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 ONLINE PREP COURSE ONLINE PREP COURSE
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 ™
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 ™
ELITE STUDENT
EDITION

5 STEPS TO A

AP U.S. History
2024
Daniel P. Murphy
Emily Lewellen

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 CONTENTS

Preface  xiii
Introduction: 5-Step Program   xiv

STEP 1 Set Up Your Study Program

1 What You Need to Know About the AP U.S. History Exam 3
Advanced Placement Program 3
AP U.S. History Exam 5
Taking the AP U.S. History Exam 6
2 Preparing for the AP U.S. History Exam 8
Getting Started 8
Three Plans for Test Preparation 10

STEP 2 Determine Your Test Readiness

3 Take a Diagnostic Exam 17
How to Use the Diagnostic Exam 17
When to Use the Diagnostic Exam 18
Conclusion (After the Exam) 18
AP U.S. History Diagnostic Exam 19
Answers to the Diagnostic Exam 39

STEP 3 Develop Strategies for Success

4 Mastering Skills and Understanding Themes for the Exam 59
The AP U.S. History Exam 59
Reasoning Skills, Historical Analytical Skills, Historical Themes,
and Exam Questions 60
5 Strategies for Approaching Each Question Type 64
Multiple-Choice Questions 65
Short-Answer Questions 67
Document-Based Question (DBQ) 68
Long Essay Question 70
Using Primary Source Documents 72

STEP 4 Review the Knowledge You Need to Score High

6 Settling of the Western Hemisphere (1491–1607) 77
Native America 77
The Europeans Arrive 78
Chapter Review 80
Review Questions 81
Answers and Explanations 83
7 Colonial America (1607–1650) 84
New France 84
English Interest in America 85
Effects of European Settlement 88
Chapter Review 88
Review Questions 89
Answers and Explanations 90

❮ v

00_AP US History 2024_Elite.indd 5 5/15/23 11:20 AM

 vi ❯ Contents

8 British Empire in America: Growth and Conflict (1650–1750) 91

Part of an Empire 92
Interactions Between Native Americans and Europeans 93
Growth of Slavery 93
Political Unrest in the Colonies 94
Salem Witch Trials 94
Imperial Wars 95
American Self-Government 95
Salutary Neglect 96
First Great American Religious Revival 96
Chapter Review 97
Review Questions 97
Answers and Explanations 99
9 Resistance, Rebellion, and Revolution (1750–1775) 100
War in the West 101
Defeat of New France 101
The British Need Money 102
Stamp Act Crisis 102
Townshend Acts 103
Boston Massacre 104
Boston Tea Party 105
Intolerable Acts 105
First Continental Congress 106
Chapter Review 106
Review Questions 107
Answers and Explanations 108
10 American Revolution and the New Nation (1775–1787) 110
Lexington and Concord 111
Second Continental Congress 111
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense 112
Declaration of Independence 112
Reactions to Independence 113
Balance of Forces 114
The War in the North 114
The Saratoga Campaign 115
The War in the South 115
The Treaty of Paris 116
New State Constitutions and the Articles of Confederation 116
Financial Problems 117
Northwest Ordinances 117
Shays’ Rebellion 118
Chapter Review 118
Review Questions 119
Answers and Explanations 120
11 Establishment of New Political Systems (1787–1800) 122
The Constitutional Convention 123
The Ratification Battle 124
The Bill of Rights 125
The Birth of the Party System 125
Hamilton’s Economic Program 126
Effects of the French Revolution 126
Washington’s Foreign Policy 127
The Presidency of John Adams 127
Chapter Review 128
Review Questions 129
Answers and Explanations 131

00_AP US History 2024_Elite.indd 6 5/15/23 11:20 AM

 Contents ❮ vii

12 Jeffersonian Revolution (1800–1820) 133

Election of 1800 134
An Assertive Supreme Court 135
A New Frontier 135
The Louisiana Purchase 136
Burr’s Conspiracy 136
Renewal of War in Europe 137
The War of 1812 138
The End of the War 138
A Federalist Debacle and the Era of Good Feelings 139
Henry Clay and the American System 139
Missouri Compromise 139
Chapter Review 140
Review Questions 141
Answers and Explanations 142
13 Rise of Manufacturing and the Age of Jackson (1820–1845) 144
The Rise of Manufacturing 145
The Monroe Doctrine 146
Native American Removal 146
The Transportation Revolution and Religious Revival 147
An Age of Reform 147
Jacksonian Democracy 148
The Nullification Controversy 149
The Bank War 150
The Whig Party and the Second Party System 150
Chapter Review 151
Review Questions 152
Answers and Explanations 154
14 Union Expanded and Challenged (1835–1860) 155
The Society of the South 156
Manifest Destiny 157
The Alamo and Texas Independence 157
Expansion and the Election of 1844 158
The Mexican War 158
Political Consequences of the Mexican War 159
The Political Crisis of 1850 160
Aftermath of the Compromise of 1850 160
Franklin Pierce in the White House 161
The Kansas-Nebraska Act 161
“Bleeding Kansas” 162
The Dred Scott Decision 162
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates 162
John Brown and Harpers Ferry 163
The Election of 1860 163
Chapter Review 164
Review Questions 165
Answers and Explanations 166
15 Union Divided: The Civil War (1861–1865) 168
North and South on the Brink of War 169
Searching for Compromise 169
Gunfire at Fort Sumter 170
Opening Strategies 170
The Loss of Illusions 171
Union Victories in the West 171
The Home Fronts 172

