CH-31-32 To a New Conservatism, 1969-1988 – American Stories: A History of the United States : Exam Guide

This Document Contains Chapters 31 to 32 Chapter 31: To a New Conservatism, 1969-1988 Multiple-Choice Questions 1) What was the Moral Majority? a. an international peacekeeping group b. a group of moderates who denounced Nixon c. a liberal group of political activists d. a group of civil rights activists e. a religious fundamentalist group Answer: e 2) What was the main focus of the Nixon presidency? a. foreign policy b. civil rights c. economics d. education e. strengthening the military Answer: a 3) Who served as Nixon's national security advisor during his first term? a. Warren Burger b. G. Gordon Liddy c. Henry Kissinger d. William Rehnquist e. John Mitchell Answer: c 4) Nixon's program to improve relations with the Soviet Union was known as __________. a. containment b. détente c. perestroika d. démarche e. de-escalation Answer: b 5) The SALT treaties involved __________. a. the American withdrawal from Vietnam b. reduction of U.S. and Soviet offensive ballistic missiles c. removal of Soviet nuclear weapons from Cuba d. preventing outright war in the Middle East e. the collapse of the former Soviet Union Answer: b 6) Nixon's plan to end the war in Vietnam included __________. a. a surge in the deployment of American troops b. training South Vietnamese forces to take over combat c. the end of air strikes and a focus on ground maneuvers d. increased military spending e. giving in to most demands by Hanoi Answer: b 7) The Watergate Scandal was based on President Nixon’s __________. a. 1972 affair with a young intern at the Republican National Committee b. involvement in ordering an attack on unarmed civilians in Vietnam c. attempts to cover up sources of his campaign funding in the 1972 presidential election d. attempts to bribe the North Vietnamese to agree to end the Vietnam War e. attempts to hide his involvement in a break-in at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee Answer: e 8) What did the greatest economic challenge faced by the Nixon administration involve? a. the reduction of government spending b. a dramatic increase in international oil prices c. the bankruptcy of the Federal Reserve System d. the crisis in American farming e. rampant unemployment Answer: b 9) While the United States was home to only 6 percent of the world's population, it was responsible for _______ percent of the world's energy consumption. a. 9 b. 22 c. 40 d. 75 e. 90 Answer: c 10) Which of the following is the international oil organization that was most responsible for raising petroleum prices in the 1970s? a. ACT UP b. OPEC c. SALT d. SDI e. ERA Answer: b 11) Who was the first woman to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court? a. Ruth Bader Ginsburg b. Sandra Day O'Connor c. Eleanor Smeal d. Elena Kagan e. Bridget Maher Answer: b 12) What was the most encouraging economic development for women in the late twentieth century? a. Women's wages largely closed the gap with men's wages. b. Women made great progress in entering male-dominated professions. c. The number of female business owners increased greatly. d. The number of women serving on corporate boards grew rapidly. e. The Equal Rights Amendment was ratified in 1982. Answer: c 13) The court decision in Roe v. Wade guaranteed women's right to __________. a. attend traditionally all-male schools b. run for public office c. serve in the military d. earn equal pay for equal work e. obtain an abortion Answer: e 14) The birth of the gay liberation movement was __________. a. the Outing b. the founding of ACT UP c. the Stonewall Riots d. the founding of the Gay Activist Alliance e. the founding of the Gay Liberation Front Answer: c 15) Who was the first person to become president without being elected president or vice president? a. Gerald Ford b. Richard Nixon c. Jimmy Carter d. George H. W. Bush e. Lyndon Johnson Answer: a 16) President Ford gave an executive order to the CIA in 1975 in which he __________. a. ordered the CIA to focus on domestic rather than international intelligence operations b. ordered the CIA to limit their surveillance to hostile nations c. ordered the CIA to do whatever was necessary to topple Castro d. outlawed assassinations as an instrument of U.S. foreign policy e. outlawed covert surveillance as an instrument of U.S. foreign policy Answer: d 17) The Camp David Accords provided a framework for peace negotiations between __________. a. the United States and the Soviet Union b. North Vietnam and South Vietnam c. Iran and the United States d. Israel and Egypt e. the Soviet Union and China Answer: d 18) In 1979, revolutionaries in __________ took U.S. diplomats hostage. a. Afghanistan b. Iran c. Iraq d. Israel e. Pakistan Answer: b 19) Which group overwhelmingly supported Carter in the 1980 presidential election? a. African Americans b. blue-collar workers c. Jewish voters d. the Sunbelt states e. the South Answer: a 20) Supply-side economists believe that __________. a. the national economy will recover without changing tax structures b. tax cuts will always hurt the national economy c. tax cuts will lead to an economic boom d. certain tax increases will lead to an economic boom e. tax increases are needed to keep the federal government functioning Answer: c 21) President Reagan's tax compromise with Congress called for an income tax cut of __________. a. 10 percent for three consecutive years b. 15 percent over two years c. 5 percent the first year and 10 percent for the second and third years d. 20 percent over two years e. 5 percent each year for four years Answer: c 22) The antimissile system based on the use of lasers and particle beams to destroy incoming missiles from outer space was called __________. a. IED b. SALT I c. SALT II d. SDI e. VIPER Answer: d 23) The Boland Amendment __________. a. prohibited American military aid to overthrow the Nicaraguan government b. prohibited the sale of weapons to Iran under any circumstances c. made it illegal for the United States to interfere in any foreign war without voter approval d. allowed covert operations in Central America to stop the spread of communism e. allowed the Reagan administration to send troops to topple communist regimes Answer: a 24) The Iran-Contra affair was __________. a. a covert operation through which the Reagan administration planned to topple the Iranian government b. a diplomatic disaster in which Iranian and Nicaraguan leaders were deeply insulted by one of Reagan's speeches c. a foreign policy crisis in which Reagan sent combat troops to both Iran and Nicaragua in order to keep the peace d. a crisis between Iran and Nicaragua that nearly resulted in nuclear war e. a scandal in which the government planned to sell weapons to Iran in order to finance exiles fighting in Nicaragua Answer: e 25) With the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), both the Soviet Union and the United States agreed to __________. a. destroy their entire stockpile of intermediate-range missiles b. remove and destroy all intermediate-range missiles in Europe c. prevent developing nations from having access to intermediate-range missiles d. limit their weapons arsenals to intermediate-range rather than long-range missiles e. work together to create the world's first intermediate-range missile Answer: b 26) Which statement best characterizes Reagan's two terms as governor of California? a. He bullied the Democratic legislature to implement his conservative policies. b. He lacked natural abilities as a political leader. c. He was flexible instead of trying to implement all of his conservative beliefs. d. He led the state further and further to the left through his reforms. e. He ignored taxes and education to focus on immigration issues. Answer: c 27) One neoconservative criticism of liberals is that liberals __________. a. are too willing to sacrifice high domestic standards to achieve social equality b. are too tough on communist dictatorships in other countries c. are too focused on what is right about America rather than what needs to be improved d. ignore the social inequalities faced by ethnic minorities and women e. are focused on reducing government spending and cancel social services Answer: a 28) What was most important about the SALT I agreements? a. They revealed the extent of the secret Soviet nuclear-weapon stockpiling. b. They demonstrated that the United States would not compromise on its weapons program. c. They demonstrated that the Soviet Union would not compromise on its weapons program. d. They were a symbolic first step in a peaceful resolution of the tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. e. They were critical in exacerbating the stresses and tensions of the Cold War. Answer: d 29) Why did the Nixon administration decide to resume relations with China? a. China had cautiously inquired about resuming normal diplomatic relations. b. The United States believed it would force better relations with the Soviet Union. c. The United States wanted to thwart the growing economic power of Japan. d. The United States wanted to patch up its Asian relationships after the Vietnam War. e. The suffering U.S. economy forced Nixon to make an economic arrangement with China. Answer: b 30) What inspired the infamous protests at Kent State during which four students were killed? a. the bombing of Hanoi b. the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. c. the U.S. invasion of Cambodia d. the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam e. the military draft Answer: c 31) How did Nixon feel about antiwar protestors? a. He secretly supported them. b. He publicly supported them. c. He was neutral about them. d. He had very little sympathy for them. e. He ordered the army to suppress them with force if necessary. Answer: d 32) Why did Saudi Arabia cut off oil shipments to the United States in 1973? a. Saudi Arabia wanted to force U.S. intervention in the October War. b. Saudi Arabia feared Soviet retaliation if it continued to supply the United States with oil. c. President Carter was refusing to pay full price for Saudi oil shipments. d. The United States had become involved in the conflict in Nicaragua. e. The United States had sent emergency aid to Israel during the October War. Answer: e 33) The most serious consequence of the 1970s oil shock for America was the __________. a. collapse of several Arab states that were friendly to the United States b. loss of international respect for Americans c. decline of the automobile culture in the United States d. beginning of the mass exodus from American suburbs e. rampant inflation that resulted from it Answer: e 34) How did the American family unit change after 1970? a. The divorce rate sharply increased. b. The birthrate steadily declined. c. The number of births to women over age 30 increased. d. The number of single-parent households was cut in half. e. Most fathers started staying home to raise children while the mothers went to work. Answer: c 35) Why did some working-class women oppose the Equal Rights Amendment? a. They worried about losing the protections of state laws designed to help women. b. They worried that their bosses would fire them if they openly supported it. c. They thought it helped middle-class women but ignored working-class women. d. They feared that it would lead to the drafting of women into the military. e. They mistrusted the National Organization for Women, which sponsored it. Answer: a 36) How did President Clinton change the experience of gays and lesbians in the military? a. He launched an investigation to root out and prosecute homosexuals in the military. b. He instigated a ban on homosexuals in the military. c. He established the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. d. He pressured the military to accept a small number of openly gay recruits. e. He forced the military to accept homosexuals in every branch of the service. Answer: c 37) President Gerald Ford's brief "honeymoon" with the American public ended when he __________. a. confessed to taking steroids during his college football days as a Michigan Wolverine b. suppressed about-to-be-declassified files pertaining to the Kennedy assassination c. proposed normalizing relations with Castro's Cuba d. granted disgraced President Richard Nixon a full pardon e. appointed liberal Republican Nelson Rockefeller as his vice president Answer: d 38) How did Carter try to redeem himself after his unsuccessful presidency? a. He tried to blame the Soviet Union for ruining his presidency. b. He tried to pin responsibility