Question

republicans were able to get major legislation (ex. pacific railway act, homestead act) passed during the civil war because

they held a minority in congress
they held a majority in congress
lincoln suspended habeas corpus
of the success of the battle of antietam

Explanation:

Analyze the historical context of Civil War legislation

Using the US Economic History and American Civil War knowledge points, we analyze the political landscape of the United States Congress during the Civil War. When Southern states seceded to form the Confederacy, their Democratic representatives and senators left the U.S. Congress.

Evaluate the impact of Southern secession on Congress

The departure of Southern Democrats left the Republican Party with a dominant, overwhelming majority in both houses of Congress. This political shift allowed them to pass major economic and developmental legislation without the traditional sectional opposition.

Assess the specific legislative acts

With their secure majority, Republicans passed landmark bills that had previously been blocked by Southern interests, including the Homestead Act and the Pacific Railway Act, to promote western expansion and economic development.

Answer:

• They held a minority in Congress
• They held a majority in Congress (Correct answer)
• Lincoln suspended Habeas Corpus
• of the success of the Battle of Antietam