AQA A Level History Depth Study: America: A Nation Divided, c1845-1877 June 2024 question paper 7042/2J

With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying Lincoln’s leadership during the Civil War.

‘In the years 1850 to 1854, the growth of abolitionist sentiment in the Northern States was the main cause of division between North and South.’

Assess the validity of this view.

To what extent was Republican victory in the 1860 election the result of the weaknesses of the Democratic Party?

‘There was no significant improvement to the lives of African-Americans in the years 1867 to 1877.’

Assess the validity of this view.