00_AP US History 2024_Elite.indd 7 5/15/23 11:20 AM

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 viii ❯ Contents

The Emancipation Proclamation 173

The Turn of the Tide 173
War Weariness 174
The End of the War 174
Chapter Review 175
Review Questions 176
Answers and Explanations 177
16 Era of Reconstruction (1865–1877) 179
Lincoln and Reconstruction 180
Andrew Johnson and Reconstruction 181
Efforts to Help the Freedmen 181
Radical Reconstruction 182
The Impeachment of Andrew Johnson 182
Final Phase of Radical Reconstruction 183
The End of Reconstruction 183
Chapter Review 184
Review Questions 186
Answers and Explanations 187
17 Western Expansion and Its Impact on
the American Character (1860–1895) 189
Government Encouragement of Western Settlement 190
Challenges for Western Farmers 191
Agricultural Innovation 191
Women and Minorities on the Agricultural Frontier 192
The Mining and Lumbering Frontier 192
The Ranching Frontier 193
The End of Native American Independence 193
Agrarian Anger and Populism 194
The Gold Standard 194
The Grange and Farmers’ Alliances 195
The Populist Revolt 195
Populism and the Election of 1896 196
The Idea of the West 196
Chapter Review 197
Review Questions 198
Answers and Explanations 200
18 America Transformed into the Industrial Giant
of the World (1870–1910) 202
An Industrial Revolution 203
Changes in American Industry 204
A Changing Workplace 204
Big Business 205
The Emergence of Labor Unions 206
Uneven Affluence 207
The New Immigration 208
The Rise of the Modern American City 209
Gilded Age Politics 210
Social Criticism in the Gilded Age 212
Chapter Review 212
Review Questions 214
Answers and Explanations 215
19 Rise of American Imperialism (1890–1913) 217
Postwar Diplomacy 218
Acquiring Hawaii 219
The New Imperialism 219

00_AP US History 2024_Elite.indd 8 5/15/23 11:20 AM

 Contents ❮ ix

The Spanish-American War 220

Combat in the Philippines and Cuba 221
The Cuban Conundrum 221
The Debate over Empire 222
The Panama Canal 223
The Roosevelt Corollary 223
Chapter Review 224
Review Questions 225
Answers and Explanations 227
20 Progressive Era (1895–1914) 229
Roots of Progressivism 230
Progressive Objectives 231
Urban Progressivism 231
State-Level Progressivism 232
Progressivism and Women 232
Workplace Reform 233
Theodore Roosevelt’s Square Deal 233
Taft and Progressivism 234
The Election of 1912 235
Wilson and Progressivism 236
Assessing Progressivism 236
Chapter Review 237
Review Questions 238
Answers and Explanations 240
21 United States and World War I (1914–1921) 241
War and American Neutrality 242
Growing Ties to the Allies 243
The Breakdown of German-American Relations 244
America in the War 244
The American Expeditionary Force in France 245
The Home Front 245
Regulating Thought 246
Social Change 247
Wilson and the Peace 247
Woodrow Wilson’s Defeat 248
Chapter Review 249
Review Questions 250
Answers and Explanations 252
22 Beginning of Modern America: The 1920s 254
The Prosperous Twenties 255
The Republican “New Era” 256
Warren G. Harding as President 256
President Calvin Coolidge 258
The Election of 1928 258
The City Versus the Country in the 1920s 259
Popular Culture in the 1920s 262
Jazz Age Experimentation and Rebellion 262
The Growth of the Mass Media 263
A Lost Generation? 263
Chapter Review 264
Review Questions 266
Answers and Explanations 267
23 Great Depression and the New Deal (1929–1939) 269
Harbingers of Crisis: Economic Weaknesses of the 1920s 271
Black Tuesday and the End of the Bull Market 272

00_AP US History 2024_Elite.indd 9 5/15/23 11:20 AM

 x ❯ Contents

The Stock Market Crash and the Great Depression 272

The Great Depression and American Society 273
President Hoover and the Depression 274
The Election of 1932 275
The Hundred Days 276
The Second New Deal 277
The Election of 1936 278
Critics of the New Deal 279
Twilight of the New Deal 280
Impact of the New Deal 281
American Culture During the New Deal 282
Chapter Review 282
Review Questions 284
Answers and Explanations 285
24 World War II (1933–1945) 287
American Isolationism in the 1930s 288
The United States, the Middle East, and Anti-Semitism 289
The Election of 1940 and the End of Isolationism 290
The Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor 291
The War Against Germany 292
The Middle East in World War II 293
The War Against Japan 294
The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb 295
The Home Front 295
Civil Rights During the War 296
Chapter Review 297
Review Questions 298
Answers and Explanations 300
25 Origins of the Cold War (1945–1960) 302
The Beginnings of the Cold War 304
Europe and the Cold War 304
Communist Victories 306
The Middle East and the Cold War 306
The Cold War at Home 308
The Korean War 309
Joseph McCarthy and McCarthyism 310
President Eisenhower and the Cold War 311
Tensions with the Soviet Union 312
Chapter Review 313
Review Questions 314
Answers and Explanations 316
26 Prosperity and Anxiety: The 1950s 318
The Return of Prosperity 319
Politics in the Postwar Era 320
The Rise of the Civil Rights Movement 321
Life in Suburbia 322
Chapter Review 324
Review Questions 325
Answers and Explanations 326
27 America in an Era of Turmoil (1960–1975) 328
The 1960 Election 329
The Liberal Hour of the 1960s 330
The Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s: From Integration to Black Power 331
The Expansion of Rights Movements 333

