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Franklin Pierce was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, and his father was a prominent lawyer and Revolutionary War veteran.
Answer: True
Explanation: Franklin Pierce was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. His father, Benjamin Pierce, was a lieutenant in the American Revolutionary War and later served as governor of New Hampshire.
Before his presidency, Franklin Pierce served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and as U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pierce's pre-presidential career included service in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, the U.S. House of Representatives (1833-1837), the U.S. Senate (1837-1842), and as U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire (starting 1845).
Franklin Pierce served as a brigadier general in the Mexican-American War, seeing combat action.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pierce participated in the Mexican-American War as a brigadier general, commanding a brigade and seeing action in several battles, though he sustained injuries.
Pierce's brief military service in the Mexican-American War enhanced his public image, earning him the nickname 'The Hero of the Mexican War'.
Answer: True
Explanation: His service as a brigadier general in the Mexican-American War boosted Pierce's public image, though injuries sustained also led to later accusations of cowardice.
Which of the following positions did Franklin Pierce hold *before* becoming President?
Answer: U.S. Senator from New Hampshire and U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire.
Explanation: Pierce's pre-presidential career included service in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and as U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire.
What was Franklin Pierce's role during the Mexican-American War?
Answer: He was a brigadier general in the U.S. Army, seeing combat action.
Explanation: Franklin Pierce participated in the Mexican-American War as a brigadier general in the United States Army. He commanded a brigade of reinforcements for General Winfield Scott's army, seeing action in several battles.
How did Pierce's military service potentially affect his later political career?
Answer: It boosted his public image but also led to later accusations of cowardice related to injuries sustained.
Explanation: Pierce's service as a brigadier general in the Mexican-American War boosted his public image, but injuries sustained during the war also led to later accusations of cowardice, which shadowed him.
Pierce was chosen as the Democratic presidential nominee on the 49th ballot at the 1852 convention after a long deadlock among other candidates.
Answer: True
Explanation: Franklin Pierce secured the Democratic nomination on the 49th ballot of the 1852 convention, emerging as a compromise candidate after a prolonged deadlock.
Franklin Pierce and his running mate William R. King won the 1852 presidential election decisively, securing a large majority of votes.
Answer: True
Explanation: Franklin Pierce and William R. King won the 1852 election with a significant majority of both the electoral and popular votes, defeating the Whig ticket.
Who was Franklin Pierce and what was his presidential number?
Answer: The 14th President, who served one term from 1853 to 1857.
Explanation: Franklin Pierce was the 14th president of the United States, serving one term from 1853 to 1857. He was a Northern Democrat who sought to preserve the Union by navigating the growing sectional tensions over slavery.
How was Franklin Pierce nominated for President by the Democratic Party in 1852?
Answer: He was chosen as a compromise candidate on the 49th ballot after a long deadlock.
Explanation: Democrats nominated Pierce on the 49th ballot at the 1852 Democratic National Convention. He was seen as a compromise candidate who could unite Northern and Southern interests within the party after a prolonged deadlock.
What was the outcome of the 1852 presidential election for Franklin Pierce?
Answer: He won the election decisively, securing a large majority of votes.
Explanation: Franklin Pierce and his running mate William R. King won the 1852 presidential election decisively, defeating the Whig Party ticket and securing a significant majority of both the electoral and popular votes.
Franklin Pierce viewed the abolitionist movement as a threat to the nation's unity.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pierce believed that the abolitionist movement posed a fundamental threat to the nation's unity and sought to maintain peace by enforcing existing laws related to slavery.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act, signed by Pierce, repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed territories to decide on slavery via popular sovereignty.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 organized new territories and allowed settlers to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty, effectively repealing the Missouri Compromise of 1820.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 was praised by abolitionists for opening new territories to free labor.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the Missouri Compromise and was highly controversial, intensifying conflict over slavery rather than being praised by abolitionists for opening territories to free labor.
