Chapter Thirty
The Turbulent Sixties
Multiple Choice
1. What was one major factor that helped Kennedy defeat Nixon in the 1960 presidential
election?
A) Kennedy’s performance in the first televised presidential debate
B) Nixon’s poor performance in a presidential radio debate
C) Kennedy’s extensive political experience compared with Nixon’s
D) Kennedy’s warm relationship with the Eisenhower administration
E) The nation was familiar with Kennedy, but Nixon was a newcomer to politics
Answer: A
Rationale:
Kennedy's performance in the first televised presidential debate was a major factor that
helped him defeat Nixon in the 1960 presidential election. The debate was the first of its kind,
and Kennedy's poised and confident demeanor contrasted with Nixon's nervous and sweaty
appearance, making a favorable impression on viewers and boosting Kennedy's public image.
2. John F. Kennedy’s domestic program was known as the ________.
A) Great Society
B) New Deal
C) Fair Deal
D) New Frontier
E) Camelot Era
Answer: D
Rationale:
John F. Kennedy’s domestic program was known as the New Frontier. This initiative aimed to
address various domestic issues such as economic growth, education, healthcare, and civil
rights, reflecting Kennedy’s vision for advancing America into a new era of progress and
prosperity.
3. What was Kennedy’s top priority when he assumed the office of the presidency?
A) civil rights
B) foreign policy
C) health care
D) poverty
E) the economy
Answer: B
Rationale:
Kennedy's top priority when he assumed the office of the presidency was foreign policy. He
faced numerous challenges, including the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the
escalating conflict in Vietnam, which required immediate attention and decisive action on the
international stage.
4. What did President Kennedy do to help South Vietnam in 1961?
A) He praised its government but took no action.
B) He sent money and advisers.
C) He sent combat troops.
D) He threatened North Vietnam.
E) He badgered Europe into sending aid.
Answer: B
Rationale:
President Kennedy sent money and advisers to help South Vietnam in 1961 as part of the
United States' efforts to support the South Vietnamese government in its fight against the
communist Viet Cong insurgency and to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.
5. Kennedy’s failed 1961 covert operation to overthrow Cuba’s Fidel Castro was ________.
A) the Monroe Affair
B) the Cuban Missile Crisis
C) the Bay of Pigs invasion
D) Operation Castro
E) the Havana Project
Answer: C
Rationale:
Kennedy’s failed 1961 covert operation to overthrow Cuba’s Fidel Castro was the Bay of Pigs
invasion. This CIA-led operation involved an attempted invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles,
but it ended in disaster, embarrassing the Kennedy administration and strengthening Castro’s
position in Cuba.
6. The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation that came very close to being a nuclear
conflict between which two nations?
A) Cuba and China
B) Cuba and the Dominican Republic
C) the United States and China
D) the United States and Russia
E) Russia and Cuba
Answer: D
Rationale:
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation that came very close to being a nuclear conflict
between the United States and Russia (then known as the Soviet Union). The crisis was
sparked by the discovery of Soviet ballistic missiles in Cuba, leading to a tense standoff
between the two superpowers.
7. Which African-American individual was appointed to a prominent post in the federal
government during the Kennedy administration?
A) A. Philip Randolph
B) Thurgood Marshall
C) Martin Luther King, Jr.
D) Malcolm X
E) Stokely Carmichael
Answer: B
Rationale:
Thurgood Marshall was appointed to a prominent post in the federal government during the
Kennedy administration. In 1961, President Kennedy appointed Marshall as a judge for the
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, marking a significant milestone in the
civil rights movement.
8. What was the 1961 “freedom ride”?
A) a march on Washington in which participants rode bicycles
B) a sit-in during which thousands of college students experimented with drugs
C) a protest in which college students blocked the routes of segregated buses and trains
D) a protest in which thousands of people crossed the United States on motorcycles
E) a protest that tested the desegregation laws on interstate transportation
Answer: E
Rationale:
The 1961 “freedom ride” was a protest that tested the desegregation laws on interstate
transportation. Organized by civil rights activists, interracial groups of volunteers traveled by
bus through the Southern United States to challenge segregated facilities and practices on
interstate buses and bus terminals.