00_AP US History 2024_Elite.indd 10 5/15/23 11:20 AM

 Contents ❮ xi

Cold War Crisis 334

The Vietnam War 335
Chapter Review 338
Review Questions 339
Answers and Explanations 341
28 Decline and Rebirth (1968–1988) 343
The Presidency of Richard Nixon 344
The Ford Administration 347
The Carter Administration 348
The Election of 1980 349
The Reagan Administration 350
Chapter Review 352
Review Questions 353
Answers and Explanations 355
29 Prosperity and a New World Order (1988–2000) 357
The Election of 1988 358
The Presidency of George H. W. Bush 358
The Election of 1992 359
The Presidency of Bill Clinton 360
The Election of 2000 362
Chapter Review 362
Review Questions 363
Answers and Explanations 365
30 Threat of Terrorism, Increase of Presidential Power,
and Economic Crisis (2001–2016) 367
The Presidency of George W. Bush 368
The Obama Presidency 371
President Obama’s Second Term 372
The Election of 2016 374
Chapter Review 375
Review Questions 377
Answers and Explanations 379
31 Tumultuous Years: The Trump and Biden Presidencies (2017–2022) 381
Domestic Affairs 382
Foreign Policy 384
Biden: Domestic Affairs 388
Biden: Foreign Policy 389
Chapter Review 390
Review Questions 392
Answers and Explanations 393

STEP 5 Build Your Test-Taking Confidence

AP U.S. History Practice Exam 1 399
Answers to Practice Exam 1 416
AP U.S. History Practice Exam 2 437
Answers to Practice Exam 2 455

ELITE 5 Minutes to a 5
STUDENT 180 Daily Questions and Activities 477
EDITION
Glossary  715
Bibliography  747
Websites  749