"Bleeding Kansas" referred to violent civil unrest and conflict in the Kansas Territory.
Answer: True
Explanation: 'Bleeding Kansas' describes the period of violent clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in Kansas Territory, a direct result of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
Pierce's administration recognized the pro-slavery legislature in Kansas Territory and used federal troops against the anti-slavery government.
Answer: True
Explanation: Despite evidence of electoral fraud, Pierce's administration recognized the pro-slavery legislature in Kansas and deployed federal troops to suppress the anti-slavery Topeka government.
Franklin Pierce believed in the strict enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pierce was committed to enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act, requiring citizens to assist in capturing escaped slaves, which further angered abolitionists.
The midterm elections of 1854 resulted in significant losses for the Democratic Party under Pierce's leadership.
Answer: True
Explanation: The midterm elections of 1854 were devastating for the Democratic Party, with significant losses occurring across the North due to dissatisfaction with Pierce's policies.
Jefferson Davis served as Pierce's Secretary of War during his presidency.
Answer: True
Explanation: Jefferson Davis, a close friend of Pierce, served as the Secretary of War in Pierce's cabinet.
Pierce's administration implemented reforms in the Treasury Department aimed at increasing efficiency and combating fraud.
Answer: True
Explanation: During Pierce's presidency, Treasury Secretary James Guthrie worked to reform the department by increasing oversight and reclaiming funds from officials involved in fraud.
Franklin Pierce opposed federal funding for internal improvements, viewing such projects as the responsibility of individual states.
Answer: True
Explanation: Adhering to a strict constructionist view, Pierce opposed federal funding for internal improvements, believing they were primarily the responsibility of individual states.
Franklin Pierce supported the Compromise of 1850 and worked to ensure party unity around it.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pierce publicly supported the Compromise of 1850 and worked to maintain Democratic Party unity around its provisions, even removing a candidate who opposed it.
Pierce criticized abolitionist ministers in New England, viewing their activism as divisive and detrimental to national unity.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pierce publicly denounced New England Protestant ministers who supported abolition, labeling their views as harmful to the nation's cohesion.
Franklin Pierce's only Supreme Court appointment was John Archibald Campbell, who was known for his states' rights views.
Answer: True
Explanation: John Archibald Campbell was Pierce's sole appointment to the Supreme Court. Campbell was known for his advocacy of states' rights.
Pierce's presidency coincided with the collapse of the second party system, marked by the decline of the Whigs and the rise of new political alignments.
Answer: True
Explanation: The divisive issue of slavery and Pierce's administration's policies contributed significantly to the fragmentation of the Whig Party and the emergence of the Republican Party, altering the political landscape.
What was Franklin Pierce's perspective on the abolitionist movement's impact on the nation?
Answer: He viewed it as a fundamental threat to the nation's unity.
Explanation: Franklin Pierce believed that the abolitionist movement posed a fundamental threat to the nation's unity. He sought to maintain peace and prevent secession by enforcing existing laws related to slavery, even if they were controversial.
Which controversial legislative act, signed by Franklin Pierce, repealed the Missouri Compromise and intensified conflict over slavery?
Answer: The Kansas-Nebraska Act
Explanation: The Kansas-Nebraska Act organized the territories of Kansas and Nebraska and allowed settlers to decide on the issue of slavery through popular sovereignty. This act repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and led to increased sectional conflict and violence in the territories.
The period known as "Bleeding Kansas" was a direct consequence of which policy enacted during Pierce's term?
Answer: The Kansas-Nebraska Act and its principle of popular sovereignty.
Explanation: "Bleeding Kansas" was a direct result of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which introduced the principle of popular sovereignty, leading to violent conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers.
How did Pierce's administration respond to the violence and competing governments in Kansas Territory?
Answer: It recognized the pro-slavery legislature and used federal troops against the anti-slavery government.
Explanation: Pierce's administration recognized the pro-slavery legislature in Kansas, despite evidence of electoral fraud, and dispatched federal troops to suppress the anti-slavery Topeka government, thereby exacerbating the conflict.
