HIST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Midterm Exam

Marlene Garrett’s story reveals in part

a) the economic struggles of immigrants in the United States in the last quarter century.

b) the challenges of Reagan-era elites during the 1980s.

c) cultural issues associated with the rights of unwed mothers.

d) the U.S. prison system.

ANS: a

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.6: Summarize the economic and political crises that America faced toward the end of the first decade of the twenty-first century, Topic=American Stories, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 2 The conservative coalition of the 1980s sought to

a) scale back the welfare state.

b) increase regulation of the banking industry.

c) expand the interstate highway system.

d) reform the election process.

ANS: a

Difficulty=Moderate, Skill=Understand, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age

M/C Question 3 The nation’s problems, according to conservatives, included

a) too little government control of the economy.

b) excessive individualism.

c) out-of-control entitlements.

d) insufficient funding of social programs.

ANS: c

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Topic= New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 4 Members of the Moral Majority were

a) in favor of legalization of some narcotics.

b) in favor of government control of markets.

c) followers of Reverend Moon.

d) typically religious fundamentalists.

ANS: d

Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Moderate, Skill=Understand, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s

M/C Question 5 As a result of Ronald Reagan’s election to the presidency in 1980,

a) an inexperienced politician came into the White House.

b) the Democrats lost their majority in the House of Representatives.

c) New Deal liberalism gained a supporter in the White House.

d) the Republicans gained control of the Senate.

ANS: d

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 6 As president, Reagan suffered from charges of

a) projecting a poor image on television.

b) “sleaze” in his administration.

c) lying about the invasion of Grenada.

d) ostentatious living.

ANS: b

Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Moderate, Skill=Moderate, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s

M/C Question 7 In the 1988 presidential race, George H. W. Bush

a) magnanimously praised the governor of Massachusetts for improving his state’s economy.

b) refused to engage in mudslinging.

c) accused Michael Dukakis of communist affiliations.

d) ran a mudslinging campaign.

ANS: d

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Difficulty=Moderate, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age

M/C Question 8 One effect of the Persian Gulf War was that it

a) caused serious shortages in the United States.

b) brought Israel and the Palestinians together against a common enemy.

c) completely destroyed the power base of Saddam Hussein.

d) increased the popularity of President G. H. W. Bush.

ANS: d

Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Skill=Understand, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 9 According to supplyside economic theory,

a) the national debt should be continued indefinitely.

b) reduction of taxes will encourage business expansion, which will ultimately stimulate the whole economic system.

c) conservation of natural resources is the key to long-term economic health.

d) the nation’s most important resource is its people.

ANS: b

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 10 The administration of Ronald Reagan was characterized by

a) increasing hostility between the United States and the Soviet Union.

b) a reduction in federal taxation.

c) high ethical and moral standards among his appointees to federal office.

d) a decline in military spending.

ANS: b

Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Skill=Understand, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Difficulty=Moderate,

M/C Question 11 The tax cuts of the 1980s

a) helped many poor families join the middle class.

b) favored the middle class more than the rich.

c) were accompanied by increased regulation of the insurance industry.

d) benefited the wealthy far more than middle- or lower-income Americans.

ANS: d

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 12 One of the chief goals of the Reagan administration was to

a) reduce tensions with the Soviet Union.

b) aggressively defend minority rights.

c) increase aid to the poor.

d) curtail social programs.

ANS: d

Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Difficulty=Moderate, Skill=Understand, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age

M/C Question 13 Under President Reagan, the budget for military expenditures

a) had to be reduced because of tax cuts.

b) remained at the 1979 level.

c) increased immensely while spending for social programs decreased.

d) made tax reduction impossible.

ANS: c

Skill=Understand, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Moderate, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s

M/C Question 14 During the 1980s the gap between the wealthiest and poorest segments of American society

a) reflected the different natural abilities of individuals.

b) narrowed because of tax policies.

c) increased greatly.

d) was a matter of great concern to the administration.

ANS: c

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 15 The United States slipped from its position as the world’s industrial leader mainly because of

a) shrinking markets abroad.

b) failure to train workers adequately.

c) failure to invest sufficiently in its productive capacity.

d) overconcentration on electronic industries.

ANS: c

Topic=Economic and Demographic Change, Difficulty=Moderate, Skill=add skill Understand, Objective=28.3: Examine the economic and demographic changes that the Republican government encountered

M/C Question 16 During the 1980s, the trade union movement in the United States

a) found strong support from Ronald Reagan.

b) became more radical.

c) had little success among public employees.

d) declined in membership.