9. Who put the most pressure on Kennedy to openly support racial justice?
A) A. Philip Randolph
B) Thurgood Marshall
C) Martin Luther King, Jr.
D) Malcolm X
E) Stokely Carmichael
Answer: C
Rationale:
Martin Luther King, Jr. put the most pressure on Kennedy to openly support racial justice. As
a prominent leader of the civil rights movement, King and other activists organized
nonviolent protests, marches, and demonstrations to demand an end to racial segregation and
discrimination, urging the Kennedy administration to take action on civil rights issues.
10. What was one of Lyndon Johnson’s greatest assets in the White House?
A) his knowledge of the legislative process
B) his acclaimed public speaking skills
C) his polish and sophistication
D) his excellent relationship with the media
E) his unassuming presence that led others to underestimate him
Answer: A
Rationale:
One of Lyndon Johnson’s greatest assets in the White House was his knowledge of the
legislative process. Having served as a senator and as Senate Majority Leader, Johnson
possessed extensive experience and expertise in navigating the complexities of Congress,
which proved invaluable in advancing his ambitious domestic agenda as president.
11. When Johnson became president after the assassination of Kennedy in 1963, he focused
first on ________.
A) ending the Cold War
B) passing JFK’s tax and civil rights bills
C) escalating the war in Vietnam
D) boosting the military
E) bolstering international relationships
Answer: B
Rationale:
When Lyndon Johnson became president after the assassination of Kennedy in 1963, he
focused first on passing JFK’s tax and civil rights bills. Johnson saw it as essential to honor
Kennedy's legacy by advancing the legislative agenda that Kennedy had championed during
his presidency, including tax cuts and civil rights reforms.
12. Senator Barry Goldwater pushed for ________ during the presidential election of 1964.
A) establishing peace with the Soviet Union
B) making further advances in civil rights
C) increasing the size of the federal government
D) providing more aid to the unemployed
E) ending the welfare state in America
Answer: E
Rationale:
During the presidential election of 1964, Senator Barry Goldwater pushed for ending the
welfare state in America. Goldwater, the Republican nominee, advocated for limited
government intervention and individual freedom, opposing the expansion of social welfare
programs and advocating for a rollback of the New Deal policies.
13. Lyndon Johnson’s reform program was called the ________.
A) Fair Deal
B) New Frontier
C) Great Society
D) Great Future
E) Morning in America
Answer: C
Rationale:
Lyndon Johnson’s reform program was called the Great Society. This ambitious domestic
agenda aimed to address poverty, racial injustice, education, healthcare, and urban renewal,
envisioning a more equitable and prosperous society for all Americans.
14. In his health care program, President Lyndon Johnson secured ________.
A) free health care for all Americans
B) the Medicare program for the elderly
C) more rights for private insurance companies
D) a restriction on health benefits for welfare recipients
E) a free prescription drug program
Answer: B
Rationale:
In his health care program, President Lyndon Johnson secured the Medicare program for the
elderly. Medicare, signed into law in 1965 as part of Johnson’s Great Society initiatives,
provided health insurance coverage for Americans aged 65 and older, addressing a critical
need for affordable healthcare for senior citizens.
15. In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson sent American soldiers to ________ in order to
prevent a communist takeover there.
A) Cuba
B) Argentina
C) the Dominican Republic
D) Lebanon
E) Madagascar
Answer: C
Rationale:
In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson sent American soldiers to the Dominican Republic in
order to prevent a communist takeover there. Johnson feared that the Dominican Republic
would fall under communist influence following a coup, leading to U.S. intervention to
stabilize the situation and prevent further escalation.