What was Franklin Pierce's stance on enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act?
Answer: He was committed to its strict enforcement, requiring citizens to assist in capturing escaped slaves.
Explanation: Franklin Pierce was committed to enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act, which required citizens to assist in the capture and return of escaped slaves. His administration's strict enforcement further angered abolitionists.
The midterm elections of 1854 and 1855 resulted in which major political shift during Pierce's presidency?
Answer: Significant losses for the Democratic Party and the rise of the Republican Party.
Explanation: The midterm elections saw significant losses for the Democratic Party, reflecting Northern dissatisfaction with Pierce's policies. This period also marked the rise of the Republican Party, which gained considerable strength.
During Pierce's presidency, Jefferson Davis served in which cabinet position?
Answer: Secretary of War
Explanation: Jefferson Davis served as the Secretary of War in Franklin Pierce's cabinet. He was a close friend and political ally of Pierce.
Franklin Pierce's view on federal funding for internal improvements was generally:
Answer: Opposed, viewing such projects as the responsibility of individual states.
Explanation: Pierce opposed federal funding for internal improvements, believing such projects were the responsibility of individual states, aligning with a strict constructionist interpretation of federal power.
What was Pierce's stance on the Missouri Compromise of 1820?
Answer: He allowed it to be repealed by the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which he supported.
Explanation: Franklin Pierce supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 by allowing territories to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty.
The rise of the Know-Nothing Party during Pierce's presidency indicated:
Answer: A shift in voter sentiment reflecting dissatisfaction with existing parties and policies.
Explanation: The rise of the nativist Know-Nothing (American) Party reflected voter dissatisfaction with the established political parties and policies, contributing to the shifting political landscape during Pierce's term.
Which statement best describes Pierce's view on states' rights, particularly concerning slavery?
Answer: He generally aligned with Southern views, believing the federal government should not interfere with states' internal affairs, including slavery.
Explanation: Pierce generally aligned with Southern views on states' rights, believing the federal government should not interfere with the internal affairs of states, including the institution of slavery.
What was a notable aspect of Pierce's Cabinet during his presidency?
Answer: All of his original cabinet members served for his entire four-year term.
Explanation: It was notable that all of Franklin Pierce's original cabinet members served for his entire four-year term, providing unusual stability within his administration.
What steps did Pierce's administration take regarding the Justice Department?
Answer: They expanded the role of the U.S. Attorney General in federal appointments.
Explanation: Pierce's administration took steps to expand the role of the U.S. Attorney General in appointing federal judges and attorneys, which was considered an important development in the eventual creation of the Department of Justice.
During Pierce's presidency, the U.S. acquired territory for a southern transcontinental railroad route through the Gadsden Purchase.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Gadsden Purchase, finalized in 1853, involved acquiring a strip of land from Mexico primarily to facilitate the construction of a southern transcontinental railroad.
The Ostend Manifesto, associated with Pierce's administration, suggested the U.S. should acquire Cuba, potentially by force, which caused significant controversy.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Ostend Manifesto proposed that the U.S. should take Cuba from Spain, even if by force, alarming anti-slavery factions and provoking widespread criticism.
The 'Young America' movement, with which Pierce's administration aligned, advocated for territorial acquisition and the expansion of American democracy abroad.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Young America' movement championed the expansion of American democracy and republicanism, influencing Pierce's administration's policies on territorial acquisition and foreign affairs.
The Gadsden Purchase, finalized during Pierce's presidency, primarily served which purpose?
Answer: To acquire territory for a potential southern transcontinental railroad route.
Explanation: The Gadsden Purchase, negotiated with Mexico in 1853, involved the acquisition of land in present-day southern Arizona and New Mexico, primarily intended to facilitate the construction of a southern transcontinental railroad.
What was the controversial nature of the Ostend Manifesto during Pierce's presidency?
