House Divided Speech Quizzes
Think you’ve got your head wrapped around House Divided Speech? Put your knowledge to
the test. Good luck — the Stickman is counting on you!
Q. Who was president when Lincoln gave the "House Divided" speech?
Franklin Pierce
Zachary Taylor
James Buchanan
George Washington (as a zombie, obviously)
Q. What was unusual about the Republican Party around the time that Lincoln presented the "House Divided" speech at its Illinois convention?
It had grown extremely quickly after forming in 1856, becoming a major political party in only a couple of years.
Its radical abolitionist stance advocated for total equality of the races and punishment for slaveholders.
It supported secession as a means of creating a fully free nation with just the northern states.
By sheer coincidence, every member was a white brunette male between the ages of 28 and 33.
Q. What conspiracy-like idea does Lincoln present in the "House Divided" speech?
That certain political leaders are working together to bring slavery to all parts of the country.
That there were traitors in the Republican party reporting their ideas to the Democrats.
That Stephen Douglas was being paid off by plantation owners to present legislation that was pro-slavery but appeared not to be.
That Dred Scott was actually a white female, and the whole court case was a huge misunderstanding.
Q. What does Lincoln accuse Douglas of with regards to slavery?
He says Douglas used to own slaves, and therefore cannot empathize with the cause of men like Dred Scott.
He says Douglas was strongly in favor of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850, and followed it strictly.
He says Douglas has turned slavery into a question of property rights.
He claims Douglas actually has no faith in his own idea of "squatter sovereignty," but is too embarrassed to admit its failure publicly.
Q. Who does Lincoln refer to in the "House Divided" speech as "a caged and toothless" lion?
Roger B. Taney
Stephen A. Douglas
James Buchanan
John C. Reilly