on the public and his dismissed cabinet members. c. He donated several million dollars to popular American charities. d. He tried to demonstrate that he understood the common man. e. He ordered a supportively slanted film to sway public opinion. Answer: b 39) Why did militants take 53 Americans prisoner from the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979? a. The Carter administration had threatened war if the oil embargo was not lifted immediately. b. The Carter administration had seized a group of insurgents the week before and refused to release them. c. The Carter administration refused to end American involvement in Nicaragua. d. President Carter publicly denounced their Ayatollah's revolution. e. Carter had allowed the exiled shah to seek medical treatment in the United States. Answer: e 40) The turmoil of the 1960s and the economic and political troubles of the 1970s __________. a. turned America to conservatism b. turned America to liberalism c. turned America away from both the Republican and Democratic parties d. caused the public to want more involvement in international conflicts e. caused the public to crave more government control over their lives Answer: a 41) The results of President Reagan's economic policies were __________. a. overwhelmingly positive—unemployment declined and the budget was balanced b. fairly positive—unemployment declined but the economy overall did not improve c. mixed—there were record federal deficits but the economy overall improved d. very minor—the economy remained about the same during his presidency e. decidedly negative—inflation increased and the economy declined dramatically Answer: c 42) A central tenet of Reagan's approach to foreign policy at the beginning of his presidency was the belief that __________. a. the Palestine Liberation Organization represented a serious threat to the United States b. trading arms for hostages was an effective way to negotiate quietly with terrorists c. the Middle East needed U.S. intervention to achieve freedom d. the Soviet Union was a deadly enemy that threatened the United States e. Israel could not be trusted to keep its word Answer: d 43) In the early 1980s, the Soviet Union broke off disarmament negotiations in Geneva because the United States __________. a. revealed plans to develop the Strategic Defense Initiative b. placed missiles in Europe within striking distance of the Soviet Union c. sent American troops into Afghanistan d. opened up diplomatic relations with China e. forcibly broke the Saudi Arabian oil embargo Answer: b 44) Reagan's approach to the conflict in Nicaragua differed from Carter's because Carter __________. a. refused to get involved in the conflict, whereas Reagan sent economic aid to the Sandinista government b. deployed ground troops to Nicaragua, whereas Reagan implemented an airstrike strategy c. favored an airstrike strategy in Nicaragua, whereas Reagan deployed ground troops instead d. deployed troops to Nicaragua, whereas Reagan sent economic aid to the Sandinista government e. gave economic aid to the Sandinista government, whereas Reagan cut off that economic aid Answer: e 45) Why did Congress refuse Reagan's request for money and authority for further intervention in Nicaragua? a. an honest belief that the Nicaraguan conflict was no threat to the United States b. a desire to block as many of Reagan's foreign policy moves as possible c. fear of repeating the mistakes of the Vietnam War d. fear of angering the public in an election year e. the lack of available funds, given the unhealthy state of the U.S. economy Answer: c 46) President Reagan's policies toward the Soviet Union changed in his second term when Reagan __________. a. focused more on destroying the Soviet Union's economy than on the arms race b. trusted the Soviet Union more, so that it became America's closest ally c. trusted the Soviet Union less, and refused to negotiate with its leaders d. was more willing to cooperate with the Soviet Union e. was more eager to break up the Soviet Union Answer: d 47) What caused President Reagan's change of policy toward the Soviet Union in his second term? a. The Soviet Union was becoming a major economic power that the United States could not afford to isolate any longer. b. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan and escalated the arms race. c. New Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was interested in making peace with the United States. d. New Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev was committed to blocking American interests abroad. e. The Soviet Union lacked a recognized leader and had fallen into chaos and civil war. Answer: c 48) How does the Watergate scandal compare to previous presidential scandals? a. Unlike previous presidential scandals, Watergate was about lust rather than money. b. Unlike previous presidential scandals, Watergate was about power rather than money. c. Unlike previous presidential scandals, Watergate was about money rather than power. d. Like previous presidential scandals, Watergate was effectively covered up and never fully revealed to the public. e. Like previous presidential scandals, Watergate demonstrated how ineffective investigative journalism was in America at the time. Answer: b 49) How was the Watergate Scandal similar to the Iran-Contra affair? a. Both were excused by the American public because they were overshadowed by significant progress in U.S.-Soviet relations. b. Both ultimately restored the American public's faith in the integrity of the federal government. c. They both brought the United States to the brink of nuclear war. d. They both involved major errors in international diplomacy. e. Both involved secret, illegal government actions that tarnished the president's reputation. Answer: e 50) How did Reagan challenge the liberal premises of the New Deal? a. He asserted that the federal aid programs established under the New Deal had actually worsened the Great Depression. b. He abolished all federal programs, leaving it entirely up to individual states to provide services. c. He expanded the New Deal programs, demonstrating that they had not been extensive enough. d. He asserted that the private sector should solve America's problems rather than the federal government. e. He wanted the federal government to take a more active role in helping America than it had during the New Deal. Answer: d Essay Questions 51) How was Nixon's Cold War strategy different from that of Kennedy and Johnson? Answer: Nixon's Cold War strategy differed from that of Kennedy and Johnson in several key ways: 1. Détente: Nixon sought to ease tensions with the Soviet Union and China through a policy of détente, which aimed to reduce the risk of nuclear war and promote peaceful coexistence. This was in contrast to Kennedy and Johnson, who pursued a more confrontational approach towards the Soviet Union, often characterized by the policy of containment. 