Selina Textbook Solutions: The American Civil War | History Class 8 ICSE PDF Download

 Page 1


The American Civil War 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The Civil War in the USA lasted for four years. 
2. President Lincoln was assassinated in the year 1865. 
3. The Northern states were mainly industrialised but in the South agriculture was 
the most important occupation. 
4. The Southern farmers grew cotton and tobacco. 
5. The Southern farmers needed slaves to work in their fields. 
6. The anti-slavery people were called Abolitionists. 
7. An Underground railroad was created to help the slaves to escape to Canada. 
8. The election of Abraham Lincoln as President of America made the Southern 
states to separate from the Union. 
9. In January 1863 President Lincoln abolished slavery. 
10. The (Confederacy General Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union; General U.S. 
Grant. 
II. Match the contents of Column A and Column B: 
 
Page 2


The American Civil War 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The Civil War in the USA lasted for four years. 
2. President Lincoln was assassinated in the year 1865. 
3. The Northern states were mainly industrialised but in the South agriculture was 
the most important occupation. 
4. The Southern farmers grew cotton and tobacco. 
5. The Southern farmers needed slaves to work in their fields. 
6. The anti-slavery people were called Abolitionists. 
7. An Underground railroad was created to help the slaves to escape to Canada. 
8. The election of Abraham Lincoln as President of America made the Southern 
states to separate from the Union. 
9. In January 1863 President Lincoln abolished slavery. 
10. The (Confederacy General Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union; General U.S. 
Grant. 
II. Match the contents of Column A and Column B: 
 
 
Answer: 
 
 
III.State whether the following statements are True or False: 
1. Slavery was introduced in the United States in 1619. 
False. 
2. When the Civil War broke out, the whole country practised slavery. 
False. 
3. The Northern states considered slavery a blot on the fair name of the country. 
True. 
4. Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a novel, highlighted the ugly side of slavery. 
True. 
5. The Underground Railroad was a railway that carried slaves to Canada. 
True. 
6. The question of States’ Rights was also a cause of the Civil War. 
True. 
7. The Southern states established a new nation — the Confederate States of 
America. 
True. 
8. Abraham Lincoln is remembered for abolishing slavery and saving the Union. 
True. 
Page 3


The American Civil War 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The Civil War in the USA lasted for four years. 
2. President Lincoln was assassinated in the year 1865. 
3. The Northern states were mainly industrialised but in the South agriculture was 
the most important occupation. 
4. The Southern farmers grew cotton and tobacco. 
5. The Southern farmers needed slaves to work in their fields. 
6. The anti-slavery people were called Abolitionists. 
7. An Underground railroad was created to help the slaves to escape to Canada. 
8. The election of Abraham Lincoln as President of America made the Southern 
states to separate from the Union. 
9. In January 1863 President Lincoln abolished slavery. 
10. The (Confederacy General Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union; General U.S. 
Grant. 
II. Match the contents of Column A and Column B: 
 
 
Answer: 
 
 
III.State whether the following statements are True or False: 
1. Slavery was introduced in the United States in 1619. 
False. 
2. When the Civil War broke out, the whole country practised slavery. 
False. 
3. The Northern states considered slavery a blot on the fair name of the country. 
True. 
4. Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a novel, highlighted the ugly side of slavery. 
True. 
5. The Underground Railroad was a railway that carried slaves to Canada. 
True. 
6. The question of States’ Rights was also a cause of the Civil War. 
True. 
7. The Southern states established a new nation — the Confederate States of 
America. 
True. 
8. Abraham Lincoln is remembered for abolishing slavery and saving the Union. 
True. 
IV. Answer the following questions: 
Question 1. 
Why was slavery important for the Southern States? 
Answer: 
The Southern states had large cotton and tobacco plantations. Slaves were a vital part 
of their economy. These plantations totally depended on slave labour. Without slave 
labour agriculture would suffer in the South. 
Question 2. 
Name the states which established the Confederation. 
Answer: 
Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas seceded from the union 
and established a new nation i.e., the Confederate States of America. They chose their 
own President Jefferson Davis in February 1861. 
Question 3. 
Describe Abraham Lincoln’s role in the Civil War. 
Answer: 
As soon as Abraham Lincoln was elected President of USA in 1860, Southern states 
like Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana & Texas separated from the 
union. They established the Confederate States of America. When the Confederates 
fired on Fort Sumter, President Lincoln declared blockade of Southern Ports and the 
Civil War began in 1861. The President made a proclamation for Emancipation of 
slaves. The War dragged on for four years and in the end the south surrendered. In 
January 1863, Lincoln abolished Slavery. Lincoln not only fought slavery but also fought 
for the preservation of the union. The seceding states were treated as rebels. This won 
the sympathy of foreign powers specially Great Britain. He fought a war to save the 
union and banish slavery. 
Question 4. 
Why did the North oppose slavery? 
Answer: 
The Northern states shunned slavery and considered it a blot on the name of their 
country. For one thing, unlike the Southerners they did not depend on slave labour for 
their economy. The Northern states were comparatively prosperous than the Southern 
states due to rapid industrial progress and trade. The Southern states were generally 
backward. 
Question 5. 
Describe the three main causes of the Civil War. 
Answer: 
Slavery was the main issue. The Northerners more prosperous and industrialised had 
abolished slavery. For southern states mostly agriculturists, slavery was a vital part of 
Page 4


