habeas corpus where needed for the security of troops trying to reach Washington. John Merryman, one Maryland official hindering the U.S. troop movements, petitioned Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney to issue a writ of habeas corpus. In June, in Ex parte Merryman, Taney, not ruling on behalf of the Supreme Court, issued the writ, believing that Article I, section 9 of the Constitution authorized only Congress and not the president to suspend it. But Lincoln persisted with the policy of suspension in select areas. Union military strategy Lincoln took executive control of the war and shaped the Union military strategy. He responded to the unprecedented political and military crisis as commander-in-chief by exercising unprecedented authority. He expanded his war powers, imposed a blockade on Confederate ports, disbursed funds before appropriation by Congress, suspended habeas corpus, and arrested and imprisoned thousands of suspected Confederate sympathizers. Lincoln gained the support of Congress and the northern public for these actions. Lincoln also had to reinforce Union sympathies in the border slave states and keep the war from becoming an international conflict. It was clear from the outset that bipartisan support was essential to success, and that any compromise alienated factions on both sides of the aisle, such as the appointment of Republicans and Democrats to command positions. Copperheads criticized Lincoln for refusing to compromise on slavery. The Radical Republicans criticized him for moving too slowly in abolishing slavery. On August 6, 1861, Lincoln signed the Confiscation Act that authorized judicial proceedings to confiscate and free slaves who were used to support the Confederates. The law had little practical effect, but it signaled political support for abolishing slavery. In August 1861, General John C. Frémont, the 1856 Republican presidential nominee, without consulting Washington, issued a martial edict freeing slaves of the rebels. Lincoln canceled the illegal proclamation as politically motivated and lacking military necessity. As a result, Union enlistments from Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri increased by over 40,000. Internationally, Lincoln wanted to forestall foreign military aid to the Confederacy. He relied on his combative Secretary of State William Seward while working closely with Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Charles Sumner. In the 1861 Trent Affair which threatened war with Great Britain, the U.S. Navy illegally intercepted a British mail ship, the Trent, on the high seas and seized two Confederate envoys; Britain protested vehemently while the U.S. cheered. Lincoln ended the crisis
{
        'QUESTION: What happened when John Merryman petitioned Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney?':
            'ANSWER: When John Merryman, a Maryland official hindering the U.S. troop movements, petitioned Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney to issue a writ of habeas corpus, Taney issued the writ. However, he did not rule on behalf of the Supreme Court and believed that only Congress could suspend habeas corpus according to Article I, section 9 of the Constitution.',
        'QUESTION: How did President Lincoln respond to the unprecedented political and military crisis during the Civil War?':
            'ANSWER: During the Civil War, President Lincoln responded to the unprecedented political and military crisis by taking executive control of the war and shaping the Union military strategy. He expanded his war powers, imposed a blockade on Confederate ports, disbursed funds before appropriation by Congress, suspended habeas corpus, and arrested and imprisoned thousands of suspected Confederate sympathizers.',
        'QUESTION: Why was the Confiscation Act significant?' :
            'ANSWER: The Confiscation Act was significant because it authorized judicial proceedings to confiscate and free slaves who were used to support the Confederates. Although the law had little practical effect, it showed political support for abolishing slavery.',
        'QUESTION: Who were the Copperheads and what criticism did they have towards Lincoln?':
            'ANSWER: The Copperheads were critics of President Lincoln who opposed his policies during the Civil War. They criticized him for refusing to compromise on slavery issues.',
        'QUESTION: What role did General John C. Frémont play in the early stages of the Civil War?':
            'ANSWER: General John C. Frémont played a role in the early stages of the Civil War by issuing a martial edict freeing slaves of the rebels without consulting Washington. This action was later cancelled by Lincoln due to its lack of military necessity.',
        'QUESTION: What was the outcome of the Trent affair between the US and UK?':
            'ANSWER: The Trent Affair involved the U.S. Navy illegally intercepting a British mail ship and seizing two Confederate envoys. The situation almost led to war between the United States and Great Britain, but ultimately, Lincoln managed to end the crisis peacefully.',
        'QUESTION: Which key figures worked alongside Lincoln in handling international relations during the Civil War?':
            'ANSWER: During the Civil War, President Lincoln worked closely with his Secretary of State William Seward and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Charles Sumner in managing international relations.',
        'QUESTION: How did Lincoln handle the challenge of keeping Union sympathies strong in the border slave states?':
            'ANSWER: To maintain Union sympathies in the border slave states, Lincoln made sure to gain broad bipartisan support for his policies and avoid compromises that might alienate either side of the political spectrum.',
        'QUESTION: What was the significance of Lincoln's decision to cancel General John C. Frémont\'s martial edict?':
            'ANSWER: By canceling General John C. Frémont's martial edict, Lincoln demonstrated his commitment to maintaining discipline within the Union army and avoiding politically driven decisions that could undermine military effectiveness.',
        'QUESTION: What was the impact of Lincoln's decision to increase Union enlistments after canceling Frémont\'s martial edict?':
            'ANSWER: After canceling General John C. Frémont's martial edict, Lincoln saw an increase in Union enlistments from Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri by over 40,000.'
    }

    return q_a_dict