00_AP US History 2024_Elite.indd 11 5/15/23 11:20 AM

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Exploring the Variety of Random
Documents with Different Content
Somebody suggested the possibility that peasants or franctireurs
might fire at the King. “Certainly,” added the Chief, “and what makes
it so important a point is that the personage in question, if he is ill or
wounded or otherwise out of sorts, has only to say ‘Go back!’ and we
must all of us go back.”
We left Commercy next day at noon, passing several military
detachments and a number of encampments on our way. The
measures of precaution mentioned by the Chief had been adopted.
We were preceded by a squadron of uhlans and escorted by the
Stabswache, which formed a bright picture of many colours, being
recruited from the various cavalry regiments, such as green, red, and
blue hussars, Saxon and Prussian dragoons, &c. The carriages of
the Chancellor’s party followed close behind those of the King’s. For
a long time we did not come across any villages. Then we passed
through St. Aubin, and soon after came to a milestone by the
roadside with the words “Paris 241 kilometres,” so that we were only
a distance of some thirty-two German miles from Babel. We
afterwards passed a long line of transport carts belonging to the
regiments of King John of Saxony, the Grand Duke of Hesse, &c.,
which showed that we were now in the district occupied by the
Crown Prince’s army.
Shortly afterwards we entered the small town of Ligny, which was
thronged with Bavarian and other soldiers. We waited for about
three-quarters of an hour in the market-place, which was crowded
with all sorts of conveyances, while the Chief paid a visit to the
Crown Prince. On our starting once more we met further masses of
blue Bavarian infantry, some light horse collected round their camp
fires, then a second squadron with a herd of cattle guarded by
soldiers, and finally a third larger encampment within a circle of
baggage waggons.
Bar le Duc, the largest town in which we have stayed up to the
present, may have a population of some 15,000. The streets and
squares presented a lively picture as we drove through, and we
caught glimpses of curious female faces watching us through the
blinds. On the arrival of the King the Bavarian band played “Heil dir
im Siegerkranz.” He took up his quarters in the house occupied by
the local branch of the Bank of France, in the Rue de la Banque. The
Chancellor and his party lodged on the other side of the street, in the
house of a M. Pernay, who had gone off leaving an old woman in
charge.
Dr. Lauer, the King’s physician, dined with the Minister that
evening. The Chief was very communicative as usual, and appeared
to be in particularly good humour. He renewed his complaints as to
the “short commons” at the royal table, evidently intending the doctor
to repeat them to Count Puckler or Perponcher. During his visit at
Ligny he had to take breakfast, which he said was excellent, with the
Crown Prince and the Princes and chief officers of his suite. He had
a seat near the fire, however, which was not quite to his taste, and
otherwise it was in many ways less comfortable than in his own
quarters. “There were too many Princes there for an ordinary mortal
to be able to find a place. Amongst them was Frederick the Gentle
(Friedrich der Sachte—Frederick VIII. of Schleswig-Holstein). He
wore a Bavarian uniform, so that I hardly knew him at first. He looked
somewhat embarrassed when he recognised me.” We also gathered
from what the Chief said that Count Hatzfeldt was to act as a kind of
Prefect while we remained here, a position for which probably his
thorough knowledge of French and of the habits of the country had
recommended him. We also heard that the headquarters might
remain here for several days,—“as at Capua,” added the Count,
laughing.
Before tea some articles were despatched to Germany, including
one on the part played by the Saxons at Gravelotte, which the
Chancellor praised repeatedly.
By way of change I will here again quote from my diary:—
 Thursday, August 25th.—Took a walk early this morning in the
upper, and evidently the older, part of the town. The shops are
almost all open. The people answer politely when we ask to be
shown the way. Not far from our quarters there is an old stone bridge
over the river which was unquestionably built before Lorraine and the
Duchy of Bar belonged to France. Towards 9 o’clock the Bavarians
began their march through the town, passing in front of the King’s
quarters. More French spectators had collected on both sides of the
street than was quite comfortable for us. For hours together light
horse with green uniforms and red facings, dark blue cuirassiers,
lancers, artillery and infantry, regiment after regiment marched
before the Commander-in-Chief of the German forces. As they
passed the King the troops cheered lustily, the cavalry swinging their
sabres, and the foot soldiers lifting up their right hands. The colours
were lowered before the Sovereign, the cavalry trumpets blew an
ear-splitting fanfare, while the infantry bands played stirring airs, one
of them giving the beautiful Hohenfriedberg march. First came
General von Hartmann’s Army Corps, followed by that of Von der
Tann, who afterwards took breakfast with us. Who could have
thought, immediately after the war of 1866, or even three months
ago, of the possibility of such a scene?
Wrote several articles for post and others for the wire. Our people
are pressing forward rapidly. The vanguards of the German columns
are already between Châlons and Epernay. The formation of three
reserve armies in Germany, which has been already mentioned,
began a few days ago. The neutral Powers raise some objections to
our intended annexation of French territory for the purpose of
securing an advantageous western frontier, especially England, who
up to the present has shown a disposition to tie our hands. The
reports from St. Petersburg appear to be more favourable, the Tsar
being well disposed to us, although he by no means unreservedly
accepts the proposed measures, while we are assured of the active
sympathy of the Grand Duchess Hélène. We hold fast to our
intention to enforce the cession of territory, that intention being
based upon the necessity of at length securing South Germany from
French attack and thus rendering it independent of French policy.
When our intentions are made public they will certainly be
energetically endorsed by the national sentiment, which it will be
difficult to oppose.
It is reported that a variety of revolting acts have been committed
by the bands of franctireurs that are now being formed. Their uniform
is such that they can hardly be recognised as soldiers, and the
badges by which they are distinguished can be easily laid aside. One
of these young fellows lies in a ditch near a wood, apparently
sunning himself, while a troop of cavalry rides by. When they have
passed he takes a rifle which has been concealed in a bush, fires at
them and runs into the wood. Knowing the way he again appears a
little further on as a harmless peasant. I am inclined to think that
these are not defenders of their country but rather assassins who
should be strung up without ceremony whenever they are caught.