16. In Vietnam, American military strategists counted heavily on ________.
A) enthusiasm for the war among the public to generate recruits
B) superior American firepower, especially air strikes
C) superior American counterinsurgency tactics
D) the overwhelming number of American troops
E) the overwhelming support from the Vietnamese people
Answer: B
Rationale:
In Vietnam, American military strategists counted heavily on superior American firepower,
especially air strikes. The U.S. military relied on air superiority and heavy bombing
campaigns as part of its strategy to combat the Viet Cong insurgency and North Vietnamese
forces during the Vietnam War.
17. The most prominent student protest organization of the 1960s was the ________.
A) Students of America
B) Students for a Democratic Society
C) Yippie Movement
D) Southern Christian Leadership Conference
E) Young Republicans
Answer: B
Rationale:
The most prominent student protest organization of the 1960s was the Students for a
Democratic Society (SDS). SDS played a leading role in organizing student activism against
issues such as the Vietnam War, racism, and social injustice, advocating for radical social and
political change.
18. What was the main issue that American college students protested during the sixties?
A) the election of Richard Nixon
B) the Vietnam War
C) Lyndon Johnson’s education policies
D) the civil rights movement
E) tax increases for the middle class
Answer: B
Rationale:
The main issue that American college students protested during the sixties was the Vietnam
War. College campuses became hotbeds of anti-war activism, with students organizing
protests, demonstrations, and sit-ins to oppose U.S. military involvement in Vietnam and
demand peace.
19. In the spring of 1968, students seized five buildings at ________ for eight days before
police regained control.
A) Arizona State University
B) Duke University
C) the University of California at Berkeley
D) Harvard University
E) Columbia University
Answer: E
Rationale:
In the spring of 1968, students seized five buildings at Columbia University for eight days
before police regained control. The Columbia University protests were part of a larger wave
of student activism during the 1960s, highlighting tensions over issues such as racism,
Vietnam, and university governance.
20. What was the touchstone of the new counterculture of the sixties?
A) journalism
B) photography
C) painting
D) TV programs
E) music
Answer: E
Rationale:
The touchstone of the new counterculture of the sixties was music. Music played a central
role in shaping the cultural and social movements of the era, with genres such as rock and
roll, folk, and protest music serving as expressions of dissent, rebellion, and social change.
21. Who advocated “black power” as the new leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating
Committee in the 1960s?
A) Martin Luther King, Jr.
B) A. Phillip Randolph
C) Stokely Carmichael
D) Thurgood Marshall
E) Robert Weaver
Answer: C
Rationale:
Stokely Carmichael advocated “black power” as the new leader of the Student Nonviolent
Coordinating Committee in the 1960s. Carmichael popularized the phrase "black power"
during the civil rights movement, emphasizing racial pride, self-determination, and
community empowerment as essential components of African-American liberation and
activism.
22. During the 1960s and 1970s, César Chávez ________.
A) led a communist takeover of Nicaragua
B) organized a Chicano political movement known as La Raza Unida
C) organized California grape and lettuce workers to strike for higher wages
D) was the first Hispanic player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame
E) campaigned for bilingual education programs in public schools in California and Texas
Answer: C
Rationale:
During the 1960s and 1970s, César Chávez organized California grape and lettuce workers to
strike for higher wages. As the co-founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW), Chávez led
nonviolent protests and strikes to advocate for the rights and improved working conditions of
farmworkers, particularly those of Mexican and Filipino descent.
23. Who wrote the 1963 book The Feminine Mystique?
A) Jacqueline Kennedy
B) Rosa Parks
C) Ella Baker
D) Betty Friedan
E) Coretta Scott King
Answer: D
Rationale:
Betty Friedan wrote the 1963 book The Feminine Mystique. Friedan's groundbreaking work
challenged the traditional roles of women in American society, sparking a feminist movement
and advocating for gender equality, women's rights, and opportunities beyond domesticity.
24. The turning point of the Vietnam War, which convinced U.S. leaders that the war would
end in a stalemate, was the ________.
A) Tet offensive
B) Gulf of Tonkin affair
C) Battle of Pleiku
D) Battle of Haiphong
E) massacre at My Lai
Answer: A
Rationale:
The turning point of the Vietnam War, which convinced U.S. leaders that the war would end
in a stalemate, was the Tet offensive. The Tet offensive, launched by the Viet Cong and North
Vietnamese forces in 1968, challenged the perception of U.S. military progress in Vietnam
and eroded public support for the war effort.