2. Realpolitik: Nixon's foreign policy was guided by the principle of realpolitik, which emphasized practical and pragmatic considerations over ideological concerns. This approach led Nixon to engage with communist countries like China and the Soviet Union in pursuit of American interests, even if it meant overlooking their human rights records or ideological differences. 3. Vietnam War: While Kennedy and Johnson escalated U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, Nixon pursued a policy of Vietnamization, which involved gradually withdrawing American troops and transferring more responsibility for the war to the South Vietnamese government. Nixon also sought to negotiate a peace settlement with North Vietnam, eventually leading to the Paris Peace Accords in 1973. 4. Arms Control: Nixon prioritized arms control agreements with the Soviet Union, leading to the signing of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) agreements, which aimed to limit the growth of nuclear arsenals. This was in contrast to Kennedy and Johnson, who focused more on nuclear deterrence and building up America's nuclear capabilities. Overall, Nixon's Cold War strategy was characterized by a more pragmatic and diplomatic approach, focusing on reducing tensions with communist powers and pursuing strategic arms control agreements, in contrast to the more confrontational and militaristic approaches of Kennedy and Johnson. 52) How did economic factors keep Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter from having successful presidencies? Answer: Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter faced significant economic challenges during their presidencies, which contributed to their perceived lack of success: 1. Gerald Ford: • Economic Recession: Ford inherited an economy in recession, characterized by high inflation, high unemployment, and slow economic growth. These economic conditions persisted throughout much of his presidency, leading to public dissatisfaction. • Energy Crisis: The 1970s saw a series of energy crises, including the OPEC oil embargo of 1973-1974, which led to fuel shortages and soaring energy prices. Ford's response, including his "Whip Inflation Now" campaign, was seen as ineffective in addressing the underlying issues. 2. Jimmy Carter: • Stagflation: Carter faced a phenomenon known as stagflation, which was characterized by high inflation, high unemployment, and stagnant economic growth. This posed a significant challenge as traditional economic policy tools seemed ineffective in addressing both inflation and unemployment simultaneously. • Energy Crisis: The energy crises continued during Carter's presidency, culminating in the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and the subsequent oil crisis, which further exacerbated economic problems and contributed to a sense of national malaise. 3. Other Factors: • Political Challenges: Both Ford and Carter faced challenges working with Congress to implement economic policies. Ford had to deal with a Democratic-controlled Congress, while Carter faced internal divisions within his own party. • Perception of Leadership: The perception of how Ford and Carter handled these economic challenges also played a role. Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon and Carter's perceived inability to effectively address the economic crises contributed to a perception of weak leadership. Overall, the combination of economic challenges, including recession, stagflation, and energy crises, along with political factors and perceptions of leadership, contributed to the difficulties Ford and Carter faced in achieving successful presidencies. 53) How was Reagan's foreign policy different from Nixon's? Whose was more successful? Answer: Reagan's foreign policy differed from Nixon's in several key ways: 1. Approach to the Soviet Union: Reagan pursued a more confrontational approach towards the Soviet Union than Nixon. While Nixon sought détente and engaged in arms control negotiations with the Soviets, Reagan adopted a more aggressive stance, labeling the Soviet Union an "evil empire" and calling for increased military spending to counter Soviet influence. 2. Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI): Reagan's administration proposed the SDI, also known as "Star Wars," a program aimed at developing a missile defense system to protect the United States from nuclear attacks. This represented a departure from Nixon's approach, which focused more on arms control agreements. 3. Latin America: Reagan's foreign policy placed greater emphasis on combating communism in Latin America, particularly in countries like Nicaragua and El Salvador. This led to increased support for anti-communist forces, sometimes at the expense of human rights concerns. 