Count Seckendorf, of the Crown Prince’s staff, was the Chief’s
guest at dinner. The Augustenburger (Frederick VIII. of Schleswig-
Holstein), who has joined the Bavarians, was spoken of, and not to
his advantage.... (The opinions expressed were practically identical
with those given in a letter which I received a few months later from
a patriotic friend, Herr Noeldeke, who lived in Kiel at that time as a
professor. He wrote: “We all know that he was not born for heroic
deeds. He cannot help that. If he waits persistently for his inheritance
to be restored to him by some miraculous means, that is a family
trait. But he might at least have made an effort to appear heroic.
Instead of loafing around with the army he might have led a
company or a battalion of the soldiers whom at one time he was
nearly calling his own,—or for my part he might have led Bavarians.
In all probability the result would not have been very remarkable, but
at any rate he would have shown his good will.”)
Reference was made to the rumour that the Bavarian battalions
did not appear particularly anxious to advance at the battle of Wörth
(or was it Weissenburg?), and that Major von Freiberg called upon
them to show themselves equal to “those gallant Prussians.”
Seckendorf, if I am not mistaken, confirmed this report. On the other
hand, he denied that the Crown Prince had ordered treacherous
French peasants to be shot. He had, on the contrary, acted with
great leniency and forbearance, especially towards unmannerly
French officers.
Count Bohlen, who is always ready with amusing anecdotes and
flashes of fun, said: “On the 18th von Breintz’s battery was subjected
to such a heavy fire that in a short time nearly all his horses and
most of his men lay dead or wounded. As he was mustering the
survivors, the captain remarked, ‘A very fine fight, is it not?’”
The Chief said: “Last night I asked the sentry at the door how he
was off for food, and I found that the man had had nothing to eat for
twenty-four hours. I went to the kitchen and brought him a good
chunk of bread, at which he seemed highly pleased.”
Hatzfeldt’s appointment as Prefect led to the mention of other
Prefects and Commissaries in spe. Doubt having been expressed as
to the capacity of some of them, the Minister remarked: “Our officials
in France may commit a few blunders, but they will be soon forgotten
if the administration in general is conducted energetically.”
The conversation having turned on the telegraph lines which
were being so rapidly erected in our rear, somebody told the
following story. The workmen who found that their poles were stolen
and their wires cut, asked the peasants to keep guard over them
during the night. The latter, however, refused to do this, although
they were offered payment for it. At length they were promised that
the name of each watchman should be painted upon every pole.
This speculation on French vanity succeeded. After that the fellows
in the long nightcaps kept faithful watch, and no further damage was
done.
Friday, August 26th.—We are to move forward to Saint
Ménehould, where our troops have captured 800 mobile guards.
Early in the day I wrote an article about the franctireurs, dealing in
detail with the false view which they take of what is permissible in
war.
We moved forward on the 26th, not to Saint Ménehould,
however, which was still unsafe, being infested by franctireurs and
mobile guards, but to Clermont en Argonne, where we arrived at 7
o’clock in the evening. On our way we passed through several rather
large villages with handsome old churches. For the last couple of
hours military policemen were stationed along the road at intervals of
about 200 paces. The houses, which were built of grey sandstone
and not whitewashed, stood close together. The whole population
shuffled about in clumsy wooden shoes, and the features of the men
and women, of whom we saw great numbers standing before the
doors, were, so far as I could observe in a passing glance, almost
invariably ugly. Probably the people thought it necessary to remove
the prettier girls to a place of safety out of the way of the German
birds of prey.
We met some Bavarian troops with a line of transport waggons.
The troops loudly cheered the King, and afterwards the Chancellor.
Later on we overtook three regiments of infantry, some hussars,
uhlans, and a Saxon commissariat detachment. Near a village,
which was called Triaucourt if I am not mistaken, we met a cartful of
franctireurs who had been captured by our people. Most of these
young fellows hung their heads, and one of them was weeping. The
Chief stopped and spoke to them. What he said did not appear to
please them particularly. An officer of higher rank who came over to
the carriage of the Councillors and was treated to a friendly glass of
cognac told us that these fellows or comrades of theirs had on the
previous day treacherously shot a captain or major of the uhlans,
named Von Fries or Friesen. On being taken prisoners they had not
behaved themselves like soldiers, but had run away from their
escort. The cavalry and rifles, however, arranged a kind of battue in
the vineyards, so that some of them were again seized, while others
were shot or cut down. It was evident that the war was becoming
barbarous and inhuman, owing to these guerilla bands. Our soldiers
were prejudiced against them from the beginning, even apart from
the possibility of their lying treacherously in ambush, as they looked
upon them as busybodies who were interfering in what was not their
business, and as bunglers who did not understand their work.
We took up our residence at Clermont in the town schoolhouse in
the main street, the King’s quarters being over the way. On our
arrival, the Grande Rue was full of carts and carriages, and one saw
here and there a few Saxon rifles. While Abeken and I were visiting
the church we could hear in the stillness the steady tramp of the
troops and their hurrahs as they marched past the King’s quarters.
On our return we were told that the Minister had left word that we
were to dine with him in the Hôtel des Voyageurs. We found a place
at the Chief’s table in a back room of the hotel, which was full of
noise and tobacco smoke. Amongst the guests was an officer with a
long black beard, who wore the Geneva cross on his arm. This was
Prince Pless. He said that the captured French officers at Pont à
Mousson had behaved in an insolent manner, and had spent the
whole night drinking and playing cards. A general had insisted that
he was entitled to have a separate carriage, and been very
obstreperous when his demand was naturally rejected. We then
went on to speak of the franctireurs and their odious modes of
warfare. The Minister confirmed what I had already heard from
Abeken, namely, that he had spoken very sharply to the prisoners
we had met in the afternoon. “I told them, ‘Vous serez tous pendus,
—vous n’êtes pas des soldats, vous êtes des assassins!’ On my
saying this one of them began to howl.” We have already seen that
the Chancellor is anything but unfeeling, and further proof of this will
be given later on.
In our quarters the Chief’s chamber was on the first floor,
Abeken, I believe, having a back room on the same landing. The
remainder of us were lodged on the second floor in a dormitory or