The American Civil War 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The Civil War in the USA lasted for four years. 
2. President Lincoln was assassinated in the year 1865. 
3. The Northern states were mainly industrialised but in the South agriculture was 
the most important occupation. 
4. The Southern farmers grew cotton and tobacco. 
5. The Southern farmers needed slaves to work in their fields. 
6. The anti-slavery people were called Abolitionists. 
7. An Underground railroad was created to help the slaves to escape to Canada. 
8. The election of Abraham Lincoln as President of America made the Southern 
states to separate from the Union. 
9. In January 1863 President Lincoln abolished slavery. 
10. The (Confederacy General Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union; General U.S. 
Grant. 
II. Match the contents of Column A and Column B: 
 
 
Answer: 
 
 
III.State whether the following statements are True or False: 
1. Slavery was introduced in the United States in 1619. 
False. 
2. When the Civil War broke out, the whole country practised slavery. 
False. 
3. The Northern states considered slavery a blot on the fair name of the country. 
True. 
4. Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a novel, highlighted the ugly side of slavery. 
True. 
5. The Underground Railroad was a railway that carried slaves to Canada. 
True. 
6. The question of States’ Rights was also a cause of the Civil War. 
True. 
7. The Southern states established a new nation — the Confederate States of 
America. 
True. 
8. Abraham Lincoln is remembered for abolishing slavery and saving the Union. 
True. 
IV. Answer the following questions: 
Question 1. 
Why was slavery important for the Southern States? 
Answer: 
The Southern states had large cotton and tobacco plantations. Slaves were a vital part 
of their economy. These plantations totally depended on slave labour. Without slave 
labour agriculture would suffer in the South. 
Question 2. 
Name the states which established the Confederation. 
Answer: 
Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas seceded from the union 
and established a new nation i.e., the Confederate States of America. They chose their 
own President Jefferson Davis in February 1861. 
Question 3. 
Describe Abraham Lincoln’s role in the Civil War. 
Answer: 
As soon as Abraham Lincoln was elected President of USA in 1860, Southern states 
like Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana & Texas separated from the 
union. They established the Confederate States of America. When the Confederates 
fired on Fort Sumter, President Lincoln declared blockade of Southern Ports and the 
Civil War began in 1861. The President made a proclamation for Emancipation of 
slaves. The War dragged on for four years and in the end the south surrendered. In 
January 1863, Lincoln abolished Slavery. Lincoln not only fought slavery but also fought 
for the preservation of the union. The seceding states were treated as rebels. This won 
the sympathy of foreign powers specially Great Britain. He fought a war to save the 
union and banish slavery. 
Question 4. 
Why did the North oppose slavery? 
Answer: 
The Northern states shunned slavery and considered it a blot on the name of their 
country. For one thing, unlike the Southerners they did not depend on slave labour for 
their economy. The Northern states were comparatively prosperous than the Southern 
states due to rapid industrial progress and trade. The Southern states were generally 
backward. 
Question 5. 
Describe the three main causes of the Civil War. 
Answer: 
Slavery was the main issue. The Northerners more prosperous and industrialised had 
abolished slavery. For southern states mostly agriculturists, slavery was a vital part of 
their economy. Anti slavery movements in the North made relations worse between 
North and South.The Southern states wanted no interference by the Federal 
Government in their state affairs. Lincoln’s election as President in November 1860 and 
Southern states seceding from the Union led to Civil War in 1861. 
Question 6. 
What were the main results of the Civil War? 
Answer: 
Nearly all the fighting had taken place on the Southern soil, so they suffered heavy 
damages. There was a period of reconstruction and it took a few decades for the 
Southern states to recover from the wounds of the Civil War. Slavery was abolished 
from the United States. The problem of secession also ended and the Federal 
Government became the Supreme Authority in the United States. The Civil War 
speeded up the economic revolution of the country on an unprecedented scale. 
V. Picture Study: 
 
Question 1. 
Identify and name the personality. 
Answer: 
President Abraham Lincoln. 
Question 2. 
Why is he considered one of the greatest presidents of USA? 
Answer: 
He was a great statesman. He was a great orator. His Gettysburg speech is one of the 
most quoted speeches in the world. His proclamation of Emancipation prevented foreign 
nations from helping the southern states. He ended slavery in USA and saved the union 
from breaking up. He served the nation with dedication and devotion. 
 