25. Which 1968 presidential candidate cut deeply into Hubert Humphrey’s base by running
on the American Independent Party ticket?
A) Eugene McCarthy
B) William Westmoreland
C) Timothy Leary
D) George C. Wallace
E) Huey Newton
Answer: D
Rationale:
George C. Wallace, running on the American Independent Party ticket, cut deeply into Hubert
Humphrey’s base during the 1968 presidential election. Wallace, a segregationist and former
governor of Alabama, attracted support from disaffected white voters with his populist and
anti-civil rights platform.
26. How did Kennedy secure the African-American vote in the 1960 presidential election?
A) He promised to defend African nations from communism.
B) He promised to appoint an African American as his running mate.
C) He supported the release of Martin Luther King, Jr. from jail.
D) He publicly criticized southern Democrats who supported segregation.
E) He was a close personal friend of Stokely Carmichael.
Answer: C
Rationale:
Kennedy secured the African-American vote in the 1960 presidential election by supporting
the release of Martin Luther King, Jr. from jail. Kennedy's intervention in King's arrest
demonstrated his willingness to stand with the civil rights movement and earned him support
from African-American voters.
27. Why did the United States become involved in the conflict between North and South
Vietnam in 1961?
A) to stop the spread of communism from North Vietnam to South Vietnam
B) to gain control of valuable natural resources in South Vietnam
C) to honor obligations to Russia from the treaty ending World War II
D) to retaliate for North Vietnam’s involvement in the Bay of Pigs operation
E) to stop South Vietnam’s bloody takeover of North Vietnam
Answer: A
Rationale:
The United States became involved in the conflict between North and South Vietnam in 1961
to stop the spread of communism from North Vietnam to South Vietnam. This intervention
was part of the broader containment policy aimed at preventing the expansion of communist
influence during the Cold War.
28. Why did Kennedy authorize a covert mission in which more than a thousand Cuban exiles
invaded Cuba?
A) to check the island for nuclear weapons
B) to topple the regime of Fidel Castro
C) to gather information about Castro’s relationship with Khrushchev
D) to steal classified documents related to the conflict in Vietnam
E) to spark an anticommunist movement among the Cuban people
Answer: B
Rationale:
Kennedy authorized the covert mission, known as the Bay of Pigs invasion, with the aim of
overthrowing Fidel Castro's regime in Cuba. The operation was carried out by Cuban exiles
trained and supported by the CIA, but it ultimately failed and led to embarrassment for the
Kennedy administration.
29. How was the Cuban Missile Crisis resolved?
A) Cuba removed its nuclear missiles in exchange for America’s promise not to attack the
Soviet Union.
B) America removed its nuclear missiles from Cuba in exchange for Russian promises not to
aid North Vietnam.
C) America removed its nuclear missiles from Cuba in exchange for Russia’s promise not to
invade Cuba.
D) Russia removed its nuclear missiles from Cuba in exchange for America’s promise not to
invade North Vietnam.
E) Russia removed its nuclear missiles from Cuba in exchange for America’s promise not to
invade Cuba.
Answer: E
Rationale:
The Cuban Missile Crisis was resolved when the United States agreed not to invade Cuba,
and in return, the Soviet Union removed its nuclear missiles from Cuba. This agreement
helped to de-escalate the tension between the two superpowers and avert a potential nuclear
conflict.
30. John F. Kennedy gave civil rights legislation lukewarm support because he ________.
A) feared the possibility of alienating southern Democrats
B) did not think the country was ready to consider it
C) did not want to encourage militant African-American leaders
D) thought it was unnecessary and should be left to the states
E) thought there was little a president could do to combat racism
Answer: A
Rationale:
Kennedy's lukewarm support for civil rights legislation stemmed from his political
calculations regarding the Democratic Party's support base. He feared that advocating
strongly for civil rights could alienate southern Democrats, who held significant power and
influence within the party at the time. Kennedy's priority was to maintain Democratic unity
and avoid risking his broader political agenda by pushing aggressively for civil rights
legislation.