Answer: It suggested the U.S. should acquire Cuba, potentially by force, alarming anti-slavery factions.
Explanation: The Ostend Manifesto suggested the U.S. should take Cuba from Spain, even if by force, which provoked widespread criticism, particularly in the North, as it was seen as an attempt to expand slavery.
Which of the following was NOT a policy initiative or action during Pierce's presidency?
Answer: Overseeing the construction of the first transcontinental railroad.
Explanation: While Pierce's administration supported the Gadsden Purchase for a potential railroad route and negotiated trade treaties, the actual construction of the first transcontinental railroad occurred later.
How did Pierce's administration handle relations with Great Britain concerning territorial waters and trade?
Answer: They pursued a reciprocity agreement that eased tensions and reduced disputes over fishing rights.
Explanation: Pierce's administration sought to resolve issues with Great Britain, particularly concerning fishing rights and trade, by negotiating a reciprocity agreement that eased tensions.
What was Pierce's administration's approach to expanding American influence, particularly in line with the 'Young America' movement?
Answer: Advocating for territorial acquisition and the spread of American democracy abroad.
Explanation: Pierce's administration aligned with the expansionist ideals of the 'Young America' movement, advocating for the acquisition of new territories and the spread of American democracy internationally.
A tragic train accident occurred shortly before Pierce's inauguration, killing his only surviving son, Benjamin.
Answer: True
Explanation: Weeks after his election and shortly before his inauguration, Franklin Pierce, his wife Jane, and their son Benjamin were involved in a train derailment where their 11-year-old son was killed.
The death of his son Benjamin in the train accident profoundly affected Pierce and his wife, leading to deep grief and questioning of divine will.
Answer: True
Explanation: The loss of their son Benjamin deeply impacted both Franklin and Jane Pierce. Jane, in particular, questioned if the tragedy was divine punishment for her husband's political ambitions.
After leaving the White House, Jane Pierce lived a quieter life, largely withdrawn due to continued mourning and illness.
Answer: True
Explanation: Jane Pierce remained in mourning for her son and avoided social functions for much of her time as First Lady, continuing a quieter, more private existence after leaving the White House.
Franklin Pierce's family life was marked by tragedy, with all three of his sons dying at young ages.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pierce and his wife Jane lost all three of their sons: one died in infancy, another from typhus, and the youngest, Benjamin, in a train accident shortly before Pierce's inauguration.
Franklin Pierce died at the age of 64 from cirrhosis of the liver, exacerbated by heavy drinking.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pierce's health declined in his later years, and he died on October 8, 1869, at age 64, from cirrhosis of the liver.
What personal tragedy profoundly affected Franklin Pierce and his wife shortly before his inauguration?
Answer: The death of their only surviving son, Benjamin, in a train accident.
Explanation: Weeks after his election and shortly before his inauguration, Franklin Pierce, his wife Jane, and their son Benjamin were involved in a train derailment where their 11-year-old son was killed, casting a shadow of grief over the family.
How did the train accident involving his son impact Jane Pierce?
Answer: It led her to question whether the tragedy was divine punishment for her husband's political ambition.
Explanation: The death of their son Benjamin deeply affected Jane Pierce, leading her to question whether the tragedy was divine punishment for her husband's pursuit of high office.
After leaving the White House, Jane Pierce's life was characterized by:
Answer: Continued mourning for her son and a quieter, more private existence.
Explanation: After leaving the White House, Jane Pierce remained in mourning for her son and avoided social functions for much of her first two years as First Lady. She later found solace in her faith and lived a quieter life.
Which statement best describes Franklin Pierce's personal family life?
Answer: His family life was marked by the early deaths of all three of his sons.
Explanation: Pierce's family life was marked by profound tragedy, as all three of his sons died at young ages: one in infancy, another at age four, and the youngest, Benjamin, at age eleven.
What was the cause of Franklin Pierce's death?
Answer: Cirrhosis of the liver, exacerbated by heavy drinking.
