This Document Contains Chapters 27 to 28 Chapter 27: America and the World, 1921-1945 Multiple-Choice Questions 1) What did the Kellogg-Briand Pact involve? a. an alliance between France, Britain, and the United States b. an international treaty outlawing war c. an agreement that forced the United States to join World War II d. a trade agreement between Canada, Mexico, and the United States e. a treaty that gave part of Poland to Germany after World War II Answer: b 2) The countries that comprised the Axis Powers in World War II were __________. a. Germany, France, and Spain b. Germany, China, and Russia c. Germany, Italy, and Japan d. Britain, France, and the United States e. Russia, China, and the United States Answer: c 3) The weakness of the League of Nations was revealed when Italy invaded __________. a. Ethiopia b. Libya c. Egypt d. Spain e. Greece Answer: a 4) In the 1930s, support for pacifism was particularly strong among __________. a. college students b. high-ranking businessmen c. labor unions d. the elderly e. the lower classes Answer: a 5) What did the Nye Committee investigate? a. war crimes committed during World War I b. possible German spies in the United States c. American munitions dealers d. liberal antiwar activists e. American communists Answer: c 6) What did the first neutrality act, passed in 1935, prohibit? a. adding any new troops to the U.S. armed forces b. sending troops to aid Allies at war c. traveling outside of the U.S. borders d. selling arms to nations at war e. covering foreign wars in the news Answer: d 7) British and French leaders met with Hitler in 1938 to discuss his demand for __________. a. the Rhineland b. Austria c. the Polish Corridor d. the Czech province of Sudetenland e. Alsace and Lorraine Answer: d 8) Hitler started World War II by invading __________ on September 1, 1939. a. Austria b. Poland c. France d. Czechoslovakia e. Switzerland Answer: b 9) Roosevelt's Lend-Lease policy __________. a. ensured British access to American war supplies b. placed restrictions on materials the United States could ship to Britain c. encountered almost no opposition from American congressmen d. was strongly supported by American isolationists e. was approved by Congress but never implemented Answer: a 10) In October 1941, German U-boats sank the __________, killing more than 100 American sailors. a. Liberty b. Mayaguez c. Jefferson d. Lusitania e. Reuben James Answer: e 11) When the United States and the Dutch East Indies banned trade with Japan, the Japanese lost their source of __________, which led them to attack the United States. a. oil b. flour c. steel d. rubber e. ammunition Answer: a 12) What event brought the United States into World War II? a. the Italian attack on Austria b. the German occupation of France c. the first mass executions of Jews d. the Japanese invasion of China e. the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Answer: e 13) What was the greatest single advantage that the United States and its Allies had during World War II? a. The Allies began military confrontations with the Axis powers immediately, before they could gain much ground in Europe or Asia. b. The Allies were genuinely willing to work together to defeat their enemies, whereas the Axis powers fought separate wars. c. The Germans and Japanese made slow progress in conquering more lands in Europe and the Pacific. d. All of the Axis powers suffered from ineffective leadership and poor strategizing. e. The Allies had such an overwhelming number of ground troops that Axis resistance was highly ineffective. Answer: b 14) During World War II, the closest ally of the United States was __________. a. the Soviet Union b. Canada c. France d. Britain e. China Answer: d 15) United States troops first went into combat against German troops in __________. a. Italy b. France c. Greece d. Poland e. Africa Answer: e 16) The turning point of the Pacific war was the American victory at the Battle of __________, which gave the United States control of the Central Pacific. a. Coral Sea b. Guadalcanal c. Midway d. Iwo Jima e. Leyte Gulf Answer: c 17) How many times was Franklin D. Roosevelt elected president? a. once b. twice c. three times d. four times e. five times Answer: d 18) Which statement best describes the migration of the American population during World War II? a. Rural areas lost population while coastal areas gained population. b. People moved from urban to rural areas to help grow food to support the troops. c. Coastal areas lost population as millions moved into America's heartland. d. The South and West lost population as millions moved to states in the Northeast. e. The United States lost population as millions moved to Canada. Answer: a 19) The Fair Employment Practices Committee (FEPC) was a federal agency designed to protect __________. a. children from abusive working conditions b. workers in wartime industries from harsh working conditions c. women from discrimination in the workplace d. African Americans from discrimination in the workplace e. the elderly from discrimination in the workplace Answer: d 20) During World War II, which group was placed in relocation camps in the United States? a. Chinese Americans b. German Americans c. Japanese Americans d. Russian Americans e. Jewish Americans Answer: c 21) What does the term "D-Day" mean? a. the day President Roosevelt died b. the day Hitler committed suicide c. the day the Allies invaded Nazi-occupied Europe d. the day the Germans invaded France e. the day the Germans surrendered to the Allies Answer: c 22) The Nazi Holocaust involved the slaughter of __________ people. a. 10,000 b. 50,000 c. 500,000 d. 1,000,000 e. 6,000,000 Answer: e 23) The Soviet Union experienced a diplomatic triumph when Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met in 1945 at the __________. a. Munich Convention b. Yalta Conference c. Casablanca Meeting d. Paris Talk e. London Symposium Answer: b 24) What was the Manhattan Project? a. a plan for ground troops to take Tokyo and end the war b. a government program to deal with criminals of war c. an elite team of secret agents that nearly assassinated Hitler d. a diplomatic project to negotiate a Japanese surrender e. a top-secret program that developed the atom bomb Answer: e 25) The United States dropped its first atom bomb on __________, killing 60,000 people. a. Osaka b. Nagasaki