31. What finally caused Kennedy to support racial justice openly?
A) Kennedy visited segregated schools in the South.
B) Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his “I Have a Dream” speech.
C) Kennedy wanted a united country to fight the war in Vietnam.
D) Authorities attacked child protesters in Birmingham, Alabama.
E) The Democratic Party threatened to withdraw support if he didn’t speak out.
Answer: D
Rationale:
Kennedy's support for racial justice became more pronounced after authorities attacked child
protesters in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963. The televised images of violence against
peaceful demonstrators shocked the nation and pressured Kennedy to take a stronger stance
on civil rights.
32. Which was one major difference between John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson?
A) Kennedy was more committed to a reform agenda than was Johnson.
B) Johnson was considered more stylish than Kennedy.
C) Kennedy was better at manipulating Congress than Johnson.
D) Johnson was more popular with the media than Kennedy.
E) Kennedy was a more polished public speaker than Johnson.
Answer: E
Rationale:
One major difference between Kennedy and Johnson was their public speaking styles.
Kennedy was known for his eloquence and charisma, while Johnson's speaking style was less
polished.
33. When President Johnson convinced Congress to pass Kennedy’s proposed tax cut in
1964, the result was ________.
A) huge budget deficits
B) a sustained economic boom
C) protests from welfare recipients
D) a major recession
E) cutbacks in certain social services
Answer: B
Rationale:
Johnson's successful passage of Kennedy's proposed tax cut in 1964 contributed to a
sustained economic boom. The tax cut aimed to stimulate economic growth by putting more
money into the hands of consumers and businesses, thereby boosting spending and
investment. This injection of capital into the economy helped fuel economic expansion,
leading to increased employment, rising wages, and overall prosperity during the mid-1960s.
Consequently, the result of the tax cut was a period of robust economic growth and prosperity
rather than the negative outcomes listed in the other options.
34. Which statement about Johnson’s war on poverty is correct?
A) It was a failure; the poverty level actually rose while the program was in effect.
B) It was barely passed by Congress and was never actually implemented.
C) It lacked effective funding and, in the end, helped only about 80,000 people.
D) It emphasized self-help and brought almost ten million people out of poverty.
E) It gave money directly to the poor and nearly solved the nation’s poverty problem.
Answer: D
Rationale:
Johnson's war on poverty, part of his Great Society agenda, emphasized self-help and
community action but also implemented programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and food stamps.
While it didn't completely eradicate poverty, it did bring millions of Americans out of poverty
through various social welfare programs.
35. Which statement about the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is correct?
A) It was strongly opposed by northern Republicans in the House and Senate.
B) It won President Johnson the public adulation he craved.
C) It reduced President Johnson’s popularity across the nation.
D) It had little effect on the voting practices of southern African Americans.
E) It led to a dramatic increase in African-American voting registration in the South.
Answer: E
Rationale:
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that aimed to overcome
legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising
their right to vote. It led to a significant increase in African-American voter registration,
particularly in the southern states where voter suppression tactics had been most prevalent.
36. The foreign policy of Lyndon Johnson ________.
A) was dramatically different from that of John Kennedy
B) was simply a continuation of Kennedy’s policies
C) indicated his strong opposition to the Cold War
D) indicated his acceptance of existing communist states
E) was isolationist and aloof by nature
Answer: B
Rationale:
Johnson's foreign policy largely continued the initiatives started by Kennedy, such as the
commitment to containing communism and supporting allies in the Cold War. Johnson
inherited Kennedy's foreign policy team and largely adhered to the same principles and
strategies in dealing with global challenges.
37. What caused the Gulf of Tonkin affair?
A) American covert operations in Vietnam led North Vietnam to attack a U.S. ship.
B) American intervention in Cuba led Castro to urge the North Vietnamese to attack U.S.
ships.
