- 1. In 'Crisis of the House Divided', Harry V. Jaffa presents a profound examination of the constitutional and moral crises that gripped the United States in the lead-up to the Civil War, focusing particularly on the issues surrounding slavery and the principles of equality enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. Jaffa's work delves into the historical context of the era, highlighting the philosophical underpinnings of the American political system and the irrepressible conflict between the ideals of liberty and the stark realities of human bondage. By analyzing the debates and actions of prominent figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, and others, Jaffa articulates a compelling argument about the inevitable clash between the nation’s founding ideals and the existence of slavery, which he sees as a fundamental contradiction at the heart of American democracy. He emphasizes Lincoln's assertion that the nation could not endure half slave and half free, interpreting this as a moral and political call to action that would ultimately lead to a reckoning with the nation's foundational principles. Throughout the book, Jaffa also explores the concept of a 'house divided,' reflecting on the broader implications for national unity and the moral responsibilities of citizens in the face of injustice. His eloquent prose and rigorous analysis make this work a significant contribution to the study of American political thought, encouraging readers to reflect on the legacy of the past while questioning the ongoing struggles for equity and justice in contemporary society.
Who are the two main figures whose debates Jaffa analyzes?
A) John C. Calhoun and Daniel Webster
B) Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas
C) Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton
D) Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay
- 2. What famous political metaphor does the book's title reference?
A) A house divided against itself cannot stand.
B) The shot heard round the world.
C) The New Frontier.
D) The iron curtain.
- 3. Jaffa argues that Lincoln's political thought was rooted in what founding document?
A) The Articles of Confederation
B) The Bill of Rights
C) The Federalist Papers
D) The Declaration of Independence
- 4. What principle did Stephen Douglas advocate regarding slavery in the territories?
A) Federal Slave Codes
B) Popular Sovereignty
C) Immediate Abolition
D) Gradual Compensated Emancipation
- 5. Jaffa presents Lincoln as defending a concept of natural law based on what?
A) The economic laws of supply and demand.
B) The divine right of kings.
C) The legal precedent of English common law.
D) The proposition that all men are created equal.
- 6. What 1854 act reignited the national debate over slavery, a key context for Jaffa's book?
A) The Wilmot Proviso
B) The Missouri Compromise
C) The Kansas-Nebraska Act
D) The Fugitive Slave Act
- 7. According to Jaffa, what did Lincoln believe was the ultimate threat of the Dred Scott decision?
A) It prevented new states from entering the Union.
B) It gave too much power to the judicial branch.
C) It nationalized slavery, making it legal everywhere.
D) It unfairly taxed Northern manufacturers.
- 8. For Jaffa, the 'crisis' was not just political but also what?
A) A moral and philosophical crisis.
B) A purely economic crisis.
C) A crisis of international diplomacy.
D) A military crisis over fortifications.
- 9. In Jaffa's analysis, how did Lincoln view the Constitution in relation to the Declaration?
A) As a rejection of the Declaration's principles.
B) As a fulfillment of the Declaration's principles.
C) As a temporary replacement for the Declaration.
D) As a document completely separate from the Declaration.
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