Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

—Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address

This passage from Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address best represents his —

A. strong goal focus
Incorrect. This moving passage from the Second Inaugural Address best represents Lincoln’s eloquence.

B. recognition of talent
Incorrect. This moving passage from the Second Inaugural Address best represents Lincoln’s eloquence.

C. eloquence
Correct! This moving passage from the Second Inaugural Address best represents Lincoln’s eloquence.

D. All of the above
Incorrect. This moving passage from the Second Inaugural Address best represents Lincoln’s eloquence alone and not the other two characteristics.

Which of these quotes is most similar to U.S. Grant’s willingness to do anything to win the war?

A. “You cannot qualify war in harsher terms than I will. War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it… I know I had no hand in making this war, and I know I will make more sacrifices to-day than any of you to secure peace.”—William Tecumseh Sherman
Correct! The harshness of Sherman’s words on the cruelty of war matches Grant’s own willingness to endure sacrifices for victory.

B. “Sanctified by justice and sustained by a virtuous people… let us look hopefully forward to success, to peace, and to prosperity.”—Jefferson Davis
Incorrect. This concluding passage does not contain the fierceness of Grant’s determination to win the war. Sherman’s passage on the cruelty of war matches Grant’s own mindset.

C. “If the Cotton States shall become satisfied that they can do better out of the Union than in it, we insist on letting them go in peace.” –Horace Greeley
Incorrect. This passage calls for the South to be allowed to leave in peace, something Grant never would have allowed. Sherman’s passage on the cruelty of war matches Grant’s own mindset

D. “Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us...dare to do our duty as we understand it.”—Abraham Lincoln
Incorrect. While Lincoln had Grant’s determination, this passage does not contain the fierceness of Grant’s willingness to do anything in combat to win like Sherman’s passage.

"Boys, I have done the best I could for you. Go home now. And if you make as good citizens as you have soldiers, you will do well. I shall always be proud of you. Goodbye. And God bless you all." – Robert E. Lee

"The rebels are our countrymen again." – U.S. Grant

These two passages best demonstrate —

A. the fierceness with which Grant and Lee fought each other
Incorrect. These two passages represent the grace and graciousness with which Grant and Lee handled the surrender at Appomattox.

B. how consistently Lee used his daring to outwit the Union command
Incorrect. These two passages represent the grace and graciousness with which Grant and Lee handled the surrender at Appomattox.

C. the bitterness with which the North and South would regard each other for years to come
Incorrect. These two passages represent the grace and graciousness with which Grant and Lee handled the surrender at Appomattox.

D. the grace and graciousness both Grant and Lee showed at Appomattox, enabling the country to start to heal
Correct! These two passages represent the grace and graciousness with which Grant and Lee handled the surrender at Appomattox.

In this sense, ______________ can be considered one of the foremost hedgehogs in American history. More than any of his Civil War contemporaries he pursued policies that were governed by a central vision. . .the preservation of the United States and its constitutional government.

– James McPherson (1991), _____________________ and the Second American Revolution, New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 114-115

What Civil War leader fills in the blank of the above excerpt (and in the title) of an essay by historian James McPherson?

A. Jefferson Davis
Incorrect. This passage show’s Lincoln’s extraordinary goal-focus on preserving the Union. Davis was the President of the Confederacy.

B. William Seward
Incorrect. While Seward served in Lincoln’s Cabinet, he did not have the same central vision of Lincoln.

C. U.S. Grant
Incorrect. While Grant brought a fierceness to his battle, this passage describes the political leadership and central vision of Lincoln.

D. Abraham Lincoln
Correct! This passage shows Lincoln’s determination and goal focus.