Quiz for American Voices: A Debate over Catholic Immigration

Question

1. According to Lyman Beecher, the influx of Catholics into the United States was dangerous for which of the following reasons?

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B.
C.
D.
Correct. The answer is b. Beecher suggested that Catholics were beholden not only to their local priests, but to European bishops and the pope, who were “opposed to the principles of our government.” He expected that, by obeying Church officials, American Catholics could bring despotism to the United States.
Incorrect. The answer is b. Beecher suggested that Catholics were beholden not only to their local priests, but to European bishops and the pope, who were “opposed to the principles of our government.” He expected that, by obeying Church officials, American Catholics could bring despotism to the United States.

Question

2. What argument did Beecher make about why Protestant clergymen posed no threat to the American republic?

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B.
C.
D.
Correct. The answer is a. Beecher argued that, because they were “chosen by the people who have been educated as freemen, and they are dependent on them for patronage and support,” the Protestant clergy were “congenial with liberty,” and thus not a threat to the American republic.
Incorrect. The answer is a. Beecher argued that, because they were “chosen by the people who have been educated as freemen, and they are dependent on them for patronage and support,” the Protestant clergy were “congenial with liberty,” and thus not a threat to the American republic.

Question

3. According to Orestes Brownson, Catholicism was a superior religion to Protestantism because it

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B.
C.
D.
Correct. The answer is c. Brownson argued that while Protestantism allowed its followers to go in every direction, Catholicism encouraged orderly and virtuous people who could lead a popular government in the right direction.
Incorrect. The answer is c. Brownson argued that while Protestantism allowed its followers to go in every direction, Catholicism encouraged orderly and virtuous people who could lead a popular government in the right direction.

Question

4. Protestants who led organizations that made up the Benevolent Empire would most likely have agreed with which of the following statements made by Brownson?

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B.
C.
D.
Correct. The answer is c. Protestants who led organizations that made up the Benevolent Empire in the United States in the nineteenth century would have agreed that people were fallible and that their passions and interests frequently led them astray into activities such as intemperance, sexual licentiousness, and many other sinful behaviors. Brownson and Protestants would have agreed that people needed religion to keep their morals and behavior in check.
Incorrect. The answer is c. Protestants who led organizations that made up the Benevolent Empire in the United States in the nineteenth century would have agreed that people were fallible and that their passions and interests frequently led them astray into activities such as intemperance, sexual licentiousness, and many other sinful behaviors. Brownson and Protestants would have agreed that people needed religion to keep their morals and behavior in check.