c. Tokyo d. Hiroshima e. Fukushima Answer: d 26) Which statement best describes how Secretary of State Kellogg manipulated the Kellogg-Briand Pact to fit American isolationism after World War I? a. By refusing to sign the pact after it was created, Kellogg made it clear that the United States was not interested in joining European wars. b. By inviting all nations to sign the pact, Kellogg avoided an alliance with France that could pressure the United States into aiding France in a European war. c. By keeping the pact between America and France only, Kellogg avoided being allied to other European nations in the event of war. d. By keeping the pact between the two major American political parties, Kellogg ensured that the United States would enter foreign wars only in self-defense. e. By inviting all of Europe to sign the pact, Kellogg ensured that there would be no more European wars. Answer: b 27) What did the League of Nations do after the Italian invasion of Ethiopia? a. protected the southern half of the country from Mussolini's army b. halted Mussolini's forces just across the Ethiopian border c. authorized billions of dollars in aid for the Ethiopians d. made half-hearted and unsuccessful efforts to stop Mussolini e. organized a successful counterattack to drive the Italians out of Ethiopia Answer: d 28) As a result of the Nye Committee's findings, __________. a. Congress passed the neutrality acts of 1935, 1936, and 1937 b. Secretary of State Kellogg signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact c. R.O.T.C. was temporarily disbanded d. the pacifist movement in America dwindled significantly e. Congress banned the sale of guns inside the United States Answer: a 29) Britain and France responded to initial German aggression in 1938 by __________. a. immediately threatening war b. allying with the Soviet Union c. seizing German territory d. attempting to appease Hitler e. blockading German ports Answer: d 30) With the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939, President Roosevelt __________. a. immediately declared war on Germany b. immediately loaned war supplies to France and England c. declared American neutrality d. warned Germany not to try to occupy France e. made a secret pact with the French Answer: c 31) Why were Americans worried about Hitler's attacks on Britain, in particular? a. America had an alliance with Britain that could force the nation into the war. b. Many Americans had British ancestors or ties to businesses in Britain. c. Many Americans still had family members living in Britain. d. If Hitler took Britain, he would have access to an atom bomb. e. If Hitler took Britain, he could use the British navy to attack the Americas. Answer: e 32) How did FDR help Britain after France fell to the Nazis? a. He placed a total embargo on all trade to Nazi Germany and any countries allied with Hitler. b. He traded 50 destroyers to Britain in exchange for the rights to build military bases in the British West Indies. c. He successfully negotiated an agreement with Hitler to spare Britain in exchange for American neutrality in the war. d. He supplied Britain with 200 fighter planes and about 50 military advisors to help defeat Hitler. e. He brought the United States into World War II on the side of the Allies. Answer: b 33) Which statement best describes Hitler's orders to his submarine commanders in the Atlantic? a. He ordered them not to fire on American vessels to avoid drawing the United States into the war. b. He ordered them not to fire on American vessels because the Germans were temporarily low on ammunition. c. He ordered them to fire on American vessels because he wanted to draw the United States into the war. d. He ordered them not to fire on American vessels because he knew the Americans were committed to neutrality. e. He ordered them to fire on American vessels because they were helping the British. Answer: a 34) During 1940-1941, President Roosevelt attempted to halt Japanese aggression in Asia by __________. a. applying economic pressure on Japan through a trade embargo b. waging a clandestine, undeclared war against Japanese naval forces in the Pacific c. signing mutual defense pacts with other Asian nations d. securing legislation allowing him to send troops to China e. sending troops to fight on Japanese soil Answer: a 35) The Chinese were displeased with the Allies' wartime strategy because the Allies __________. a. refused Chinese troops for the European theater of war b. refused to give any aid to China c. took over the fight against Japan, leaving no place for China d. wanted to focus on defeating Germany first, rather than Japan e. refused to declare war against Japan immediately Answer: d 36) During the war, U.S.-Soviet relations were __________. a. especially close and trusting b. especially hostile, almost to the point of open war c. constantly strained by significant ideological differences d. hurt by the U.S. refusal to recognize the Soviet Union e. significantly influenced by FDR's personal dislike of Stalin Answer: c 37) Russia looked forward to __________ after its victory in World War II. a. establishing communist regimes in eastern Europe b. establishing trade routes with Britain and the United States c. improving its relationship with the United States d. establishing a popular, democratic government e. receiving monetary compensation from the United Nations Answer: a 38) The United States looked forward to __________ after its victory in World War II. a. controlling postwar governments in Germany and Italy b. breaking up the Soviet Union c. seizing German resources d. controlling western Europe e. controlling the Pacific Answer: e 39) Which of the following statements describes a social problem during World War II? a. Couples had fewer children, which meant a surplus of teachers and daycare centers. b. There was insufficient housing for workers in cities with wartime industries. c. Fewer couples were getting married due to the uncertainties of wartime. d. Middle-aged, married women were edged out of the workforce by single women. e. California's economy almost collapsed, since it lacked wartime industries. Answer: b 40) Philip Randolph threatened a massive march on Washington in 1941 in order to force President Roosevelt to __________. a. end racial discrimination in the defense industry b. bring the United States into World War II