C) American hostility caused Khrushchev to ask the North Vietnamese to attack U.S. ships.
D) Russian hostility to North Vietnam caused Khrushchev to seize North Vietnamese ships.
E) North Vietnam attacked South Vietnamese ships carrying resources to the United States.
Answer: A
Rationale:
The Gulf of Tonkin incident involved alleged attacks on U.S. ships by North Vietnamese
forces. While the details remain disputed, it led to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which
granted President Johnson broad authority to escalate U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
38. In part, Lyndon Johnson wanted the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution to demonstrate the
American commitment to ________.
A) making Vietnam an American colony
B) remaining neutral in Vietnam
C) defending South Vietnam
D) invading North Vietnam
E) cooperating with Russia in the Vietnam conflict
Answer: C
Rationale:
Lyndon Johnson sought the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution to demonstrate American commitment
to defending South Vietnam against communist aggression. The resolution effectively
authorized increased U.S. military involvement in Vietnam.
39. The American bombing of North Vietnam in 1965 resulted in which of the following?
A) It proved an effective strategy, limiting North Vietnam’s participation in the war.
B) It destroyed North Vietnam’s major port facilities at Haiphong.
C) It greatly impeded communist supply lines to North Vietnam.
D) It garnered approval from the international community.
E) It was largely ineffective and did not stop the North Vietnamese.
Answer: E
Rationale:
The American bombing campaign in North Vietnam, known as Operation Rolling Thunder,
began in 1965 with the aim of halting the flow of troops and supplies from North to South
Vietnam. However, despite the extensive bombing raids over several years, the strategy
proved largely ineffective in achieving its objectives. North Vietnam's resilience, coupled
with its ability to adapt its logistical network and receive support from allies such as China
and the Soviet Union, allowed it to continue supporting the Viet Cong insurgency in the
South. Additionally, the bombing raids incurred significant civilian casualties and led to
widespread destruction without decisively altering the course of the war. Thus, the bombing
of North Vietnam in 1965 was largely ineffective and did not succeed in stopping the North
Vietnamese.
40. Lyndon Johnson must bear great responsibility for the American problems in the Vietnam
War because he ________.
A) failed to confront the American people with the stark reality of the war
B) was the first leader to commit American resources to fighting communists in Vietnam
C) was not fully committed to containment and strayed from Kennedy’s foreign policy
D) was more committed to the containment policy than his predecessors had been
E) took funding away from the war effort to prop up his Great Society programs
Answer: A
Rationale:
Johnson's failure to effectively communicate the realities and challenges of the Vietnam War
to the American people contributed to the erosion of public support for the conflict. His
administration often downplayed the difficulties faced in Vietnam, which led to
disillusionment and distrust among the American public.
41. Lyndon Johnson’s political downfall resulted primarily from ________.
A) his Latin American policy
B) his handling of the Vietnam War
C) the failure of his Great Society
D) his refusal to be a cold warrior
E) his advocacy of welfare programs
Answer: B
Rationale:
Johnson's political downfall was primarily attributed to his handling of the Vietnam War. The
escalation of the war, coupled with mounting casualties and public dissent, severely
undermined his presidency and led to his decision not to seek re-election in 1968.
42. How did African-American activism change toward the late 1960s?
A) It cooled off after African Americans achieved all of their goals.
B) It became even more committed to nonviolent resistance to racism.
C) It became more militant and shifted focus from social goals to economic goals.
D) It focused less on protest in the streets and more on progress through the courts.
E) It focused less on domestic social change and more on international social change.
Answer: C
Rationale:
African-American activism underwent a transformation in the late 1960s, marked by a shift
towards militancy and a greater emphasis on economic goals rather than solely social
objectives. This shift was exemplified by movements such as the Black Power movement,
which emerged as a response to perceived limitations of earlier civil rights efforts and aimed
to empower African Americans economically and politically. Leaders like Malcolm X and
organizations like the Black Panther Party advocated for self-defense, economic
empowerment, and community control as essential components of the struggle for racial
equality. The focus on economic goals included demands for fair employment, access to
housing, and economic opportunities, reflecting a broader recognition of systemic inequalities
beyond legal segregation.