4. Middle East: Reagan was also more involved in the Middle East, particularly in supporting Iraq during its war with Iran and taking a strong stance in support of Israel. In terms of success, opinions vary on whether Reagan's or Nixon's foreign policy was more successful. Reagan is often credited with helping to bring about the end of the Cold War through his policies of military buildup and pressure on the Soviet Union. However, some critics argue that his confrontational approach could have escalated tensions unnecessarily. Nixon, on the other hand, is credited with laying the groundwork for détente and improving relations with China, which helped to ease Cold War tensions. However, his presidency was overshadowed by the Watergate scandal, which ultimately led to his resignation and tarnished his legacy. Overall, both presidents made significant contributions to American foreign policy, and the success of their respective approaches is a matter of historical debate and interpretation. Chapter 32: Into the Twenty-First Century, 1989-2010 Multiple-Choice Questions 1) What was the first crisis of the post-Cold War era? a. The United States invaded Iraq. b. Al Qaeda attacked New York City. c. Iraq invaded Kuwait. d. The East German government collapsed. e. Russia invaded Afghanistan. Answer: c 2) What was President George H. W. Bush's primary focus during his presidency? a. health care reform b. reducing taxes c. gay rights d. education e. foreign affairs Answer: e 3) What was the only significant piece of social legislation enacted in the first Bush administration? a. Civil Rights Act of 1991 b. National Health Insurance Act c. Social Security Privatization Act d. Americans with Disabilities Act e. Equal Rights Amendment Answer: d 4) In 1990, President George H. W. Bush had to break his campaign pledge __________. a. not to cooperate with Russian leader Gorbachev b. not to lead America into war c. not to raise taxes d. to end the Cold War e. to prohibit discrimination against the disabled Answer: c 5) In 1989, popular demonstrations calling for democratic reform were violently suppressed in __________. a. China b. Egypt c. Czechoslovakia d. Chile e. Russia Answer: a 6) Who was responsible for the liberation of Eastern Europe from repressive governments? a. Mikhail Gorbachev b. George H. W. Bush c. Margaret Thatcher d. Boris Yeltsin e. Bill Clinton Answer: a 7) The U.S. and allied military campaign against Iraq in 1991 was known as Operation __________. a. Desert Wind b. Desert Storm c. Contact Saddam d. Defeat Kuwait e. Liberate Kuwait Answer: b 8) Which area of the United States experienced dramatic growth from the 1970s to the 1990s? a. the Pacific Northwest b. the Great Lakes region c. the Northeast coast d. the Midwest e. the Sunbelt Answer: e 9) By 2002, __________ had become the nation's largest ethnic minority. a. African Americans b. Asian Americans c. Hispanics d. German Americans e. Pacific Islanders Answer: c 10) What event revealed to the nation that poverty in America was not color-blind? a. the 2000 presidential election b. the Oklahoma City bombing c. Hurricane Katrina d. Operation Desert Shield e. Operation Desert Storm Answer: c 11) The largest single group of Asian Americans in the first decade of the twenty-first century was of __________ descent. a. Cambodian b. Chinese c. Laotian d. Thai e. Vietnamese Answer: b 12) What is NAFTA? a. the first lending institution to need a government bailout in 2008 b. the most common weapon of mass destruction found in Iraq c. an arms treaty between the United States and Russia d. a free trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada e. an international organization helping nations move from communism to democracy Answer: d 13) A component of the Contract with America was __________. a. universal health care coverage b. a restriction on campaign donations by lobbyists c. term limits for members of Congress d. requiring drug tests for welfare benefits e. a lower-class tax cut Answer: c 14) Bill Clinton was impeached for __________. a. perjury and obstruction of justice b. making unwelcome sexual advances to Paula Jones c. having an affair with Monica Lewinsky d. selling missile technology to China for campaign contributions e. being involved in a crooked real estate scheme in Arkansas Answer: a 15) The outcome of the 2000 presidential election hung on legal battles over the vote count in __________. a. Ohio b. Illinois c. Florida d. California e. New Mexico Answer: c 16) What was President George W. Bush's first order of business after being elected? a. expansion of the Americans with Disabilities Act b. environmental protections c. quelling the unrest in the Middle East d. health care reform e. a large tax cut Answer: e 17) What was the purpose of the "No Child Left Behind" measure? a. to channel billions of dollars into antipoverty efforts around the world b. to mandate state testing to evaluate student performance in reading and math c. to provide resources to low-income families to increase graduation rates d. to make preschool and kindergarten mandatory for all American children e. to reform the foster care system in an attempt to prevent child abuse Answer: b 18) The first move in the war on terror was the overthrow of a radical Islamist regime in __________. a. Iraq b. Iran c. Pakistan d. Afghanistan e. Saudi Arabia Answer: d 19) Which countries did President George W. Bush call the "axis of evil" in 2002? a. Afghanistan, Russia, and North Korea b. Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Russia c. Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan d. Iraq, Afghanistan, and Russia e. Iraq, Iran, and North Korea Answer: e 20) The terrorist attacks on the United States led the George W. Bush administration to initiate a new global strategy known to its critics as __________. a. unilateralism b. bipolarism c. containment d. détente e. isolationism Answer: a 21) What did the Bush administration insist Iraq was hiding in 2002? a. harbored terrorists b. weapons of mass destruction c. stolen classified U.S. documents d. missing American diplomats e. unannounced oil reserves Answer: b 22) What was the central issue of the 2004 presidential election? a. the war in Iraq b. abortion c. the economy d. family values e. the war on drugs Answer: a 23) What did the Obama administration accomplish that Democratic presidents since Harry Truman had wanted to achieve? a. tax increases to alleviate the national deficit b. a balanced federal budget c. a comprehensive medical insurance program for all Americans d. an operative isolationist foreign policy e. tax cuts for wealthy Americans Answer: c 24) Affirmative action policies are designed to __________. a. perpetuate the checks and balances between branches of government b. allow the president to reinstitute the military draft c. force Congress to make decisions in a timely manner d. ensure greater participation by minorities e. give more decision-making power to the people Answer: d 25) What issue became especially controversial after Chief Justice William Rehnquist died and Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor retired? a. medical marijuana b. immigration c. abortion