c. remain neutral during the war d. send more aid to Britain and occupied France e. allow women to work in wartime industries Answer: a 41) What caused riots in both Los Angeles and Detroit in 1943? a. food shortages b. abusive labor conditions c. racial tensions d. strong antiwar sentiments e. layoffs in wartime industries Answer: c 42) Why was the Battle of the Bulge an important battle during World War II? a. It was the battle that drew the United States into the war. b. It was Hitler's first loss in the war, showing the world that he could be beaten. c. It was the first time the Allies gained significant ground in Europe. d. The Allies won the battle and immediately ended the war. e. The Allied victory exhausted Hitler's reserves and fatally weakened his army. Answer: e 43) Compared with the American contribution to the defeat of Germany, the Soviet Union's contribution was __________. a. significantly smaller b. somewhat smaller c. about the same d. significantly larger e. impossible to determine Answer: d 44) How did Americans feel about collective security toward the end of World War II? a. They were eager to make new attempts at collective security. b. They acknowledged that collective security was useful, but remained reluctant. c. They still thought that isolationism was better than collective security. d. They realized that collective security was ineffective, but it kept their alliances throughout the war. e. They vowed never to make another attempt at collective security. Answer: a 45) When Japan's defeat was deemed inevitable, the military favored __________. a. negotiating a peace treaty to avoid further loss of life b. modifying the unconditional surrender formula to allow Japan to keep its emperor c. an all-out, full-scale invasion of Japan d. destroying Japan with a series of atom bombs e. forcing Japan to surrender by threatening them with more atom bombs Answer: c 46) President Truman's primary motive for using nuclear weapons against Japan was to __________. a. impress the Soviet Union b. kill as many Japanese as possible c. make sure these costly weapons were utilized d. completely destroy Japan e. end the war as quickly as possible Answer: e 47) After World War II, the United States __________. a. was drastically weaker than it had been before the war b. was slightly weaker than it had been before the war c. had about the same amount of power as it had before the war d. was slightly more powerful than it had been before the war e. was the most powerful country in the world Answer: e 48) Which two factors explain American isolationism in the 1930s? a. the Great Depression and an understanding of the costs of war b. the Great Depression and the Catholic Church c. the Kellogg-Briand Pact and anti-Semitism d. the Kellogg-Briand Pact and a lack of resources e. a lack of resources and religious revival Answer: a 49) Which statement best describes isolationist and interventionist opinions about FDR as he led America to the brink of war in Europe? a. Both isolationists and interventionists were happy with how he handled events. b. Isolationists thought he was deceitful and interventionists thought he was too cautious in dealing with the Nazis. c. Isolationists thought he was doing well keeping America out of the war, but interventionists were furious that America was doing nothing. d. Isolationists were furious that he was helping the Allies, but interventionists were thrilled that the nation was doing something to help. e. Isolationists were furious that he was helping the Allies, and even the interventionists thought he was going too far with his aid. Answer: b 50) America's use of the atomic bomb to defeat Japan __________. a. strengthened the alliance between the United States and the Soviet Union b. made the Soviet Union defer to the United States in matters of international policy c. had no effect on the relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union d. led to the postwar arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union e. nearly led to an outright war with the Soviet Union Answer: d Essay Questions 51) What factors account for the rise of American isolationism between the wars? How did neutrality legislation work to the advantage of aggressive dictators? Answer: The rise of American isolationism between the wars can be attributed to several factors: 1. World War I Trauma: The experience of World War I, with its devastating impact on Europe and significant loss of American lives, left many Americans wary of involvement in another European conflict. 2. Economic Concerns: The Great Depression of the 1930s led many Americans to prioritize domestic issues over international affairs. There was a strong desire to focus on rebuilding the economy and addressing domestic challenges rather than engaging in foreign conflicts. 3. Fear of Entanglement: Many Americans were wary of being drawn into another global conflict and becoming entangled in the affairs of European powers. This fear was fueled by the perception that U.S. involvement in World War I had not achieved lasting peace. 4. Pacifist Sentiment: There was a strong pacifist sentiment among the American public, fueled in part by organizations such as the American Peace Society and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. These groups advocated for a policy of non-intervention and peaceful resolution of conflicts. 5. Isolationist Leaders: Several key political figures, such as Senator William Borah and aviator Charles Lindbergh, were prominent advocates of isolationism. They argued that the United States should focus on its own interests and avoid involvement in foreign conflicts. Neutrality legislation, such as the Neutrality Acts of the 1930s, worked to the advantage of aggressive dictators by limiting the ability of the United States to intervene in international conflicts. These laws were designed to prevent the United States from being drawn into another world war by prohibiting arms sales to belligerent nations, restricting American travel on belligerent ships, and implementing a "cash and carry" policy for the sale of non-military goods to belligerent nations. These laws effectively limited the ability of the United States to support nations under attack by aggressive dictators, such as Nazi Germany and Italy under Mussolini, allowing these aggressors to expand their power and influence