43. What is one reason why Congress passed the Ethnic Heritage Studies Act of 1972?
A) to promote the idea of diversity as a positive force
B) to give employers the opportunity to learn about workers from different ethnic groups
C) to provide for the inclusion of different ethnic groups as mascots for team sports
D) to educate people in the agricultural industry about the plight of farm workers
E) to add questions about ethnic heritage and history to voter literacy tests
Answer: A
Rationale:
The Ethnic Heritage Studies Act of 1972 was passed to promote the idea of diversity as a
positive force in American society. It aimed to encourage the study and preservation of the
cultural heritage of various ethnic groups.
44. Which statement best describes the social change that American women experienced from
the 1920s to the 1960s?
A) In the 1960s, the media no longer portrayed and highlighted stereotypical gender roles as
it had during the 1920s.
B) In the 1960s, there were actually fewer women enrolled in college and professional
schools than there had been in the 1920s.
C) In the 1960s, there were many more women working in the medical and legal professions
than there had been in the 1920s.
D) In the 1960s, women were no longer relegated to stereotypical occupations, as they had
been in the 1920s.
E) In the 1960s, women were no longer expected to maintain the household and raise
children, as they had been in the 1920s.
Answer: B
Rationale:
Contrary to social progress in the 1920s, the 1960s saw a decline in the enrollment of women
in colleges and professional schools. This regression can be attributed to various societal
factors, including traditional gender roles and societal expectations.
45. Nixon’s election signaled a public reaction against the ________.
A) failure of the Democratic Party to bring about social reform
B) efforts to bring peace in Vietnam
C) successes of the civil rights movement
D) economic failures of the last Democratic president
E) liberal impulse to enact social reform
Answer: E
Rationale:
Nixon's election signaled a public reaction against the liberal impulse to enact social reform,
as his administration pursued a more conservative agenda and sought to roll back some of the
social welfare programs initiated by his predecessors.
46. What effect did the Vietnam War have on future U.S. foreign policy?
A) It caused America to pursue a more active containment policy.
B) It caused America to abandon its policy of containment.
C) It caused America to return to an isolationist policy abroad.
D) It caused America to refuse to cooperate with Asian nations for a decade.
E) It embarrassed America into abandoning international efforts for a decade.
Answer: B
Rationale:
The Vietnam War led to a reevaluation of U.S. foreign policy, resulting in a shift away from
the policy of containment. The war's failure highlighted the limitations of military
intervention and the need for a more nuanced approach to global affairs.
47. Which of the following was NOT a consequence of the Cuban Missile Crisis?
A) the end of the U.S.-Soviet arms race
B) the Soviet-American telephone hotline
C) an increase in Kennedy’s popularity among the public
D) a new maturity in Kennedy’s foreign policy
E) a belief among some that a hard-line policy was justified
Answer: A
Rationale:
The end of the U.S.-Soviet arms race was not a consequence of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
While the crisis prompted discussions on arms control and limitations, it did not immediately
result in the end of the arms race.
48. What is one reason why the Gulf of Tonkin affair was such a costly victory for Johnson?
A) Johnson became ill during the Gulf of Tonkin affair and never fully recovered his health.
B) The Gulf of Tonkin affair caused thousands of deaths, which soured America’s reputation.
C) The Gulf of Tonkin affair led Congress to reduce Johnson’s ability to use force in Vietnam.
D) Johnson became vulnerable to the charge of deliberately misleading Congress.
E) Johnson had to underfund his domestic social programs to finance the operation.
Answer: D
Rationale:
The Gulf of Tonkin affair was costly for Johnson because it led to allegations that he had
deliberately misled Congress about the events surrounding the incident, undermining his
credibility and public trust.
49. What were Johnson’s feelings about committing the United States to the war in Vietnam?
A) He worried about the consequences of either withdrawal or invasion so he committed to a
large-scale but limited military intervention.