d. government bailouts e. the war on terror Answer: c 26) Why did the George H. W. Bush administration feel so much pressure after Iraq invaded Kuwait? a. The government of Kuwait had helped Bush improve his image overseas. b. Iraq had used U.S. mercenaries in its attack on Kuwait. c. The Bush administration feared it had inadvertently caused the crisis. d. The United States was closely allied with Saddam Hussein's regime in the past. e. The United States was the sole remaining superpower following the Cold War. Answer: e 27) George H. W. Bush's plan to bring down the federal budget deficit was unsuccessful because his plan __________. a. was never palatable to Congress b. coincided with the beginning of a recession c. included new taxes but no spending cuts d. included spending cuts but no new taxes e. did not include new taxes or spending cuts Answer: b 28) How did George H. W. Bush respond to the 1989 repression of protestors in Tiananmen Square? a. He threatened to send troops to protect the protestors. b. He severed all diplomatic ties with the Chinese government. c. He did not react publicly, but began secretly aiding Chinese resistance groups. d. He denounced the violence but maintained a working relationship with China. e. He was personally outraged but did nothing in response. Answer: d 29) People living in American urban centers in the early twenty-first century __________. a. had more education than people in rural areas b. made less money than people in rural areas c. enjoyed a lower crime rate than people in rural areas d. were just as likely to graduate from college as people in rural areas e. had a lower cost of living than people in rural areas Answer: a 30) One thing immigrants from the four major Hispanic groups have had in common is that they have tended to __________. a. be relatively wealthy b. have few children c. be relatively young d. have very high college graduation rates e. live primarily in rural areas Answer: c 31) How did Congress respond to concerns about the economic effects of undocumented workers in 1986? a. It approved a bill that tripled the size of the border patrol. b. It created a new branch of the Department of Defense to deal with the issue. c. It doubled the funds allotted for border enforcement. d. It repealed privacy laws to allow the government to find undocumented workers. e. It penalized employers who hired undocumented workers. Answer: e 32) How did life improve for African Americans during the last few decades of the twentieth century and the first decade of the twenty-first century? a. The average income for African American families increased to match that of white families. b. The average educational level of African Americans increased. c. The incarceration level of African Americans dropped below the national average. d. The poverty rate among African Americans dropped below the national average. e. Homicide was no longer the leading cause of death among young black males. Answer: b 33) What caused a riot in South Central Los Angeles in which 53 people were killed? a. the government's response to the Tiananmen Square massacre b. the court's acquittal of the police officers who beat Rodney King c. the government's failure to respond to the Hurricane Katrina disaster d. the American invasion of Iraq e. the fall of the Berlin Wall Answer: b 34) The Democratic party changed its tactics in the early 1990s and regained the White House by __________. a. becoming more liberal in order to differentiate itself from the Independent party b. becoming more moderate and beginning to tailor programs to the middle class c. ceasing to focus on the middle class and instead seeking upper-class support d. abandoning the traditional Democratic goals such as health care reform e. strengthening its focus on the importance of big government Answer: b 35) When Kenneth Starr's report outlining the possible impeachment charges against Clinton was released, the public __________. a. became even angrier with Clinton for his indiscretions and deceits b. was apathetic to Starr's report c. overwhelmingly concluded that presidential affairs of this nature were best handled in the public arena d. strongly supported Starr for his thorough investigation of the president’s indiscretions e. condemned Starr for revealing such graphic and intimate details of sexual practices in the news Answer: e 36) Which statement most accurately compares Al Gore and George W. Bush? a. Gore seemed aloof but had experience, while Bush was personable but inexperienced. b. Gore was knowledgeable but inexperienced, while Bush was experienced with foreign policy but not domestic issues. c. Gore was personable but inexperienced, while Bush was both likeable and experienced. d. Both Gore and Bush were highly likeable but inexperienced. e. Both Gore and Bush had extensive experience in government but came across as aloof. Answer: a 37) In what way did the 2000 presidential election reveal a division in American life? a. The urban coastal states voted for Bush while rural southern and western states voted for Gore. b. The poor voted for Bush while the middle class voted for Gore. c. The poor voted for Gore while the rich voted for Bush. d. The poor voted for Bush while the rich voted for Gore. e. Suburbia voted for Bush while rural America voted for Gore. Answer: c 38) George W. Bush's economic policy was different from Clinton's because Clinton favored __________. a. investing in education, whereas Bush favored investing in environmental reforms b. reducing government spending, whereas Bush favored increasing government spending c. tax reduction, whereas Bush favored eliminating the deficit d. eliminating the deficit, whereas Bush favored tax reduction e. tax reduction, whereas Bush favored cutting spending Answer: d 39) How did the September 11, 2001, attacks affect the U.S. economy? a. The terrorist attacks had little effect on the U.S. economy. b. The airline industry was devastated, as people were afraid to fly. c. The oil industry suffered enormous losses as people stopped traveling by car. d. The economy boomed as Americans bought more American products. e. The tourism industry improved as patriotism inspired people to explore America. Answer: b 40) The 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States changed