AP®HistoryCollege BoardUS HistoryExam QuestionsPeriod 4: 1800-1848The Society of the South in the Early Republic

The Society of the South in the Early Republic (College Board AP® US History): Exam Questions

3 mins3 questions
11 mark

“And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem, and Canaan shall be his servant.”

Genesis IX, 18-27, King James Bible 

The excerpt was most directly used in the 19th century to support which of the following? 

  • The argument that slavery was divinely sanctioned 

  • The claim that all men were equal in the eyes of God

  • The belief that slavery was a temporary institution

  • The idea that economic factors alone dictated the need for slavery

Choose your answer

21 mark

“And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem, and Canaan shall be his servant.”

Genesis IX, 18-27, King James Bible 

Which of the following would have been most likely to use the excerpt to support their views?

  • James Henry Hammond 

  • John C. Calhoun

  • George Fitzhugh

  • William Lloyd Garrison 

Choose your answer

31 mark

“And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem, and Canaan shall be his servant.”

Genesis IX, 18-27, King James Bible 

The extract does not support which nineteenth century economic theory? 

  • “Necessity of slavery” theory  

  • “King Cotton” economic model

  • “Mudsill theory”

  • “Free labor” ideology

Choose your answer