with less resistance. The restrictions also limited the ability of democratic nations, such as France and the United Kingdom, to effectively resist the aggression of these dictators, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of World War II. 52) How did events in the early years of the war affect American public opinion? How did Roosevelt aid the British? Answer: Events in the early years of World War II, particularly the fall of France in 1940 and the Battle of Britain, had a significant impact on American public opinion. These events, along with aggressive actions by Axis powers, such as the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan, gradually shifted American sentiment away from isolationism toward support for the Allied powers. The fall of France in 1940 was a major turning point. It demonstrated the effectiveness of German military tactics and raised fears about the spread of fascism and the potential threat to American security. The Battle of Britain, in which the British Royal Air Force successfully defended against German air attacks, also garnered sympathy and admiration from the American public. President Franklin D. Roosevelt played a key role in aiding the British and supporting the Allied cause. Even before the United States officially entered the war, Roosevelt implemented policies to support Britain, which was fighting alone against Germany at that time. Roosevelt initiated the Lend-Lease program in 1941, which allowed the United States to provide military aid, including weapons, vehicles, and other supplies, to Allied nations, primarily the United Kingdom, China, and the Soviet Union. This program helped sustain the British war effort and bolstered their ability to resist German aggression. Additionally, Roosevelt engaged in diplomatic efforts to support the British and strengthen the Allied cause. He met with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin at various conferences, such as the Atlantic Conference and the Tehran Conference, to coordinate strategy and demonstrate solidarity against the Axis powers. Roosevelt's actions helped to build public support for greater involvement in the war and laid the groundwork for the United States to enter the conflict on the side of the Allies following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. 53) Describe the Allies' overall strategy in World War II. Answer: The Allies' overall strategy in World War II was to defeat the Axis powers through a combination of military, economic, and diplomatic efforts. The main goals of the Allies were to: 1. Defeat Germany First: The Allies recognized that Germany, under Hitler's rule, posed the most immediate and significant threat. Therefore, their primary focus was on defeating Nazi Germany in Europe before turning their full attention to Japan in the Pacific. 2. Strategic Bombing Campaigns: The Allies conducted extensive strategic bombing campaigns against Axis targets, aiming to destroy enemy infrastructure, disrupt production, and undermine morale. 3. North Africa and Italy Campaigns: The Allies launched campaigns in North Africa and Italy to weaken German forces and gain control of strategic areas, such as the Mediterranean. 4. D-Day and the Western Front: The invasion of Normandy on D-Day (June 6, 1944) marked the beginning of the Allies' campaign to liberate Western Europe from German occupation. This campaign, which included the Battle of the Bulge, ultimately led to the defeat of Germany in May 1945. 5. Eastern Front: The Soviet Union bore the brunt of the fighting against Germany on the Eastern Front. The Allies provided support to the Soviet Union through the Lend-Lease program and coordinated their efforts to keep German forces occupied on both fronts. 6. Pacific Theater: In the Pacific, the Allies adopted an "island-hopping" strategy, advancing through the Pacific islands towards Japan while bypassing heavily fortified Japanese-held islands. This strategy allowed the Allies to gradually move closer to Japan while avoiding costly frontal assaults. 7. Air and Naval Superiority: The Allies sought to achieve air and naval superiority to support their ground campaigns and disrupt enemy supply lines. 8. Unconditional Surrender: The Allies demanded unconditional surrender from the Axis powers, aiming to ensure the complete and total defeat of their enemies. Overall, the Allies' strategy was comprehensive, combining military, economic, and diplomatic efforts to defeat the Axis powers and secure victory in World War II. 54) In terms of the economy, labor force, and internal migrations, how did World War II transform America? Answer: World War II brought about significant transformations in America's economy, labor force, and internal migrations: 1. Economy: The war led to a massive expansion of the American economy. The government invested heavily in war production, leading to the growth of industries such as aviation, shipbuilding, and electronics. The war also stimulated technological innovation, including the development of radar and the atomic bomb. The economy shifted from a focus on consumer goods to wartime production, leading to full employment and economic prosperity. 2. Labor Force: The wartime economy created a high demand for labor, leading to the entrance of millions of women and minorities into the workforce. Women took on roles traditionally held by men, such as factory workers and nurses, while African Americans and other minorities found employment in defense industries. This marked a significant shift in the composition of the labor force and contributed to the later civil rights movement. 