A Level History - America - Practice Exam

What significant change occurred to the federal government as a result of the Civil War?

1. The federal government became much stronger

2. The federal government was dissolved

3. The federal government returned power to the states

4. The federal government focused solely on economic issues

The correct answer is: The federal government became much stronger

The Civil War brought about a significant shift in the balance of power between the federal government and the states. As a result of the conflict, the federal government became much stronger. This enhancement of federal authority was driven by the need to preserve the Union and enforce new constitutional amendments. The federal government took on new responsibilities, particularly in areas like civil rights and economic regulation, which had previously been largely managed at the state level. During and after the war, the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments solidified federal power by abolishing slavery, granting citizenship to former slaves, and ensuring voting rights regardless of race. The war also necessitated federal involvement in economic matters, such as wartime production and infrastructure development, due to the demands of the conflict. This reinforced the idea that the federal government had a crucial role in shaping both domestic policy and regional relationships. In contrast, choices that mention the dissolution of the federal government, the return of power to the states, or a focus solely on economic issues fail to capture the comprehensive transformation of federal authority that emerged from the Civil War. Instead, the era marked the consolidation and strengthening of federal powers, laying the foundation for future government intervention in various aspects of American life