B) He worried about the consequences of being too cautious so he committed the American
military to an all-out invasion of North Vietnam.
C) He was worried about the consequences of a U.S. troop presence so he withdrew troops to
Taiwan and Japan while he reconsidered his options.
D) He worried about the spread of communism so he committed American troops to two
fronts: in Vietnam and in China.
E) He was worried about domestic unrest in the United States, so he decided he could not
commit more than 10,000 troops to the effort.
Answer: A
Rationale:
Johnson's approach to the Vietnam War reflected a concern for the consequences of both
withdrawal and escalation. He opted for a strategy of large-scale but limited military
intervention, hoping to prevent the spread of communism without risking a full-scale war.
50. How did African-American activism affect social change for other ethnic groups?
A) Other ethnic groups were unimpressed with the strategies of African-American activists
and tried to enact social change in other ways.
B) Other ethnic groups had little success in making social change since the country was
weary of protests for racial justice.
C) Other ethnic groups were inspired greatly by African-American activism and launched
their own protests for social change.
D) Other ethnic groups were afraid to protest after seeing the violence African-American
activists endured from authorities.
E) Other ethnic groups were resentful of successes in the civil rights movement because the
social changes of the 1960s affected only African Americans.
Answer: C
Rationale:
African-American activism served as a catalyst for social change across ethnic groups by
inspiring movements for equality and justice. The successes of the civil rights movement
inspired other marginalized communities to organize and advocate for their rights.
Essay
1. Analyze President Kennedy’s approach to the Cold War. How and why did he intensify it?
Answer: President Kennedy's approach to the Cold War was characterized by a combination
of containment and confrontation with the Soviet Union. He intensified the Cold War by
adopting a more aggressive stance against communism, exemplified by actions such as the
Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Kennedy's administration believed in the
necessity of containing communism to prevent its spread globally. Additionally, his
administration increased military spending and supported interventions in regions perceived
as vulnerable to communist influence. Kennedy's intensification of the Cold War was driven
by the perceived threat posed by the Soviet Union and the desire to uphold American interests
and influence on the world stage.
2. What successes did the civil rights movement achieve during the Johnson administration?
How do they relate to the radicalism of the civil rights movement in the late 1960s?
Answer: During the Johnson administration, significant strides were made in advancing civil
rights legislation. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were
landmark achievements that aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination in the United
States. These legislative victories represented major successes for the civil rights movement,
as they provided legal protections and voting rights for African Americans. However, despite
these successes, the late 1960s saw a shift towards more radical forms of activism within the
civil rights movement. This radicalism was characterized by groups such as the Black Panther
Party and individuals like Malcolm X, who advocated for more militant tactics and
challenged the systemic injustices facing African Americans. While the legislative
achievements of the Johnson administration marked significant progress, the radicalism of the
late 1960s reflected ongoing frustrations with the pace of change and the persistence of racial
inequality.
3. Analyze President Johnson’s strategy in the Vietnam War. Why did it lead to American
defeat?
Answer: President Johnson's strategy in the Vietnam War was primarily characterized by a
policy of escalation. He believed in the necessity of preventing the spread of communism in
Southeast Asia and committed increasing numbers of American troops to the conflict.
Johnson's strategy involved a combination of aerial bombing campaigns, ground offensives,
and the use of conventional military tactics to defeat the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese
forces. However, Johnson's approach ultimately led to American defeat for several reasons.
Firstly, the war was deeply unpopular domestically, leading to widespread anti-war protests
and dissent. Secondly, the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces proved resilient and
adapted to American military tactics, leading to a protracted and costly conflict. Additionally,
the war exacerbated political instability in Vietnam and strained diplomatic relations with
other nations. Ultimately, Johnson's strategy in the Vietnam War failed to achieve its
objectives and contributed to the eventual withdrawal of American forces from the region.
Test Bank for The American Story
Robert A. Divine, T. H. Breen, R. Hal Williams, Ariela J. Gross, H. W. Brands
9780205900688