3. Internal Migrations: The demand for labor in industrial centers led to large-scale internal migrations. People moved from rural areas to cities in search of employment opportunities in war industries. This movement contributed to the growth of urban centers and changed the demographic makeup of many cities. The war also prompted the internment of Japanese Americans, leading to the displacement of thousands from their homes and communities. Overall, World War II transformed America's economy, labor force, and internal migrations by stimulating industrial growth, expanding the workforce to include women and minorities, and leading to large-scale population movements within the country. Chapter 28: The Onset of the Cold War, 1945-1960 Multiple-Choice Questions 1) One crucial issue discussed at the Potsdam Conference was __________. a. the use of the atomic bomb b. the spread of communism in China c. war reparations d. opening a second front against Germany e. how to deal with Japan Answer: c 2) What was the fundamental disagreement between the United States and the Soviet Union at the beginning of the Cold War about? a. who would control postwar Europe b. who would control postwar Asia c. which country had contributed more to the Allied victory d. whether Truman or Stalin would lead postwar alliances e. whether collective security was possible in the postwar world Answer: a 3) The term "Iron Curtain" refers to __________. a. the border between North and South Korea b. the military operation in which the United States dropped the atom bomb on Japan c. the railroad system that was restored in Europe after World War II ended d. the separation between Soviet-dominated Europe and Western Europe e. the seemingly insurmountable class divide in postwar Western Europe Answer: d 4) Which country was politically controlled by the Soviet Union after World War II? a. Poland b. Norway c. Austria d. Turkey e. Denmark Answer: a 5) The disarmament plan that the Truman administration proposed to the United Nations after World War II was called __________. a. the Potsdam Conference b. the Baruch Plan c. the Manhattan Project d. the Cold War Treaty e. Containment Answer: b 6) George Kennan's "containment" policy proposed __________. a. long-term neutrality for the United States with respect to European affairs b. a series of aggressive maneuvers toward the Soviet Union c. efforts to stop the expansion of Russian control and communism d. a return to prewar isolationist policies e. a coup to replace communism with democracy in Europe and Asia Answer: c 7) In 1946 and 1947, conflict in which countries caused the Truman administration to worry about the rise of Soviet power and the spread of communism around the globe? a. Egypt and Iran b. Sweden and Norway c. Belgium and France d. Vietnam and Japan e. Greece and Turkey Answer: e 8) The Truman Doctrine stated that American policy would be to __________. a. remain isolated from European and Asian affairs b. take a more active part in rebuilding the war-ravaged Soviet economy c. use military force to defend China against Soviet aggression d. support free peoples who were resisting the Soviet Union or its surrogates e. help create democratic governments in the emerging nations of Africa Answer: d 9) The Marshall Plan proposed __________. a. infusing massive amounts of American capital into Western Europe b. bolstering the German army to prevent the spread of communism c. an international effort to stop postwar global inflation d. that all nations should immediately destroy their atomic weapons e. dividing Germany into several areas of military occupation Answer: a 10) The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) __________. a. gave the Soviet Union more leeway in spreading communism in Europe b. confirmed that the Soviet Union would halt its expansion in Europe and Asia c. assured European countries that the United States would help defend them d. committed the United States to an isolationist policy in the future e. gave the United States the right to import goods tariff-free from Western Europe Answer: c 11) What was the Berlin airlift? a. a state-of-the-art transportation system designed to revive the postwar German economy b. a top-secret method of transporting American spies into and out of the Soviet Union and its satellites c. a military operation to bring supplies to troops and civilians in Soviet-controlled Berlin d. the first plane capable of dropping a hydrogen bomb anywhere in the world e. a mission to bomb Berlin after the Soviet Union cut the city off from American, British, and French forces Answer: c 12) The National Security Act of 1947 established the __________. a. American embassy in Moscow b. Navy SEALs c. Air Force d. Department of Homeland Security e. Central Intelligence Agency Answer: e 13) As a result of Cold War military reforms, the __________ became the dominant branch of the American armed forces. a. Navy b. Army c. National Guard d. Marines e. Air Force Answer: e 14) After the Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb, Truman appointed a committee to explore the possibility of __________. a. using biological weapons b. building a hydrogen bomb c. improving stealth planes d. experimenting on people to create "super soldiers" e. sabotaging Soviet efforts to improve their weapons arsenal Answer: b 15) The defense policy statement known as NSC-68 __________. a. proposed to cut funding from the American military b. advocated a massive expansion of the American military c. allocated funds to Western Europe to combat the threat of communism d. prohibited the development of the hydrogen bomb e. emphasized the need to rely on diplomacy to deal with the Soviets Answer: b 16) Where did the showdown in Asia occur between the United States and the Soviet Union? a. China b. Japan c. Vietnam d. Korea e. Cambodia Answer: d 17) General MacArthur gave President Truman erroneous advice during the Korean War when he advised Truman to __________. a. authorize an invasion of North Korea because he thought that China would not attack U.S. troops b. retreat from the 38th parallel into the safety of South Korea because he thought China would attack c. withdraw troops from Korea altogether because he thought that China and the Soviet Union would obliterate the U.S. forces d. use diplomacy to negotiate peace because he thought military efforts would be ineffective e. drop an atom bomb on Seoul because he thought the Chinese would then be afraid to occupy the city Answer: a 18) In 1948, President Truman tried to __________. a. win the presidential election with the worst smear campaign in U.S. history b. merge the Democratic and Republican parties in his support c. convert the entire Democratic party into Dixiecrats d. abolish New Deal programs that upset conservatives e. perpetuate New Deal legislation Answer: e 19) The Taft-Hartley Act was a 1947 bill that outlawed __________. a. some labor union activities b. the formation of labor unions c. racial discrimination in hiring practices d. gender discrimination in hiring practices e. many child labor practices Answer: a 20) The most famous disclosure of