Explanation: Franklin Pierce died on October 8, 1869, at the age of 64, from cirrhosis of the liver. His health had declined in his final years, partly due to heavy drinking.
What was Pierce's relationship with the novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne?
Answer: They were lifelong friends who met at college, and Hawthorne wrote a biography of Pierce.
Explanation: Franklin Pierce and Nathaniel Hawthorne were lifelong friends, having met at Bowdoin College. Hawthorne wrote a biography of Pierce to support his presidential campaign.
Franklin Pierce, the 14th President, served one term in office from 1853 to 1857.
Answer: True
Explanation: Franklin Pierce was indeed the 14th President of the United States, serving a single term from 1853 to 1857.
Franklin Pierce was not renominated by the Democratic Party for a second term in 1856 due to his declining popularity and electoral vulnerability.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pierce was the first elected president to fail to secure his party's nomination for a second term, largely because his administration was widely unpopular in the North.
James Buchanan succeeded Franklin Pierce as President after Pierce's term.
Answer: True
Explanation: James Buchanan, who had been serving as Minister to Great Britain during Pierce's term, received the Democratic nomination in 1856 and succeeded Pierce as President.
After leaving office, Franklin Pierce became a vocal critic of President Lincoln's wartime policies, including the suspension of habeas corpus.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pierce opposed Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus, arguing it violated civil liberties, a stance that aligned him with some Northern Democrats but drew criticism.
Franklin Pierce viewed the Civil War as a "cruel, heartless, aimless, unnecessary" conflict that could have been avoided.
Answer: True
Explanation: Pierce expressed strong opposition to the Civil War, believing it was avoidable and lamenting its destructive nature.
Historians generally rank Franklin Pierce as one of the least successful and most problematic U.S. presidents.
Answer: True
Explanation: Franklin Pierce's presidency is often viewed as a failure, largely due to his inability to prevent the nation from descending into civil war, leading to low rankings by historians.
Why was Franklin Pierce unable to secure the Democratic nomination for a second term in 1856?
Answer: He was widely disliked in the North due to policies like the Kansas-Nebraska Act, making him electorally vulnerable.
Explanation: Pierce was not renominated because his administration was widely unpopular in the North, particularly due to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, making him electorally vulnerable. He was the first elected president to fail to secure his party's nomination for a second term.
Who ultimately received the Democratic presidential nomination in 1856, succeeding Pierce?
Answer: James Buchanan
Explanation: James Buchanan was nominated by the Democratic Party in the 1856 presidential election. Having served overseas as Minister to Great Britain, he was shielded from the political fallout of Pierce's term.
What was Franklin Pierce's public stance on President Lincoln's actions during the Civil War?
Answer: He became a vocal critic, opposing measures like the suspension of habeas corpus.
Explanation: After leaving office, Pierce became a vocal critic of President Lincoln's wartime policies. He opposed the suspension of habeas corpus, arguing it violated civil liberties.
How did Franklin Pierce view the Civil War itself?
Answer: As a cruel, heartless, and unnecessary conflict that could have been avoided.
Explanation: Pierce expressed deep opposition to the Civil War, calling it "cruel, heartless, aimless, unnecessary." He believed that the conflict could have been avoided if the North had not agitated against slavery.
How do historians generally evaluate Franklin Pierce's presidency?
Answer: As a failure, largely due to his inability to prevent the nation from descending into civil war.
Explanation: Historians and scholars generally rank Franklin Pierce as one of the worst and least memorable U.S. presidents. His presidency is often viewed as a failure due to his handling of sectional tensions and his inability to prevent the nation from descending into civil war.
In his final message to Congress, Franklin Pierce primarily focused on:
Answer: Vigorously criticizing Republicans and abolitionists while defending his administration's record.
Explanation: In his final message to Congress in December 1856, Pierce vigorously criticized Republicans and abolitionists, defending his administration's policies and record on fiscal matters and foreign relations.