ANS: d

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.3: Examine the economic and demographic changes that the Republican government encountered, Topic=Economic and Demographic Change, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 17 In 1933, there were 6.7 million farms in the United States; 50 years later, the total number had shrunk to

a) 2.4 million.

b) 1 million.

c) 600,000.

d) 5 million.

ANS: a

Topic=Economic and Demographic Change, Difficulty=Moderate, Skill=Understand, Objective=28.3: Examine the economic and demographic changes that the Republican government encountered

M/C Question 18 The economic recession that confronted the American people from 1980 to 1982

a) affected only the Sun Belt states.

b) affected only the upper classes.

c) affected all classes equally.

d) led to unemployment rates for African Americans that exceeded 20 percent.

ANS: d

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.3: Examine the economic and demographic changes that the Republican government encountered, Topic=Economic and Demographic Change, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 19 Which of the following Asian nations sent immigrants to the United States in the late twentieth century?

a) India

b) China

c) Korea

d) All of these answers are correct.

ANS: d

Difficulty=Moderate, Skill=Factual, Objective=28.3: Examine the economic and demographic changes that the Republican government encountered, Topic=Economic and Demographic Change

M/C Question 20 In the 1980s, 37 percent of all immigrants came from

a) Latin America.

b) Africa.

c) the Middle East.

d) Asia.

ANS: d

Topic=The Complexities of Social Reform, Skill=Understand, Objective=28.2: Examine the fate of social reform movements in the 1980s, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 21 Ada Deer, a Native American woman, served as Assistant Secretary of the

a) Army.

b) Navy.

c) Interior.

d) Treasury.

ANS: c

Skill=Factual, Objective=28.2: Examine the fate of social reform movements in the 1980s, Topic=The Complexities of Social Reform, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 22 In 1988, Lauro Cavazos became the first

a) Latino cabinet official.

b) Latino on the Supreme Court.

c) Latino head of a major university.

d) Latino head of the armed forces.

ANS: a

Skill=Factual, Objective=28.2: Examine the fate of social reform movements in the 1980s, Topic=The Complexities of Social Reform, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 23 All of the following statements are accurate regarding the career of Jesse Jackson in the 1980s EXCEPT:

a) He established the Rainbow Coalition in 1984 and ran for the presidency.

b) He lost the bid for the Democratic nomination for president.

c) In 1988 Jackson once again attempted to become the nominee, but failed.

d) Jackson was not allowed to speak at Democratic Party conventions during the decade.

ANS: d

Topic=The Complexities of Social Reform, Difficulty=Moderate, Skill=Understand, Objective=28.2: Examine the fate of social reform movements in the 1980s, Division=US History

M/C Question 24 What city experienced a major riot in 1992?

a) Chicago.

b) Detroit.

c) San Francisco.

d) Los Angeles

ANS: d

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.2: Examine the fate of social reform movements in the 1980s, Topic=The Complexities of Social Reform, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 25 What problems did women face in the 1980s?

a) They faced promotion limits known as the glass ceiling.

b) They earned less income than men for the same job.

c) They remained concentrated in lower-paying jobs.

d) All of these answers are correct.

ANS: d

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.2: Examine the fate of social reform movements in the 1980s, Topic=The Complexities of Social Reform, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 26 Asian workers in Chinatowns in the United States

a) included very few women.

b) comprised a large proportion of the garment industry.

c) rarely remained in the country longer than a few months.

d) received low-paying jobs.

ANS: d

Objective=28.2: Examine the fate of social reform movements in the 1980s, Topic=The Complexities of Social Reform, Difficulty=Moderate, Skill=Understand

M/C Question 27 In 1992, President G. H. W. Bush refused to sign a treaty from which of the following UN-sponsored conferences in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?

a) Kyoto Peace Conference

b) Earth Summit

c) Space Race

d) Nuclear Arms Reduction

ANS: b

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.2: Examine the fate of social reform movements in the 1980s, Topic=The Complexities of Social Reform, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 28 In November 1993, President Bill Clinton signed __________, linking the economies of Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

a) NARUC

b) NRA

c) CFTC

d) NAFTA

ANS: d

Skill=Factual, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 29 In 1994, Republicans in Congress, led by _________, introduced the Contract with America to scale back the role of the federal government.

a) George W. Bush

b) George Mitchell

c) Newt Gingrich

d) Paul Ryan

ANS: c

Skill=Factual, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 30 President Clinton intervened to halt ethnic cleansing in what former communist country?

a) Hungary

b) Poland

c) Romania

d) Yugoslavia

ANS: d

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.4: Review the effects of the end of the Cold War, Topic=Foreign Policy and the End of the Cold War, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 31 In Bosnia, formerly part of Yugoslavia, the majority of the population is

a) Muslim.

b) Buddhist.

c) Jewish.

d) Christian.

