile soil were well-suited for cotton cultivation, leading to a significant increase in production. This expansion of cotton production contributed to the overall growth of the industry. The increasing slave population and the decline of British and French textiles may have also played a role in the growth of cotton production, but the settlement of the Southwest was the primary cause.Rate this question:
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- 3.
In the South a growing sense of economic crisis resulted from
- A.
Exhaustion of the soil
- B.
Rising cost of slaves because of the end of the slave trade
- C.
The increasing unprofitability of slave labor
- D.
The textile industry's slowing demand for cotton
Correct Answer
A. Exhaustion of the soilExplanation
The growing sense of economic crisis in the South can be attributed to the exhaustion of the soil. As the land became depleted of its nutrients due to continuous cultivation of cash crops such as cotton, the productivity and profitability of agriculture declined. This led to a decline in the overall economic prosperity of the region, as the South heavily relied on agriculture, particularly cotton production, as a major source of income. The exhaustion of the soil therefore played a significant role in the economic crisis faced by the South.Rate this question:
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- 4.
In a white population of more than 8 million in 1860, the total number of planters (holding more than twenty slaves each) was
- A.
About 46,000
- B.
About 384,000
- C.
About 25 percent of the white population
- D.
About 2,300
Correct Answer
A. About 46,000Explanation
In 1860, the white population in the United States was over 8 million. Among this population, the correct answer states that the total number of planters, who were individuals holding more than twenty slaves each, was approximately 46,000. This suggests that a small percentage of the white population were planters who owned a significant number of slaves.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Southern planters owned
- A.
Nearly all the slaves
- B.
More than half of the slaves
- C.
About one fourth of the slaves
- D.
Less than ten percent of the slaves
Correct Answer
B. More than half of the slavesExplanation
Southern planters owned more than half of the slaves. This means that the majority of slaves in the Southern region were owned by the planters. It suggests a concentration of slave ownership among a specific group of wealthy individuals who were involved in large-scale agricultural production, such as plantation owners. This concentration of ownership highlights the economic and social disparities within the Southern society during that time period.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The moral code of white southern male emphasized
- A.
Christianity's golden rule
- B.
Equality derived from the American Revolution
- C.
Personal honor
- D.
Community, peace, and cooperation
Correct Answer
C. Personal honorExplanation
The correct answer is personal honor. The moral code of white southern males placed a strong emphasis on personal honor. This meant that they valued and upheld principles such as integrity, honesty, and dignity in their actions and interactions with others. Personal honor was seen as a crucial aspect of one's character and was highly valued in the southern society. It was expected that individuals would act in a way that maintained their personal honor and reputation, and failure to do so would result in social ostracism and loss of respect.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Between 1830 and 1860, the number of slaves in the South
- A.
Doubled
- B.
Remained the same
- C.
Declined slightly
- D.
Increased by 25 percent
Correct Answer
A. DoubledExplanation
During the period between 1830 and 1860, the number of slaves in the South doubled. This means that the population of enslaved individuals in the Southern states increased twofold during this time frame. This significant rise in the number of slaves can be attributed to various factors, including the expansion of cotton plantations and the demand for labor in the agricultural industry. The increase in the slave population had profound social, economic, and political implications for the South, ultimately leading to tensions and conflicts that would culminate in the American Civil War.Rate this question:
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- 8.
The closing of the African slave trade in 1808 caused
- A.
A decline in the westward expansion of cotton growing
- B.
A rise in the price of slaves
- C.
The slave population to stop growing
- D.
An end to slavery
Correct Answer
B. A rise in the price of slavesExplanation
The closing of the African slave trade in 1808 caused a rise in the price of slaves. This is because the supply of slaves from Africa was cut off, leading to a decrease in the number of available slaves. With a limited supply, the demand for slaves remained high, causing the price of slaves to increase. Slaveholders had to pay more to acquire slaves, which made owning slaves more expensive.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The infant mortality rate for slaves was
- A.
Lower than that for whites
- B.
Equal to that of whites
- C.
Slightly higher than that for whites
- D.