espionage activities in the U.S. government in the late 1940s involved the case of __________. a. Alger Hiss b. Richard Nixon c. George C. Marshall d. Thomas E. Dewey e. Henry A. Wallace Answer: a 21) Julius and Ethel Rosenberg __________. a. helped the CIA break a Soviet spy ring in the United States b. were executed for passing American atomic secrets to the Soviet Union c. were responsible for exposing Alger Hiss as a communist d. admitted to being responsible for heinous war crimes during the Korean War e. were American spies who shared valuable information about the Soviet Union Answer: b 22) Joseph McCarthy led the crusade against alleged __________ in American government during the 1950s. a. embezzlers b. interventionists c. communists d. racists e. isolationists Answer: c 23) Which political party made significant gains in Washington in the 1950s, capturing the presidency in 1952? a. the Republican party b. the Democratic party c. the Libertarian party d. the Dixiecrats e. the Progressive party Answer: a 24) What was Eisenhower's major campaign pledge? a. to bolster the economy with thousands of new jobs b. to support labor unions in their fight for fair employment laws c. to destroy the Soviet Union d. to stop the creation of weapons of mass destruction e. to end the Korean War Answer: e 25) What were the big issues of the 1952 presidential campaign? a. the economy, labor reform, and family values b. the economy and the Korean War c. labor reform and communism d. the Korean War, communism, and government corruption e. government corruption, the economy, and civil rights Answer: e 26) How did the Allies decide to split up the reparations in postwar Germany? a. The Soviet Union would take all the war reparations from Germany. b. The United States would take all the war reparations from Germany. c. Each country would take reparations from its own occupation zone. d. Each country would take reparations from every section of Germany. e. No country would take war reparations from Germany. Answer: c 27) The Soviet Union first learned of the American atomic bomb __________. a. from President Roosevelt during the Yalta Conference b. at the Potsdam Conference c. when Truman invited Stalin to see a film of a test d. through the use of espionage e. when the first one was dropped on Hiroshima Answer: d 28) What effect would the Baruch Plan have had on America? a. It would have given the United States a monopoly on atomic weapons. b. It would have neutralized America's military advantage. c. It would have returned the United States to isolationist foreign policies. d. It would have had a catastrophic effect on the American military. e. It would have greatly decreased American power overseas. Answer: a 29) The Soviet Union approached disarmament discussions after World War II with a plan to __________. a. gradually reduce the number of weapons of mass destruction b. give atomic bombs to all the countries in the United Nations c. destroy all existing atomic bombs and ban the production of new ones d. give the United States a military advantage so it could serve as an international peacekeeping force e. give Russia the world's only atomic bombs so it could serve as an international peacekeeping force Answer: c 30) What was the biggest factor in placing the United States on a collision course with the Soviet Union? a. the American commitment to stopping the spread of communism b. the American commitment to spreading Christianity around the globe c. the American commitment to improving international trade d. the Soviet commitment to improving international trade e. the Soviet commitment to spreading Catholicism around the globe Answer: a 31) Why were people in Italy and France voting for communist parties in 1947? a. They were drawn to the irresistibly charismatic communist leaders. b. They felt discontent due to economic problems and food shortages. c. They were responding to pressure and threats from the Soviet Union. d. They wanted to defy the American anti-Communist attitude. e. There were few other organized political parties in postwar Europe. Answer: b 32) What effect did the Marshall Plan have? a. It had very little effect because it was not carried out effectively. b. It inspired the Soviet Union to continue to expand its communist empire. c. It succeeded in forcing the Soviet Union to stop expanding its communist empire. d. It failed to revive the sagging postwar economies of Western Europe. e. It led to a successful financial recovery in Western Europe. Answer: e 33) The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed due to __________. a. European fears of Soviet military aggression b. European fears of American military aggression c. American fears of Chinese military aggression d. Soviet fears of Chinese military aggression e. Soviet fears of American military aggression Answer: a 34) What effect did the formation of NATO have on the Cold War? a. It changed the Cold War into a full-scale military confrontation. b. It intensified Russian fears of the West and escalated the Cold War. c. It had no effect on the Cold War. d. It decreased Russian fears of the West and lessened the intensity of the Cold War. e. It dissolved the tensions between Russia and the United States and ended the Cold War. Answer: b 35) In order to test the resolve of his American, British, and French opponents, in 1948 Stalin __________. a. tested his first atom bomb b. invaded China c. invaded France d. initiated a blockade of Berlin e. began shooting down American planes over Germany Answer: d 36) The passage of the National Security Act in 1947 __________. a. indicated America's desire to decrease its military strength b. acted to coordinate and unify America's military establishment c. served only to further divide the Defense Department d. weakened the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the United States e. added unnecessary bureaucracy to matters of defense Answer: b 37) The defense policy known as NSC-68 was based on the premise that __________. a. isolationism should continue to be a major part of American foreign policy b. appeasement of aggressive foreign powers should continue to be a major part of American foreign policy c. the Soviet Union wanted to take over the world and was a threat to the United States d. military spending was out of control and needed to be curbed immediately e. the