American foreign policy, as the United States __________. a. considered returning to an isolationist foreign policy b. considered returning to a containment foreign policy c. took on the role of global police officer d. strengthened its alliances with Europe and cut off diplomatic relations with countries on other continents e. realized that involvement in international affairs was a mistake Answer: c 41) Bush's 2003 decision to go to war in Iraq initially seemed __________. a. foolish because the U.S. military was consistently defeated by Hussein's forces b. necessary because Saddam Hussein had been the mastermind of the September 11 terrorist attacks c. wise because the military quickly succeeded in taking Baghdad d. wise because intelligence that Saddam Hussein was planning a terrorist attack on the United States was discovered e. wise because UN inspectors found weapons of mass destruction in Baghdad Answer: c 42) Which statement best describes the 2004 presidential election? a. It was unusual because there was no central issue. b. It was unusual because there were no public debates due to security issues. c. It was noteworthy because of the repeated recounts to determine who had won. d. It was especially harmonious because the parties were united against terrorism. e. It was especially bitter and spiteful as each party blamed and criticized the other. Answer: e 43) How did the dismal economy affect the 2008 presidential race? a. It helped Obama gain ground during the campaign. b. It decreased Obama's overall popularity. c. It decreased both Obama and McCain's popularity. d. It caused resentment against the Democratic party. e. It did not have any effect on the 2008 presidential election. Answer: a 44) How did President Obama affect the experience of gays and lesbians in the military? a. He banned homosexuals from the military. b. He established the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. c. He formally extended the "don't ask, don't tell" policy for ten years. d. He repealed the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. e. He failed to change the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Answer: d 45) What issue made science education controversial in the early twenty-first century? a. protests against university genetics programs that researched eugenics b. protests against psychology classes teaching that homosexuality is a mental illness c. demands to bring global warming into the science curriculum d. demands for more federal funds to support and expand science education e. demands to teach intelligent design instead of evolution Answer: e 46) How was the age of the American population related to the economy in the early part of the twenty-first century? a. Health care costs rose alarmingly as the American population aged. b. As the baby boom generation aged, the load on Social Security decreased. c. As the baby boom generation aged, their children volunteered to pay more taxes to support them. d. The number of elderly people in America was declining, so age had little effect on the national economy. e. As the American population aged, they became wealthier, so there was a positive effect on the national economy. Answer: a 47) How did most Americans feel about the future by 2010? a. Most people despaired, and many immigrated to Western Europe or Australia. b. About 90 percent of Americans thought that the country's best days were over. c. About half of Americans thought that the country's best days were over. d. Although the economy was suffering, American confidence remained unchanged. e. Most Americans were wildly optimistic about the future. Answer: c 48) In what way was Iraq's invasion of Kuwait influenced by the end of the Cold War? a. Saddam Hussein thought the world would be too busy with the restoration of Eastern European countries to object to his invasion of Kuwait. b. The Soviet Union was no longer a superpower that could influence Saddam Hussein. c. Iraq had seized stockpiles of weapons from Eastern European countries when the Soviet Union collapsed. d. Saddam Hussein resented the Kuwaiti government for supporting the communist regimes of the former Soviet Union. e. Saddam Hussein was hoping to once again pit the United States against Russia by invading Kuwait. Answer: b 49) How did Ralph Nader's candidacy in the 2000 presidential election affect the race? a. Gore moved further to the left, leaving more room for Bush among independents. b. Gore moved further to the right, alienating a large portion of his voter base. c. Bush moved further to the right, leaving more room for Gore among independents. d. Bush moved further to the left, taking a large portion of Gore's voter base. e. Both Gore and Bush moved further to the right, attracting independent voters. Answer: a 50) How did the 2000 presidential election break from historical trends? a. Both candidates strayed from their traditional voter base to court independent voters. b. Scandals in the White House had no effect on the outcome of the election. c. The state of the economy did not determine the outcome of the election. d. George W. Bush enjoyed the most decisive landslide victory in American history. e. The election continued the longest streak of Democratic presidents in American history. Answer: c Essay Questions 51) Describe changing immigration patterns in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s. Answer: During the 1970s and 1980s, the United States experienced significant shifts in immigration patterns, largely influenced by changes in immigration laws and global events. Here are some key trends: 1. Latin American Immigration: There was a substantial increase in immigration from Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, due to economic factors and political instability in the region. This led to the growth of Hispanic communities in the United States, especially in the Southwest. 2. Asian Immigration: The 1970s saw an increase in immigration from Asian countries, including China, India, and Vietnam. Many of these immigrants were refugees fleeing political turmoil, such as the Vietnam War and the Cultural Revolution in China. 