kind of hall which at first only contained two chairs and two
bedsteads with mattresses but without quilts. The night was bitterly
cold, and I only with my waterproof to cover me. Still it was quite
endurable, especially when one fell asleep thinking of the poor
soldiers who have to lie outside in the muddy fields.
In the morning we were busy rearranging our apartment to suit
our needs. Without depriving it of its original character we turned it
into an office and dining-room. Theiss’s cleverness conjured up a
magnificent table out of a sawing bench and a baker’s trough, a
barrel, a small box and a door which we took off its hinges. This work
of art served as breakfast and dining table for the Chancellor of the
Confederation and ourselves, and in the intervals between those
meals was used as a desk by the Councillors and Secretaries, who
neatly committed to paper and reproduced in the form of
despatches, instructions, telegrams, and newspaper articles the
pregnant ideas which the Count thought out in our midst. The
scarcity of chairs was to a certain extent overcome by requisitioning
a bench from the kitchen, while some of the party contented
themselves with boxes as seats. Wine bottles that had been emptied
by the Minister served as candlesticks—experience proved that
champagne bottles were the fittest for this purpose and as a matter
of fact good wax candles burned as brightly in these as in a silver
chandelier. It was more difficult to secure the necessary supply of
water for washing, and sometimes it was hard even to get enough
for drinking purposes, the soldiers having during the last two days
almost drained the wells for themselves and their horses. Only one
of our party lamented his lot and grumbled at these and other slight
discomforts. The rest of us, including the far-travelled Abeken,
accepted them all with good humour, as welcome and characteristic
features of our expedition.
The office of the Minister of War, or rather of the general staff,
was on the ground floor, where Fouriere and a number of soldiers
sat at the desks and rostrums in the two schoolrooms. The walls
were covered with maps, &c., and with mottoes, one of which was
particularly applicable to the present bad times: “Faites-vous une
étude de la patience, et sachez céder par raison.”
The Chief came in while we were taking our coffee. He was in a
bad temper, and asked why the proclamation threatening to punish
with death a number of offences by the population against the laws
of war had not been posted up. On his instructions I inquired of
Stieber, who told me that Abeken had handed over the proclamation
to the general staff, and that he (Stieber), as director of the military
police, could only put up such notices when they came from his
Majesty.
On going to the Chancellor’s room to inform him of the result of
my inquiries, I found that he was little better off than myself in the
way of sleeping accommodation. He had passed the night on a
mattress on the floor with his revolver by his side, and he was
working at a little table which was hardly large enough to rest his two
elbows on. The apartment was almost bare of furniture and there
was not a sofa or armchair, &c. He, who for years past had so largely
influenced the history of the world, and in whose mind all the great
movements of our time were concentrated and being shaped anew,
had hardly a place on which to lay his head; while stupid Court
parasites rested from their busy idleness in luxurious beds, and even
Monsieur Stieber managed to provide for himself a more comfortable
resting-place than our Master.
On this occasion I saw a letter that had fallen into our hands. It
came from Paris, and was addressed to a French officer of high
rank. From this communication it appeared that little hope was
entertained of further successful resistance, and just as little of the
maintenance of the dynasty. The writer did not know what to expect
or desire for the immediate future. The choice seemed to lie between
a Republic without republicans, and a Monarchy without
monarchists. The republicans were a feeble set and the monarchists
were too selfish. There was great enthusiasm about the army, but
nobody was in a hurry to join it and assist in repelling the enemy.
The Chief again said that attention should be called to the
services of the Saxons at Gravelotte. “The small black fellows should
in particular be praised. Their own newspapers have expressed
themselves very modestly, and yet the Saxons were exceptionally
gallant. Try to get some details of the excellent work they did on the
18th.”
They were very busy in the office in the meantime. Councillors
and Secretaries were writing and deciphering at full pressure,
sealing despatches at the lights stuck into the champagne-bottle-
candlesticks, and all around portfolios and documents, waterproofs
and shoe-brushes, torn papers and empty envelopes, were strewn
about in picturesque confusion. Orderlies, couriers and attendants
came and went. Every one was talking at the same time, and was
too occupied to pay the least attention to his neighbours. Abeken
was particularly active in rushing about between the improvised table
and the messengers, and his voice was louder than ever. I believe
that this morning his ready hand turned out a fresh document every
half hour; at least, one heard him constantly pushing back his chair
and calling a messenger. In addition to all this noise came the
incessant tramp, tramp, tramp of the soldiers, the rolling of the drums
and the rattle of the carts over the pavement. In this confusion it was
no light task to collect one’s thoughts and to carry out properly the
instructions received, but with plenty of good will it could be done.
After dinner, at which the Chancellor and some of the Councillors
were not present, as they dined with the King, I took a walk with
Willisch to the chapel of St. Anne on the top of the hill. There we
found a number of our countrymen, soldiers belonging to the
Freiberg Rifle Battalion, at supper under a tree. They have been
engaged in the battle of the 18th. I tried to obtain some particulars of
the fight, but could not get much more out of them than that they had
given it with a will to the Frenchmen.
By the side of the chapel a pathway led between a row of trees to
a delightful prospect, whence we could see at our feet the little town,
and beyond it to the north and east an extensive plain, with stubble
fields, villages, steeples, groups of trees and stretches of wood, and
to the south and west a forest that spread out to the horizon,
changing from dark green to the misty blue of the far distance. This
plain is intersected by three roads, one of which goes direct to
Varennes. On this road not far from the town a Bavarian regiment
was stationed, whose camp fires added a picturesque note to the
scene. In the distance to the right was a wooded hill with the village
of Faucoix, while the small town of Montfaucon was visible further
off. The second road, more towards the east, leads to Verdun. Still
further to the right, not far from a camp of Saxon troops, was the
road to Bar le Duc, on which we noticed a detachment of soldiers.
We caught the glint of their bayonets in the evening sunshine and
heard the sound of their drums softened by the distance.
