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The Confederate States Congress convened its initial provisional sessions in Richmond, Virginia, which served as the Confederacy's permanent capital.
Answer: False
The initial provisional meetings of the Confederate Congress were held in Montgomery, Alabama. Richmond, Virginia, later became the Confederacy's permanent capital.
The Provisional Congress of the Confederate States was the permanent legislative body established after the Civil War began.
Answer: False
The Provisional Congress was a temporary legislative body established to organize the Confederacy's initial government. A Permanent Confederate Constitution was later adopted, establishing a permanent Congress.
The Confederate Congress first convened provisionally on February 4, 1861, in Charleston, South Carolina.
Answer: False
The Confederate Congress first convened provisionally on February 4, 1861, in Montgomery, Alabama, not Charleston, South Carolina.
The Permanent Confederate Constitution was adopted in Montgomery, Alabama, between February 28 and March 11, 1861.
Answer: True
The Permanent Confederate Constitution was adopted unanimously by the Provisional Congress, acting as a Constitutional Convention, in Montgomery, Alabama, between February 28 and March 11, 1861.
Where did the Confederate Congress hold its initial meetings as a provisional body?
Answer: Montgomery, Alabama
The Confederate Congress convened its initial provisional sessions in Montgomery, Alabama, which served as the Confederacy's first capital.
What was the primary role of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States?
Answer: To establish the Confederacy's government and organize its initial structure.
The Provisional Congress was tasked with establishing the foundational governmental structure for the newly formed Confederacy and organizing its initial operations.
Which event is cited as a key factor contributing to the secession of Southern states and the formation of the Confederacy?
Answer: The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860.
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, perceived by Southern states as a threat to their institutions, served as a primary catalyst for secession and the subsequent formation of the Confederacy.
The primary objectives of the Confederate States Congress included establishing a new national government and prosecuting the American Civil War.
Answer: True
The fundamental roles of the Confederate Congress were to create the governmental structure for the Confederacy and to manage the prosecution of the Civil War.
The Confederate Congress officially declared war on the United States on July 4, 1861.
Answer: False
The Confederate Congress officially declared war on the United States on May 6, 1861, authorizing the President to use all available forces to pursue the conflict.
Following Lincoln's call for troops after Fort Sumter, the Confederate Provisional Congress authorized an army of only 100,000 men.
Answer: False
In response to Lincoln's call for troops, the Confederate Provisional Congress authorized a much larger force, eventually approving an army of 400,000 men, along with additional state militia troops.
The Confederate Congress authorized the President to issue letters of marque and reprisal, allowing private citizens to capture Union vessels.
Answer: True
On May 6, 1861, Congress authorized the President to issue letters of marque and reprisal, empowering private ship owners to capture Union vessels as a means to supplement the Confederate Navy.
The Conscription Act of April 16, 1862, was the first instance of a national military draft implemented in North America.
Answer: True
The Conscription Act of April 16, 1862, marked the first national military draft enacted on the North American continent, significantly increasing the Confederate army's manpower.
The 'class-exemption system' in Confederate conscription primarily exempted poor farmers and laborers to ensure essential workforce continuity.
Answer: False
The 'class-exemption system' was widely criticized for exempting individuals in certain occupations and, notably, owners or overseers of twenty or more slaves, leading to perceptions of it being 'class legislation' that favored the wealthy.
The Confederate Congress successfully transferred all authority over conscription from the President to state control during the Second Session of the First Congress.
Answer: False
Attempts by states' rights advocates to remove conscription from presidential authority and place it under state control during the Second Session of the First Congress were unsuccessful.
The exemption for owners or overseers of twenty or more slaves was universally accepted and praised for its fairness.
Answer: False
The exemption for owners or overseers of twenty or more slaves was highly controversial and widely condemned as class legislation, prompting petitions for its repeal.
Congress consistently refused to grant the president the authority to suspend the writ of habeas corpus throughout the entire war.
Answer: False
Congress authorized the president to suspend the writ of habeas corpus in specific areas, and this authority was renewed or exercised at various points during the war, although national suspension faced limitations.
The Confederate Congress officially disbanded the 'partisan ranger' units, integrating them into the regular army to improve discipline.
Answer: True
In February 1864, Congress absorbed the 'partisan ranger' units into the regular Confederate army, a measure intended to enhance discipline and operational effectiveness.
On what date did the Confederate Congress officially declare war on the United States?
Answer: May 6, 1861
The Confederate Congress officially declared war on the United States on May 6, 1861.
What was the significance of the Conscription Act passed on April 16, 1862?
Answer: It was the first national military draft in North America.
The Conscription Act of April 16, 1862, represented the first instance of a national military draft implemented on the North American continent.
What significant change regarding military service did Congress enact in February 1864?
Answer: Expanded draft ages (17-50) and created a reserve corps.
In February 1864, Congress expanded the conscription ages to include individuals from 17 to 50, assigning younger and older men to a reserve corps for detail duty.