3. Refugee Resettlement: The 1970s and 1980s saw a significant increase in the number of refugees resettling in the United States, including those from Southeast Asia, the Soviet Union, and countries in Africa and the Middle East. This was partly due to the Refugee Act of 1980, which standardized the process for admitting refugees and expanded the definition of who could qualify as a refugee. 4. Changes in Immigration Laws: The 1970s and 1980s also saw significant changes in U.S. immigration laws. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished the national origins quota system, which had favored immigrants from Western Europe, and introduced a system based on family reunification and skilled labor. Additionally, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 granted amnesty to undocumented immigrants who had been living in the United States since before 1982 and imposed sanctions on employers who hired undocumented workers. 5. Diversity Visa Program: The Immigration Act of 1990 established the Diversity Visa Program, which allocated visas to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. This program aimed to diversify the immigrant population and reduce backlogs in other visa categories. Overall, the 1970s and 1980s were marked by a diversification of the U.S. immigrant population, with significant increases in immigration from Latin America, Asia, and refugee-producing regions. These changes were influenced by both global events and changes in U.S. immigration laws. 52) Which aspects of the war on terror have been controversial? Why? Answer: The War on Terror, launched by the United States in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, has been marked by several controversial aspects: 1. Invasion of Iraq: One of the most controversial aspects was the decision to invade Iraq in 2003. The justification for the invasion, including claims about Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction, later proved to be unfounded. The invasion resulted in significant civilian casualties and instability in the region. 2. Use of Torture: The use of enhanced interrogation techniques, which many consider to be torture, on detainees at places like Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib, sparked widespread condemnation and raised ethical and legal questions about the treatment of prisoners. 3. Drone Strikes: The use of drone strikes to target suspected terrorists in countries like Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia has been controversial due to concerns about civilian casualties, lack of transparency, and violation of national sovereignty. 4. Mass Surveillance: The revelation of mass surveillance programs by the National Security Agency (NSA), such as the collection of phone metadata, sparked a debate about privacy rights and the balance between security and civil liberties. 5. Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp: The continued operation of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, where individuals suspected of terrorism are held indefinitely without trial, has been widely criticized for its violation of due process and human rights. 6. Impact on Civil Liberties: The War on Terror has led to the passage of laws such as the USA PATRIOT Act, which expanded the government's surveillance and law enforcement powers, raising concerns about the erosion of civil liberties. 7. Effectiveness: There is debate about the effectiveness of the War on Terror in achieving its goals of eliminating terrorist threats. Critics argue that the focus on military intervention has sometimes fueled extremism and failed to address root causes of terrorism. Overall, the War on Terror has been controversial due to its impact on human rights, civil liberties, and international law, as well as questions about its effectiveness in combating terrorism. 53) Explain the factors that affected America's attitude about the future in the first decade of the twenty-first century. Answer: Several factors affected America's attitude about the future in the first decade of the twenty-first century: 1. September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks: The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon had a profound impact on America's sense of security and its view of the future. The attacks led to a heightened sense of vulnerability and a focus on national security. 2. War on Terror: The response to the 9/11 attacks, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, shaped America's outlook on the future. The conflicts raised questions about the country's role in the world and the long-term implications of military intervention. 3. Economic Recession: The economic recession that began in 2008 had a significant impact on America's attitude about the future. The financial crisis led to widespread job losses, home foreclosures, and a sense of economic uncertainty that persisted for many years. 4. Technological Advancements: The first decade of the 21st century saw rapid advancements in technology, particularly in the fields of communication and information technology. These advancements had a profound impact on society and influenced how Americans viewed the future, with both optimism about the possibilities of technology and concerns about its impact on privacy and employment. 5. Political Polarization: The first decade of the 21st century was marked by increasing political polarization in the United States. This polarization affected Americans' attitudes about the future, with differing visions of the country's direction and how to address its challenges. 6. Natural Disasters: The first decade of the 21st century saw a number of devastating natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. These events raised concerns about climate change and disaster preparedness, shaping attitudes about the future. 7. Globalization: The process of globalization continued to accelerate in the first decade of the 21st century, leading to increased interconnectedness and economic interdependence. This globalization had both positive and negative effects on America's attitude about the future, with opportunities for economic growth but also concerns about competition and job loss. Overall, the first decade of the twenty-first century was a time of significant change and uncertainty, with events and trends shaping America's attitude about the future in complex ways. 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