Here we remained a good while gazing at this pleasing picture,
which in the west was glowing with the light of the setting sun, and
watching the shadows of the mountain spread slowly over the fields
until all was dark. On our way back we again looked in at the church
of St. Didier, in which some Hessians were now quartered. They lay
on straw in the choir and before the altar, and lit their pipes at the
lamps which burned before the sanctuary—without, however,
intending any disrespect, as they were decent, harmless fellows.
On Sunday, August 28th, we were greeted with a dull grey sky
and a soft steady rain that reminded one of the weather experienced
by Goethe not far from here in September, 1792, during the days
preceding and following the artillery engagement at Valmy. At the
Chief’s request I took General Sheridan a copy of the Pall Mall
Gazette, and afterwards tried to hunt up some Saxons who could
give me particulars of the battle of the 18th. At length I found an
officer of the Landwehr, a landed proprietor named Fuchs-Nordhof,
from Moeckern, near Leipzig. He was not able to add much to what I
knew. The Saxons had fought principally at Sainte Marie aux Chênes
and Saint Privat, and protected the retreat of the guards, who had
fallen into some disorder. The Freiberg Rifles took the position held
by the French at the point of the bayonet without firing a shot. The
Leipzig Regiment (the 107th) in particular had lost a great many men
and nearly all its officers. That was all he could tell me, except that
he confirmed the news as to Krausshaar’s death.
When the Minister got up we were again provided with plenty of
work. Our cause was making excellent progress. I was in a position
to telegraph that the Saxon cavalry had routed the 12th Chasseurs
at Voussières and Beaumont. I was informed (and was at liberty to
state) that we held to our determination to compel France to a
cession of territory, and that we should conclude peace on no other
conditions.
The arguments in support of this decision were given in the
following article which was sanctioned by the Chief:—
“Since the victories of Mars la Tour and Gravelotte the German
forces have been constantly pressing forward. The time would,
therefore, appear to have come for considering the conditions on
which Germany can conclude peace with France. In this matter we
must be guided neither by a passion for glory or conquest, nor by
that generosity which is frequently recommended to us by the foreign
press. Our sole object must be to guarantee the security of South
Germany from fresh attacks on the part of France such as have
been renewed more than a dozen times from the reign of Louis XIV.
to our own days, and which will be repeated as often as France feels
strong enough. The enormous sacrifices, in blood and treasure
which the German people have made in this war, together with all
our present victories, would be in vain if the power of the French
were not weakened for attack and the defensive strength of
Germany were not increased. Our people have a right to demand
that this shall be done. Were we to content ourselves with a change
of dynasty and an indemnity the position of affairs would not be
improved, and there would be nothing to prevent this war leading to
a number of others, especially as the present defeat would spur on
the French to revenge. France with her comparatively great wealth
would soon forget the indemnity, and any new dynasty would, in
order to fortify its own position, endeavour to secure a victory over us
and thus compensate for the present misfortunes of the country.
Generosity is a highly respectable virtue, but as a rule in politics it
secures no gratitude. In 1866 we did not take a single inch of ground
from the Austrians, but have we received any thanks in Vienna for
this self-restraint? Do they not feel a bitter longing for revenge simply
because they have been defeated? Besides the French already bore
us a grudge for our victory at Sadowa, though it was not won over
them but over another foreign Power. Whether we now generously
forego a cession of territory or not, how will they feel towards us after
the victories of Wörth and Metz, and how will they seek revenge for
their own defeat?
“The consequences of the other course adopted in 1814 and
1815, when France was treated with great consideration, prove it to
have been bad policy. If at that time the French had been weakened
to the extent which the interests of general peace required, the
present war would not have been necessary.
“The danger does not lie in Bonapartism, although the latter must
rely chiefly upon Chauvinist sentiment. It consists in the incurable
arrogance of that portion of the French people which gives the tone
to the whole country. This trait in the French national character,
which will guide the policy of every dynasty, whatever name it may
bear, and even of a Republic, will constantly lead to encroachments
upon peaceful neighbours. Our victories, to bear fruit, must lead to
an actual improvement of our frontier defences against this restless
neighbour. Whoever wishes to see the diminution of military burdens
in Europe, or desires such a peace as would permit thereof, must
look not to moral but to material guarantees as a solid and
permanent barrier against the French lust of conquest; in other
words, it should in future be made as difficult as possible for France
to invade South Germany with a comparatively small force, and even
in peace to compel the South Germans, through the apprehension of
such attack, to be always reckoning with the French Government.
Our present task is to secure South Germany by providing it with a
defensible frontier. To fulfil that task is to liberate Germany, that is to
complete the work of the War of Liberation in 1813 and 1814.
“The least, therefore, that we can demand and that the German
people, and particularly our comrades across the Main, can accept
is, the cession of the French gateways into Germany, namely
Strassburg and Metz. It would be just as short-sighted to expect any
permanent peace from the mere demolition of these fortresses as to
trust in the possibility of winning over the French by considerate
treatment. Besides, it must not be forgotten that this territory which
we now demand was originally German and in great part still
remains German, and that its inhabitants will perhaps in time learn to
feel that they belong to one race with ourselves.
 “We may regard a change of dynasty with indifference. An
indemnity will only temporarily weaken France financially. What we
require is increased security for our frontiers. This is only attainable,
however, by changing the two fortresses that threaten us into
bulwarks for our protection. Strassburg and Metz must cease to be
points of support for French attacks and be transformed into German
defences.
“Whoever sincerely desires a general European peace and
disarmament, and wants to see the ploughshare replace the sword,
must first wish to see the eastern neighbours of France secure
peace for themselves, as France is the sole disturber of public
tranquillity and will so remain as long as she has the power.”
 CHAPTER V
WE TURN TOWARDS THE NORTH—THE CHANCELLOR OF THE
CONFEDERATION AT REZONVILLE—THE BATTLE AND BATTLEFIELD
OF BEAUMONT

