Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam 2026 - Free AP US History Practice Questions and Study Guide

Lincoln's 10% Plan proposed that if 10% of the voters in a state who had participated in the 1860 election took an oath of allegiance to the Union and accepted the end of slavery, that state could be reinstated into the Union. This approach aimed to encourage a swift and lenient reconstruction process for the Southern states following the Civil War. It was built on the belief that a more forgiving and pragmatic approach to reconstruction would help heal the nation and foster reconciliation between the North and South.

The plan was intended to undermine the Confederacy and encourage immediate loyalty from former rebels, creating a pathway for reintegration into the United States. This leniency stemmed from Lincoln’s desire to stabilize the nation and promote unity rather than punishment following the war.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the core tenets of Lincoln's proposals. The first option misrepresents the focus of the plan, which was not about limiting voting rights to only 10% of the Southern population. The third option incorrectly suggests a financial aspect that was not central to Lincoln's 10% Plan, as there were no specific allocations of federal funds involved in this policy for reconstruction. Lastly, the idea of granting amnesty to only 10%