Hello, America!

US History I Students,

In an episode of The Simpsons, an Indian immigrant takes his citizenship test.  The last question he is asked is about the cause of the Civil War.  Here’s what was said:

Exam Proctor: All right, here's your last question: What was the cause of the
Civil War?
Apu: Actually, there were numerous causes. Aside from the obvious schism
between abolitionists and anti-abolitionists, economic factors, both
domestic and international, played a significant...
Exam Proctor: Hey, Mate.
Apu: Yeah.
Exam Proctor: Just say slavery.
Apu: Slavery it is, sir.  Yes, I am a citizen!

What do you think?  Was the Civil War only over slavery, like the proctor said, or was there a something else, like Apu was saying?  Post your thoughts about who you think is right and why.  Feel free to comment on other students’ comments, as well.

Who was Sentaor McCarthy and how did he affect the whole country with his accusations?  Read all about him in this How Stuff Works article (use the “next page” button to scroll through the article) and answer one or more of these questions for extra credit:

1. Who was Senator McCarthy?  What was his background?
2. Before McCarthy began giving speeches about how bad communism was, what three events took place to make Americans fearful of a communist take-over.
3. Who were Julius and Ethel Rosenburg, and what happened to them (and why)?
4. What was a lasting effect that McCarthyism had on America?
5. How and why did McCarthyism finally end?