Sunday, August 28th.—At tea we receive an important piece of

news. We ourselves and the whole army (with the exception of that
portion which remains behind for the investment of Metz) are to alter
our line of march, and instead of going westwards in the direction of
Châlons, we are to turn northwards, following the edge of the
Argonne forest towards the Ardennes and the Meuse district. Our
next halt will, it is believed, be at Grand Pré. This move is made for
the purpose of intercepting Marshal MacMahon, who has collected a
large force and is marching towards Metz for the relief of Bazaine.
We start at 10 o’clock on the 29th, passing through several
villages and occasionally by handsome châteaux and parks, a camp
of Bavarian soldiers, some line regiments, rifles, light horse and
cuirassiers. In driving through the small town of Varennes we notice
the house where Louis XVI. was arrested by the postman of Saint
Ménehould. It is now occupied by a firm of scythe manufacturers.
The whole place is full of soldiers, horse and foot, with waggons and
artillery. After extricating ourselves from this crowd of vehicles and
men, we push rapidly forward through villages and past other camps,
until we reach Grand Pré. Here the Chancellor takes up his quarters
in the Grande Rue, a little way from the market, the King lodging at
an apothecary’s not far off. The second section of the King’s suite,
including Prince Charles, Prince Luitpold of Bavaria, and the
Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, was quartered in
the neighbouring village of Juvin. I am billeted at a milliner’s opposite
the Chief’s quarters. I have a nice clean room, but my landlady is
invisible. We saw a number of French prisoners in the market-place
on our arrival. I am informed that an encounter with MacMahon’s
army is expected to-morrow morning.
At Grande Pré the Chief again showed that he never thought of
the possibility of an attempt being made to assassinate him. He
walked about in the twilight alone and without any constraint, going
even through narrow and lonely streets that offered special
opportunities for attack. I say this from personal experience, because
I followed him with my revolver at a little distance. It seemed to me
possible that an occasion might arise when I might be of assistance
to him.
On my hearing next morning that the King and the Chancellor
were going off together in order to be present at the great battue of
the second French army I thought of a favourite proverb of the
Chief’s which he repeated to me on his return from Rezonville:
—“Wer sich grün macht, den fressen die Ziegen,” and plucking up
heart I begged him to take me with him. He answered, “But if we
remain there for the night what will you do?” I replied, “That doesn’t
matter, Excellency; I shall know how to take care of myself.” “Well,
then, come along!” said he, laughing. The Minister took a walk in the
market-place while I, in high good humour, fetched my travelling bag,
waterproof and faithful diary. On his return he entered his carriage
and motioned to me to join him, when I took my place at his side.
One must have luck to secure such a piece of good fortune, and one
must also follow it up.
We started shortly after 9 o’clock. At first we retraced our steps
along yesterday’s road. Then to the left through vineyards and past
several villages in a hilly district. We met some parks of artillery and
troops on the march or resting by the way. About 11 o’clock we
reached the little town of Busancy, where we stopped in the market-
place to wait for the King.
 The Chief was very communicative. He complained that he was
frequently disturbed at his work by persons talking outside his door,
“particularly as some of the gentlemen have such loud voices. An
ordinary inarticulate noise does not annoy me. I am not put out by
music or the rattle of waggons, but what irritates me is a
conversation in which I can distinguish the words. I then want to
know what it is about, and so I lose the thread of my own ideas.”
He then pointed out to me that when officers saluted our carriage,
it was not for me to return the salute. He himself was not saluted as
Minister or Chancellor, but solely as a general officer, and soldiers
might feel offended if a civilian seemed to think that the salute was
also intended for him.
He was afraid that nothing in particular would occur that day, an
opinion which was shared by some Prussian artillery officers who
were standing by their guns immediately opposite Busancy, and with
whom he spoke. “It will be just as it was occasionally when I was out
wolf shooting in the Ardennes. After wandering about for days in the
snow, we used to hear that a track had been discovered, but when
we followed it up the wolf had disappeared. It will be the same with
the French to-day.”
After expressing a hope that he might meet his second son,
respecting whom he repeatedly inquired of officers along the route,
the Minister added:—“You can see from his case how little nepotism
there is in our army. He has already served twelve months and has
obtained no promotion, while others are recommended for the rank
of ensign in little more than a month.” I took the liberty to ask how
that was possible. “I do not know,” he answered. “I have made close
inquiries as to whether he had been guilty of any slight breaches of
discipline; but no, his conduct has been quite satisfactory, and in the
engagement at Mars la Tour he charged as gallantly on the French
square as any of his comrades. On the return ride he dragged with
him out of the fight two dragoons who had been unhorsed, grasping
one of them in each hand.[5] It is certainly well to avoid favouritism,
but it is bitter to be slighted.”
A few weeks later both his sons were promoted to the rank of
officers.
Subsequently, amongst many other things, the Chief once more
gave me an account of his experiences on the evening of the 18th of
August. They had sent their horses to water, and were standing near
a battery which had opened fire. This was not returned by the
French, but, he continued, “while we thought their cannon had been
dismounted, they were for the last hour concentrating their guns and
mitrailleuses for a last great effort. Suddenly they began a fearful fire
with shells and smaller projectiles, filling the whole air with an
incessant crashing and roaring, howling and whistling. We were cut
off from the King, whom Roon had sent to the rear. I remained by the
battery, and thought that if we had to retire I could jump on to the
next ammunition cart. We expected that this attack would be
supported by French infantry, who might take me prisoner, even if I
were to treat them to a steady revolver fire. I had six bullets ready for
them, and another half-dozen in reserve. At length our horses
returned, and I started off to join the King. That, however, was
jumping from the frying pan into the fire. The shells that passed over
our heads fell exactly in the space across which we had to ride. Next
morning we saw the pits which they dug in the ground. It was
therefore necessary for the King to retire still further to the rear. I told
him this after the officers had mentioned it to me. It was now night.
The King said he was hungry, and wished to have something to eat.
Drink was to be had from one of the sutlers, wine and bad rum, but
there was nothing to eat except dry bread. At last they managed to
hunt up a couple of cutlets in the village, just enough for the King,
but nothing for his companions, so that I was obliged to look out for
something else. His Majesty wished to sleep in the carriage between
dead horses and severely wounded soldiers. Later on he found