Twice as high as that for whites
Correct Answer
D. Twice as high as that for whitesExplanation
During the time of slavery, the living conditions for slaves were generally poor, with limited access to healthcare and proper nutrition. This resulted in higher rates of infant mortality among slaves compared to white infants. The answer choice "twice as high as that for whites" indicates that the infant mortality rate for slaves was double that of white infants, highlighting the significant disparity in health outcomes between the two groups.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The most common form of resistance to slavery by the slaves themselves was
- A.
Group rebellion similar to the Nat Turner insurrection
- B.
Escape by fleeing the slaveowner
- C.
Malingering and sabotage
- D.
Individual acts of violence similar to Celia's murder of her master
Correct Answer
C. Malingering and sabotageExplanation
The most common form of resistance to slavery by the slaves themselves was malingering and sabotage. This means that slaves would purposely fake illness or injury, or intentionally damage or sabotage property, tools, or crops to disrupt the productivity of the plantation. This form of resistance allowed slaves to resist their oppressors in a covert and non-violent manner, while still causing economic harm to the slaveowners. It was a way for slaves to assert some control and agency over their lives, even within the confines of their enslavement.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Compared to the Older South, the old southwestern frontier had
- A.
A more genteel culture
- B.
Larger farms
- C.
A healthier enviroment
- D.
Greater alcohol consumption
Correct Answer
D. Greater alcohol consumptionExplanation
The correct answer is "greater alcohol consumption". This can be inferred from the given statement that the old southwestern frontier had greater alcohol consumption compared to the Older South. The other options such as a more genteel culture, larger farms, and a healthier environment are not mentioned in the statement and therefore cannot be determined as factors in comparison.Rate this question:
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- 12.
In the antebellum South, freed African Americans
- A.
Were most numerous in rural areas
- B.
Were most numerous in cities
- C.
Were forbidden to own slaves
- D.
Were most numerous in the Deep South of Mississippi and Alabama
Correct Answer
A. Were most numerous in rural areasExplanation
In the antebellum South, freed African Americans were most numerous in rural areas. This can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, rural areas provided more opportunities for employment in agriculture and domestic work, which were the primary occupations for freed African Americans. Additionally, rural areas offered more space and freedom compared to cities, where they could establish their own communities and exercise greater autonomy. Moreover, the plantation system in the South was predominantly located in rural areas, leading to a higher concentration of freed African Americans in these regions.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Black abolitionists included
- A.
Frederick Douglass
- B.
Sojourner Truth
- C.
William Wells Brown
- D.
All of the above
Correct Answer
D. All of the aboveExplanation
The correct answer is "all of the above" because all three individuals mentioned in the question were black abolitionists. Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and William Wells Brown were prominent figures in the fight against slavery in the United States. They played significant roles in advocating for the rights and freedom of enslaved African Americans through their writings, speeches, and activism.Rate this question:
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- 14.
The so-called gag rule in the U.S House of Representatives applied to
- A.
Any discussion of slavery
- B.
Consideration of abolitionist petitions
- C.
Newspapers in the District of Columbia
- D.
President John Quincy Adams
Correct Answer
B. Consideration of abolitionist petitionsExplanation
The so-called gag rule in the U.S House of Representatives refers to a rule that prohibited any discussion or consideration of abolitionist petitions. This rule was put in place to silence and suppress the anti-slavery movement in Congress, preventing any meaningful debate or action on the issue of slavery. The rule aimed to prevent the consideration of abolitionist petitions, effectively denying the voices and concerns of those advocating for the end of slavery.Rate this question:
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- 15.
George Fitzhugh's unusual defense of slavery said
- A.
The Old Testament endorsed slavery
- B.
Blacks were racially inferior to whites
- C.
Slavery was bettter than northern industrial work
- D.
Southern white prosperity depended on slave labor
Correct Answer
C. Slavery was bettter than northern industrial workExplanation
George Fitzhugh's unusual defense of slavery argued that slavery was better than northern industrial work. This suggests that Fitzhugh believed that the conditions and treatment of slaves in the South were preferable to the harsh working conditions and exploitation experienced by workers in the industrialized North. Fitzhugh likely believed that the economic prosperity of white Southerners relied on the labor of slaves, and that the system of slavery was more beneficial for both the slaveholders and the slaves themselves compared to the conditions faced by workers in the North.Rate this question:
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Nov 29, 2009Quiz Created by
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