What action did Congress take regarding 'partisan ranger' units in February 1864?
Answer: Absorbed them into the regular army.
In February 1864, Congress voted to absorb the 'partisan ranger' units into the regular Confederate army, aiming to improve discipline and command structure.
What was the purpose of authorizing letters of marque and reprisal by the Confederate Congress?
Answer: To allow private ship owners to capture U.S. vessels and supplement the Navy.
Authorizing letters of marque and reprisal enabled private ship owners to engage in privateering, capturing Union vessels and thereby augmenting the Confederate Navy's capabilities.
Throughout the Civil War, the Confederate Congress maintained a consistently agreeable relationship with President Jefferson Davis's administration.
Answer: False
While there was initial agreement, the relationship between President Davis and the Confederate Congress evolved, marked by increasing assertiveness from Congress and disagreements over policies and administration, particularly as the war progressed.
Jefferson Davis was elected President of the Confederate States of America by popular vote before the Provisional Congress convened.
Answer: False
Jefferson Davis was elected President of the Confederate States of America by the Provisional Congress on February 9, 1861, after the provisional constitution was adopted, not by popular vote prior to the Congress convening.
The elections for the Second Confederate Congress saw a decrease in anti-administration members due to widespread public satisfaction with the war effort.
Answer: False
The elections for the Second Confederate Congress resulted in a notable increase in anti-administration members, reflecting growing discontent and criticism of President Davis's policies amidst military setbacks and hardship.
The Davis administration was defeated on issues including financial proposals and the timing of arming slaves during the Second Congress.
Answer: True
The Davis administration faced defeats in Congress on several key issues, including financial proposals and the timing of authorizing the arming of slaves, indicating significant legislative opposition.
How did the political divisions within the Confederate Congress primarily manifest?
Answer: Stemming from issues related to President Jefferson Davis's policies and administration.
Political divisions within the Confederate Congress were predominantly characterized by disagreements concerning President Jefferson Davis's policies and administrative decisions, rather than adherence to old party lines.
Who was elected President of the Confederate States of America by the Provisional Congress?
Answer: Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis was elected President of the Confederate States of America by the Provisional Congress on February 9, 1861.
Which of the following was a major issue on which the Davis administration was defeated during the Second Congress?
Answer: The refusal to reauthorize the suspension of habeas corpus in 1865.
Among other defeats, the Davis administration was unsuccessful in its efforts to reauthorize the suspension of habeas corpus in 1865, indicating a significant legislative challenge.
Which statement best describes the evolution of the relationship between President Davis and the Confederate Congress?
Answer: The Congress became increasingly assertive and critical of Davis's policies over time.
Initially cooperative, the relationship between President Davis and the Confederate Congress grew more complex, with Congress demonstrating increasing assertiveness and critical engagement with the administration's policies as the war progressed.
What was the primary reason cited for the sustained support of the Davis administration in Congress, despite opposition?
Answer: Universal desire to win the war and patriotism.
A primary factor sustaining support for the Davis administration within Congress was the pervasive desire among members to achieve victory in the war, often leading to deference to the President's proposals out of patriotism.
Which of the following was NOT a major issue on which the Davis administration was defeated during the Second Congress?
Answer: The initial Conscription Act of April 16, 1862.
While the Davis administration faced defeats on issues such as class exemptions, financial proposals, and habeas corpus suspension, the initial Conscription Act of April 16, 1862, was a foundational measure that predated the specific legislative battles of the Second Congress where these defeats occurred.
Delegates to the Provisional Congress were primarily selected through direct popular elections held across the Confederacy.
Answer: False
Delegates to the Provisional Congress were typically chosen by state secessionist conventions, not through direct popular elections.
The Permanent Confederate Constitution explicitly granted inherent rights to the central government, superseding state sovereignty.
Answer: False
The Permanent Confederate Constitution emphasized states' rights, referring to the 'Sovereign and Independent States' and defining powers granted to the central government as 'delegated,' thereby reinforcing state sovereignty rather than superseding it.
Elections for the First Confederate States Congress were held in the spring of 1862, mirroring the U.S. election schedule.
Answer: False
Elections for the First Confederate States Congress were held on November 6, 1861, deviating from the U.S. practice of holding elections in even-numbered years.
Senators to the Confederate Congress were directly elected by popular vote in each state.
Answer: False
Under the Permanent Constitution, senators to the Confederate Congress were elected by state legislatures, not directly by popular vote.
The Confederate Constitution's apportionment basis for representation was significantly different from the U.S. Constitution, excluding enslaved people from the count.
Answer: False
The Confederate Constitution's apportionment basis for representation was fundamentally similar to the U.S. Constitution, counting the free population and applying a three-fifths rule for enslaved individuals, rather than excluding them.
Virginia held a lower apportionment of representatives in the Confederate Congress (11) compared to its representation in the U.S. Congress (13 based on 1850 census).
