Tensions between Northern and Southern states of the USA erupted into war in 1861.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [4] 'Slave power' was a theory that slave owners in the South were conspiring to expand slavery across the whole of the United States.
2. [4] The claims were made by a writer named John Smith Dye.
3. [4] He wrote a book called The Adder's Den, or Secrets of the Great Conspiracy to Overthrow Liberty in America which made claims about slave owners.
4. [4] He said that Southern slave owners were responsible for embedding slavery in the Constitution.
5. [4] He claimed slave owners had caused financial panics to damage the Northern economy.
6. [4] He blamed slave owners for taking land away from the indigenous people.
7. [4] Dye insisted that as part of this conspiracy, Southern slave owners had secretly assassinated two presidents and attempted to kill three others.
8. [6] Violence broke out because of the issue of slavery. The disagreement was over whether Kansas should become a slave state or a free state. The Kansas-Nebraska Act said that this should be decided by popular vote in Kansas, and people on both sides of the argument moved into Kansas to gain the right to vote on the issue. Pro-slavers from Missouri flocked across the border to sway elections. In response, Northern abolitionists moved into Kansas, leading to violence between the two sides.
9. [2-3] This was because of slavery.
10. [2-3] There was disagreement over whether Kansas would allow or outlaw slavery.
11. [2-3] Border Ruffians moved into Kansas to support slavery.
12. [2-3] Abolitionists moved into Kansas to ensure it became a free state.
13. [2-3] Both sides were armed.
14. [2-3] Both sides raised their own armies.
15. [2-3] John Brown stirred up much of the trouble.
16. [1] Kansas was referred to as ‘Bloody Kansas' as there was a lot of fighting.
17. [10] Being economically more powerful than the South helped the North to wage a long war and so was a crucial factor in bringing victory. However, good leadership was necessary to make the most of the advantages that the North possessed and this was the decisive factor.
18. [4-6] The North had clear economic advantages over the South as its industry was better developed and that meant it could produce more arms and military equipment than the South. It was able to stop the South from importing weapons by setting up a naval blockade.
19. [4-6] Lincoln was very important to the victory of the North. He was a great leader and speaker, and this made sure that Northerners stayed loyal to the North and did not join the South. His election victory in 1864 showed the support he had in the war. He used all his skill to keep the border states on his side and managed to unite the North. He was also very clever in issuing the Emancipation Proclamation which ensured the support of black people in the South and gave him lots of support.
20. [2-3] The South missed military opportunities.
21. [2-3] Lee's offensive strategy caused many casualties in the South.
22. [2-3] The North was able to blockade the South and this prevented the import of weapons.
23. [2-3] The North had highly developed industrial resources.
24. [2-3] Grant's military leadership was a key strength of the North.
25. [2-3] Lincoln led his generals in a decisive way and made them obey his orders.
26. [2-3] Lincoln's vision of saving the Union united the North.
27. [2-3] The South lacked money. Its population was small and so taxes did not raise much.
28. [2-3] The North had a stronger navy.
29. [2-3] The North won because of its extensive railroad system.
30. [1] The North had many advantages over the South.