Page 5


The American Civil War 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. The Civil War in the USA lasted for four years. 
2. President Lincoln was assassinated in the year 1865. 
3. The Northern states were mainly industrialised but in the South agriculture was 
the most important occupation. 
4. The Southern farmers grew cotton and tobacco. 
5. The Southern farmers needed slaves to work in their fields. 
6. The anti-slavery people were called Abolitionists. 
7. An Underground railroad was created to help the slaves to escape to Canada. 
8. The election of Abraham Lincoln as President of America made the Southern 
states to separate from the Union. 
9. In January 1863 President Lincoln abolished slavery. 
10. The (Confederacy General Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union; General U.S. 
Grant. 
II. Match the contents of Column A and Column B: 
 
 
Answer: 
 
 
III.State whether the following statements are True or False: 
1. Slavery was introduced in the United States in 1619. 
False. 
2. When the Civil War broke out, the whole country practised slavery. 
False. 
3. The Northern states considered slavery a blot on the fair name of the country. 
True. 
4. Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a novel, highlighted the ugly side of slavery. 
True. 
5. The Underground Railroad was a railway that carried slaves to Canada. 
True. 
6. The question of States’ Rights was also a cause of the Civil War. 
True. 
7. The Southern states established a new nation — the Confederate States of 
America. 
True. 
8. Abraham Lincoln is remembered for abolishing slavery and saving the Union. 
True. 
IV. Answer the following questions: 
Question 1. 
Why was slavery important for the Southern States? 
Answer: 
The Southern states had large cotton and tobacco plantations. Slaves were a vital part 
of their economy. These plantations totally depended on slave labour. Without slave 
labour agriculture would suffer in the South. 
Question 2. 
Name the states which established the Confederation. 
Answer: 
Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas seceded from the union 
and established a new nation i.e., the Confederate States of America. They chose their 
own President Jefferson Davis in February 1861. 
Question 3. 
Describe Abraham Lincoln’s role in the Civil War. 
Answer: 
As soon as Abraham Lincoln was elected President of USA in 1860, Southern states 
like Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana & Texas separated from the 
union. They established the Confederate States of America. When the Confederates 
fired on Fort Sumter, President Lincoln declared blockade of Southern Ports and the 
Civil War began in 1861. The President made a proclamation for Emancipation of 
slaves. The War dragged on for four years and in the end the south surrendered. In 
January 1863, Lincoln abolished Slavery. Lincoln not only fought slavery but also fought 
for the preservation of the union. The seceding states were treated as rebels. This won 
the sympathy of foreign powers specially Great Britain. He fought a war to save the 
union and banish slavery. 
Question 4. 
Why did the North oppose slavery? 
Answer: 
The Northern states shunned slavery and considered it a blot on the name of their 
country. For one thing, unlike the Southerners they did not depend on slave labour for 
their economy. The Northern states were comparatively prosperous than the Southern 
states due to rapid industrial progress and trade. The Southern states were generally 
backward. 
Question 5. 
Describe the three main causes of the Civil War. 
Answer: 
Slavery was the main issue. The Northerners more prosperous and industrialised had 
abolished slavery. For southern states mostly agriculturists, slavery was a vital part of 
their economy. Anti slavery movements in the North made relations worse between 
North and South.The Southern states wanted no interference by the Federal 
Government in their state affairs. Lincoln’s election as President in November 1860 and 
Southern states seceding from the Union led to Civil War in 1861. 
Question 6. 
What were the main results of the Civil War? 
Answer: 
Nearly all the fighting had taken place on the Southern soil, so they suffered heavy 
damages. There was a period of reconstruction and it took a few decades for the 
Southern states to recover from the wounds of the Civil War. Slavery was abolished 
from the United States. The problem of secession also ended and the Federal 
Government became the Supreme Authority in the United States. The Civil War 
speeded up the economic revolution of the country on an unprecedented scale. 
V. Picture Study: 
 
Question 1. 
Identify and name the personality. 
Answer: 
President Abraham Lincoln. 
Question 2. 
Why is he considered one of the greatest presidents of USA? 
Answer: 
He was a great statesman. He was a great orator. His Gettysburg speech is one of the 
most quoted speeches in the world. His proclamation of Emancipation prevented foreign 
nations from helping the southern states. He ended slavery in USA and saved the union 
from breaking up. He served the nation with dedication and devotion. 
 
Question 3. 
Write a short note about his childhood. 
Answer: 
Abraham Lincoln was bom in 1809 in a log cabin in Kentucky. He lived a life of hardship 
doing manual work. He served in Illinois Legislature from 1834 for eight years. He 
retired from politics for some time and worked as a sucessfiil lawyer in Illinois. He re-
entered politics in 1858 and contested foi the senate. He lost to Stephen A Douglas. 
Question 4. 
Do you agree with the definition of democracy as given by him? 
Answer: 
Slavery was abolished from the United States. The problem of secession also ended 
and the Federal Government became the Supreme Authority in the United States. The 
Civil War speeded up the economic revolution of the country on an unprecedented 
scale. 
Additional Questions 
A. Fill in the blanks: 
1. In the first half of the 19th century the only available source of labour in the United 
States of America was slaves. 
2. The issue of slavery posed a serious threat to the integrity of the American nation. 
3. The famous book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. 
4. Abraham Lincoln, who became the president of the United States of America 
in 1860 was determined to save the slaves at all costs. 
5. The American Civil War was fought on the issue of secession 
B. Match the Following