Guides · The 1800s
The 1800s section: 10 questions, and eight of them are the Civil War
The Louisiana Purchase, the Civil War from Fort Sumter to the 15th Amendment, and the women who fought for the vote. The shortest history section, with accepted answers.
The 1800s section is the smallest history section on the 2025 test: ten questions. One is the Louisiana Purchase, one is the women's rights movement, and the other eight are the Civil War and what came out of it. If you understand why the war was fought and what it changed, you have the section.
The century opens: Louisiana
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? The Louisiana Territory, or simply Louisiana. Jefferson was president, which is why "doubled the size of the United States" is one of his accepted answers elsewhere on the test.
The Civil War, in eight questions
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s. The Civil War. Also accepted: the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Spanish-American War. Say the Civil War, because it is also the answer to the next two.
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South. The Civil War. What U.S. war ended slavery? The Civil War.
The Civil War had many important events. Name one. The Emancipation Proclamation. Also accepted: Fort Sumter, Antietam, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Sherman's March, the surrender at Appomattox, Lincoln's assassination.
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? Freed the slaves. Also accepted: freed slaves in the Confederacy, or in most Southern states.
Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one. Freed the slaves. Also accepted: saved the Union; led the country during the Civil War; 16th president; delivered the Gettysburg Address.
What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens? The 14th Amendment. This is the amendment your own citizenship will rest on, so it is worth knowing for more than the test.
When did all men get the right to vote? After the Civil War. Also accepted: during Reconstruction; with the 15th Amendment; 1870.
The women's movement
Name one leader of the women's rights movement in the 1800s. Susan B. Anthony. Also accepted: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Lucretia Mott, Lucy Stone. The vote itself came in 1920, which is asked in the next section.
The chain to memorize
Civil War, Emancipation Proclamation, slavery ends, 14th Amendment makes the freed people citizens, 15th Amendment gives the men the vote in 1870. One cause and three consequences, in order. Add Louisiana at the front and Susan B. Anthony at the back and the section is done.
Frequently asked questions
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
The Louisiana Territory.
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
Freed the slaves. Freed slaves in the Confederacy, in the Confederate states, or in most Southern states are also accepted.
When did all men get the right to vote?
After the Civil War, during Reconstruction, with the 15th Amendment, in 1870. Any of those is accepted.
Study the official questions, free
Both versions of the civics test, the answers for your state, and practice tests in the real format with the real pass line.
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