Answer: False
Virginia's apportionment in the Confederate Congress was higher (16 representatives) than its representation in the U.S. Congress based on the 1860 census (11 representatives), and also higher than its 1850 census representation (13 representatives).
The Confederate Congress, unlike the U.S. Congress, required a majority of 1860 voters to have voted for representatives for them to be seated.
Answer: False
The Confederate Congress did not require a majority of 1860 voters to have voted for representatives for them to be seated, a distinction from certain U.S. Congressional practices that allowed representation to continue even in areas with significant Union occupation or divided loyalties.
How were delegates to the Provisional Congress typically selected?
Answer: By state secessionist conventions.
Delegates to the Provisional Congress were generally chosen by state secessionist conventions, which represented their respective congressional districts.
What was a significant characteristic of the Permanent Confederate Constitution regarding the central government's powers?
Answer: It defined government powers as 'delegated,' emphasizing state sovereignty.
The Permanent Confederate Constitution explicitly characterized the powers of the central government as 'delegated,' thereby underscoring the principle of state sovereignty.
Which of the following fiscal measures was detailed in the Permanent Confederate Constitution?
Answer: Provisions for a two-thirds vote for appropriations not recommended by executive departments.
The Permanent Confederate Constitution included specific fiscal provisions, such as requiring a two-thirds vote in each house for appropriations not recommended by executive departments, and granting the president line-item veto power.
How did the elections for the Second Confederate Congress differ from earlier elections?
Answer: Issues like conscription, taxes, and the economy became central, and anti-administration sentiment increased.
Elections for the Second Confederate Congress saw a shift, with issues such as conscription and economic policies becoming prominent, and a rise in anti-administration sentiment among the electorate.
How did Virginia's representation in the Confederate Congress compare to its representation in the U.S. Congress?
Answer: Virginia had more representatives in the Confederate Congress.
Virginia held 16 representatives in the Confederate Congress, which was a higher apportionment than its representation in the U.S. Congress based on either the 1850 (13 representatives) or 1860 (11 representatives) census.
The Confederate Constitution's basis for apportionment differed from the U.S. Constitution in which key aspect?
Answer: It used the same population basis, including a three-fifths rule for slaves.
The Confederate Constitution's apportionment basis was consistent with the U.S. Constitution, counting the free population and applying the three-fifths rule to enslaved individuals for representation purposes.
What was a key difference in representation requirements between the Confederate and U.S. Congresses?
Answer: Confederate representatives did not require a majority of 1860 voters to be seated.
A significant distinction was that Confederate representatives were not required to have secured a majority of votes from the 1860 electorate in their district to be seated, unlike certain U.S. Congressional requirements.
How did the election campaigns for the First Confederate Congress differ from those for the Provisional Congress?
Answer: Newspapers announced candidates, and while local contests existed, outcomes depended more on networks than broad issues.
Election campaigns for the First Confederate Congress were characterized by newspaper announcements and local contests, with outcomes often influenced by established political networks rather than extensive public debate on broad national issues.
Albert Pike was responsible for negotiating treaties with Native American tribes to secure their military support for the Confederacy.
Answer: True
Albert Pike served as Commissioner of Indian Affairs and successfully negotiated treaties with several Native American tribes, securing their allegiance or neutrality for the Confederacy.
What role did Albert Pike play concerning Native American tribes and the Confederacy?
Answer: He served as Commissioner of Indian Affairs and negotiated treaties.
Albert Pike served as the Confederate Commissioner of Indian Affairs, negotiating treaties with various Native American tribes to secure their support or neutrality.
By the end of the Civil War, nearly all Confederate congressional districts remained under firm Confederate control.
Answer: False
By the conclusion of the Civil War, approximately 45 percent of Confederate congressional districts were under Union occupation, with only a small fraction remaining under firm Confederate control.
In the final months of the war, Congress passed a law allowing the military induction of slaves, contingent on emancipation.
Answer: True
In the waning months of the war, Congress enacted legislation permitting the military induction of slaves, with provisions for their emancipation, a measure that reflected the Confederacy's desperate need for manpower.
By the end of the Civil War, what proportion of Confederate congressional districts were occupied by Union forces?
Answer: Around 45 percent
By the conclusion of the Civil War, approximately 45 percent of Confederate congressional districts had fallen under Union occupation.
What controversial measure, including provisions for emancipation, did Congress pass in the final months of the war?
Answer: A law authorizing the military induction of slaves.
In the war's final months, Congress passed a law permitting the military induction of slaves, contingent upon their emancipation, reflecting the Confederacy's dire circumstances.
What was one of the final legislative acts of the Confederate Congress before adjourning with unfinished business?
Answer: Passing a law allowing for the military induction of slaves.
Among its final legislative actions, the Confederate Congress passed a law authorizing the military induction of slaves, a measure reflecting the desperate manpower needs of the Confederacy in its final stages.