United States was now so powerful that it did not need to worry about threats from foreign powers Answer: c 38) Around the time of the Chinese Civil War, Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists __________. a. lost support due to rampant government corruption and extreme inflation b. lost support due to the violence of his government's repression of the Chinese c. gained support because the Chinese middle class was finally flourishing d. gained support because of Chiang's pledge to end government corruption e. had already long since faded as a factor in the Chinese political world Answer: a 39) How did the United States react to the 1950 treaty between Stalin and Mao? a. It congratulated Stalin and Mao on their treaty and offered to join their new alliance. b. It openly threatened Stalin with war if he contributed to the spread of communism in Asia. c. It warned the Soviet Union to stay out of East Asian politics. d. It wanted to keep its alliance with China and sought to make peace with the new regime. e. It refused to recognize the new Chinese regime and focused on Japan as its main ally in Asia. Answer: e 40) After General MacArthur's victory at Inchon, Korea, Truman __________. a. ordered UN troops to cross the Yellow Sea and attack China b. ordered UN troops not to advance beyond the 38th parallel c. withdrew UN troops from Korea because he had made his point to Stalin d. shifted his military goal from restoring the 38th parallel to unifying Korea by force e. declared the Korean War over with a UN victory Answer: d 41) What was the most significant result of the Korean War? a. It vindicated the United States in the eyes of the world. b. It succeeded in unifying Korea for thirty years. c. The war brought about massive American rearmament. d. The war reinforced Truman's popularity with the American people. e. It inhibited further expansionism on the part of the Soviet Union. Answer: c 42) Truman won the 1948 election because of the way he handled __________. a. the Cold War b. labor issues c. inflation d. the Korean War e. New Deal reforms Answer: a 43) Truman's prospects in the 1948 election looked __________. a. very promising because he had successfully kept inflation down after World War II b. promising because he unified Democrats and even some GOP leaders in his support c. promising because he remained wildly popular with the public throughout his term d. bleak because Democratic support had been split among several candidates e. bleak because he lacked the funds to travel the country and garner support Answer: d 44) Why did Truman establish the Loyalty Review Board? a. to interrogate citizens suspected of being political activists b. to investigate government employees as potential communists c. to investigate accusations of cowardice and treason in the military d. to reward veterans of the Korean War for bravery and valor e. to appoint campaign contributors to positions of power Answer: b 45) How did Joseph McCarthy develop such power over his fellow senators? a. He physically threatened them. b. He blackmailed them. c. He instilled fear in them. d. He bribed them with campaign contributions. e. He was wildly popular with both the president and the people. Answer: c 46) How did President Eisenhower deal with Joseph McCarthy? a. He asked McCarthy to investigate military officers. b. He ordered McCarthy to focus on celebrities, not government employees. c. He openly attacked McCarthy and quickly ended his career. d. He gave McCarthy his unconditional support. e. He waited for McCarthy's zeal to be his own undoing. Answer: e 47) What was one effect of McCarthyism? a. a political and cultural conformity that discouraged dissent b. an expansion of the defense of freedom of speech rights c. an intellectual revolution that encouraged new ideas d. a drop in literacy rates among American youth e. a wider appreciation of diversity in the United States Answer: a 48) Why did the United States implement the Marshall Plan? a. to strengthen the U.S. military and win the arms race b. to prevent Civil War in China and stop the spread of communism c. to placate Stalin and end the Cold War d. to improve the Western European economy and stop the spread of communism e. to convince the American public to engage in open war with the Soviet Union Answer: d 49) The U.S. intervention in China differed from its intervention in Korea because the United States __________. a. could only respond with diplomacy in the Chinese conflict, but gave supplies and funds to North Korea b. responded with all-out war in China, but refused to get involved in the Korean conflict c. extracted itself from the conflict when civil war broke out in China but sent troops to South Korea's aid d. sent troops to China when civil war broke out, but only sent money to South Korea when the violence began e. intervened with diplomatic efforts and supplies in North Korea, but did not intervene in any way in China's civil war Answer: c 50) Which statement best describes the transition from war to peace in America after World War II? a. The transition caused inflation and labor unrest. b. The transition was an exceptionally smooth one. c. The transition solved the wartime economic problems. d. The transition was a period of contentment for the American people. e. The transition gave Democrats an advantage over Republicans in the next elections. Answer: a Essay Questions 51) How did the origins of the Cold War reflect different American and Soviet traditions, as well as their different needs and interests in Europe after World War II? Answer: The origins of the Cold War reflected different American and Soviet traditions, as well as their divergent needs and interests in Europe after World War II. American Traditions: • The United States had a tradition of democracy, capitalism, and individual freedoms. • It had a history of isolationism, but World War II had changed this perception, leading to a more interventionist approach. • The U.S. saw the spread of communism as a threat to its interests and believed in containing communism to prevent its expansion. Soviet Traditions: • The Soviet Union had a tradition of authoritarianism, socialism, and collective control. • It had a history of being invaded by Western powers and was wary of future threats, leading to a desire for security through buffer states in Eastern Europe. • The Soviet Union aimed to spread communism worldwide to create a more secure environment for itself. Different Needs and Interests: • After World War II, the U.S. aimed to rebuild Europe through the Marshall Plan, promoting economic recovery and stability, which would benefit its capitalist interests. • The Soviet Union, on the other hand, sought to establish a sphere of influence in Eastern Europe to create a buffer zone against potential future invasions and to spread communism. • The Soviet Union's control over Eastern Europe was seen as a threat to U.S. interests and led to tensions between the two superpowers. In summary, the origins of the Cold War were rooted in the different political, economic, and security interests of the United States and the Soviet Union, as well as their contrasting ideologies and historical experiences. 52) What was the policy of "containment"? Who were its leading proponents, and how did they implement this policy between 1947 and 1950? Answer: The policy of "containment" was a U.S. foreign policy strategy adopted after World War II to prevent the spread of communism. Its leading proponent was George F. Kennan, an American diplomat and Soviet expert. Between 1947 and 1950, the United States implemented containment through several key actions: 1. Truman Doctrine (1947): President Harry S. Truman announced that the U.S. would provide military and economic assistance to countries threatened by communism. This doctrine was first applied to Greece and Turkey. 2. Marshall Plan (1948-1952): Officially known as the European Recovery Program, the Marshall Plan provided economic assistance to Western European countries to help them rebuild after World War II and prevent the spread of communism. 3. Berlin Airlift (1948-1949): In response to the Soviet blockade of West Berlin, the U.S. and its allies airlifted food and supplies to the city to sustain its population and demonstrate their commitment to West Berlin's security and freedom. 4. Formation of NATO (1949): The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was established as a collective defense alliance among Western European and North American countries to counter the Soviet threat. 5. Korean War (1950-1953): The U.S. intervened in the Korean War to prevent the spread of communism in Korea, which had been divided into North Korea (communist) and South Korea (non-communist) after World War II. Overall, the policy of containment was aimed at preventing the further expansion of communism and maintaining the balance of power in the post-World War II world. 53) How did the Cold War bring about reforms in the U.S. military and intelligence establishments in the 1940s and 1950s? Answer: The Cold War brought about significant reforms in the U.S. military and intelligence establishments in the 1940s and 1950s in response to the perceived threat posed by the Soviet Union. These reforms included: 1. National Security Act of 1947: This legislation created the Department of Defense, which unified the military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force) under a single secretary of defense. It also established the National Security Council (NSC) to advise the president on security matters and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to gather intelligence and conduct covert operations. 2. Military Expansion: The Cold War led to a significant expansion of the U.S. military. The U.S. maintained a large standing military force, developed a powerful nuclear arsenal, and established military bases around the world to counter Soviet influence. 3. Nuclear Strategy: The Cold War prompted the development of a nuclear strategy known as "mutually assured destruction" (MAD), which aimed to deter Soviet aggression by ensuring that any nuclear attack would result in the total destruction of both the attacker and the defender. 4. Intelligence Gathering: The CIA played a key role in gathering intelligence on Soviet activities and monitoring communist movements around the world. It also engaged in covert operations to influence foreign governments and support anti-communist forces. 5. Technological Advances: The Cold War spurred technological advances in areas such as missile defense, surveillance, and communication. This included the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), spy satellites, and encrypted communication systems. Overall, the Cold War led to significant changes in the U.S. military and intelligence establishments, shaping their structure, strategy, and capabilities to meet the challenges posed by the Soviet Union and the broader global conflict. 54) Why did Americans become concerned about the loyalty of government officials in the late 1940s? Why was Senator Joseph McCarthy so popular with the public? What brought about his downfall? Answer: Americans became concerned about the loyalty of government officials in the late 1940s due to the escalating tensions of the Cold War and fears of communist infiltration in the United States. The Soviet Union's development of nuclear weapons, the spread of communism in Eastern Europe, and the fall of China to communism in 1949 heightened anxieties about the influence of communism in American society. Senator Joseph McCarthy became popular with the public by capitalizing on these fears. In a speech in February 1950, McCarthy claimed to have a list of known communists working in the State Department. He used exaggerated and often unsubstantiated accusations of communist infiltration in the government and other institutions to gain attention and support. McCarthy's downfall came about largely due to his own actions. His reckless accusations and abusive tactics during televised hearings of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, particularly during the Army-McCarthy hearings in 1954, led to a public backlash. McCarthy's lack of concrete evidence to support his claims, combined with his confrontational and bullying demeanor, eroded his credibility and support. In December 1954, the Senate voted to censure McCarthy for conduct unbecoming a senator, effectively ending his influence and marking the decline of McCarthyism as a political force in the United States. Test Bank for American Stories: A History of the United States H. W. Brands, T. H. Breen, R. Hal Williams, Ariela J. Gross 9780205990801, 9780205960897, 9780205962020, 9780133794113
Download
Close
Close