ANS: a

Objective=28.4: Review the effects of the end of the Cold War, Topic=Foreign Policy and the End of the Cold War, Difficulty=Moderate, Skill=Understand

M/C Question 32 President Clinton was investigated by an independent prosecutor for, among other things, having had an improper relationship with

a) Marilyn Monroe.

b) a White House intern.

c) Newt Gingrich.

d) a Senate aid.

ANS: b

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 33 The presidential election of 2000 was ultimately decided in the

a) U.S. Senate.

b) U.S. House of Representatives.

c) Florida Supreme Court.

d) U.S. Supreme Court.

ANS: d

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 34 On September 11, 2001, three hijacked planes killed about ______ people when they slammed into the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

a) 30

b) 3,000

c) 30,000

d) 300

ANS: b

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.4: Review the effects of the end of the Cold War, Topic=Foreign Policy and the End of the Cold War, Difficulty=Easy

M/C Question 35 The leader of the al Qaeda terrorist network__________ masterminded the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

a) Muammar Gaddafi

b) Saddam Hussein

c) Anwar Sadat

d) Osama bin Laden

ANS: d

Topic=Policy and the End of the Cold War, , Skill=Factual, Objective=28.4: Review the effects of the end of the Cold War, Difficulty=Easy,

M/C Question 36 In a speech in early 2002, President George W. Bush described which country as part of an “axis of evil”?

a) Iraq

b) Iran

c) North Korea

d) All of these answers are correct.

ANS: d

Skill=Factual, Objective=28.4: Review the effects of the end of the Cold War, Difficulty=Moderate, Topic=Foreign Policy and the End of the Cold War

M/C Question 37 The war against _______did not receive United Nations support when it began in 2003.

a) Iraq

b) Iran

c) Afghanistan

d) Libya

ANS: a

Skill=Factual, Objective=28.4: Review the effects of the end of the Cold War, Topic=Foreign Policy and the End of the Cold War, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 38 In 2005, a devastating hurricane struck

a) New York City.

b) New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

c) Japan.

d) Houston.

ANS: b

Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Skill=Factual, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Difficulty=Easy

M/C Question 39 By mid-2006, the approval rating of President George W. Bush had sunk to ________ percent.

a) 40

b) 49

c) 15

d) 30

ANS: d

Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Skill=Factual, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Difficulty=Easy

M/C Question 40 By early 2008, the American death toll in Iraq had surpassed __________ people.

a) 400

b) 4,000

c) 400,000

d) 20,000

ANS: b

Skill=Factual, Objective=28.4: Review the effects of the end of the Cold War, Difficulty=Easy, Topic=Foreign Policy and the End of the Cold War

M/C Question 41 In 2008, the nation elected Barack Obama the first black president of the United States after he defeated ________ for the Democratic nomination.

a) Michael Bloomberg

b) Al Gore

c) Hillary Clinton

d) Bernie Sanders

ANS: c

Skill=Factual, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Easy

M/C Question 42 The authors of the textbook consider the passage of the ________ to be the major legislative achievement of President Obama.

a) Energy Conservation Act

b) Renewable Energy Act

c) Affordable Care Act

d) Climate Change Initiative

ANS: c

Skill=Understand, Objective=28.5: Recognize the economic, cultural, and political turmoil that Barack Obama encountered in twenty-first century America, Topic=The Recent Past, Difficulty=Moderate

Essay

Essay Question 43 During the Reagan–Bush era, the administration pursued a conservative agenda. Discuss its main social, political, and economic features.

Global Correct Feedback: The agenda of the Reagan and George H. W. Bush administrations was to limit the size of government, reduce taxes, lessen government regulation of industry, and curtail social programs. They also encouraged religious fundamentalism, opposed equal rights and abortion rights for women, and disapproved of homosexual lifestyles. The Reagan–Bush years saw large increases in military spending, cuts in social programs, and a spiraling national debt.

Skill=Analyze, Objective=28.1: Describe the politics of the rise of conservatism in the 1980s, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Moderate

Essay Question 44 Suppose you were a social reformer during the Reagan and G. H. W. Bush administrations. Explain the situation as you saw it.

Global Correct Feedback: Reformers faced not only an attack on the welfare state but an effort to limit government roles in social reform. In civil rights, the courts weakened commitments. A backlash against affirmative action grew. Women’s rights underwent a similar experience. Latinos made political gains but still suffered in educational progress and the job market. Native Americans concentrated on self-sufficiency but still remained the poorest group overall. Environmental public policy was restricted under Reagan–Bush.

Objective=28.2: Examine the fate of social reform movements in the 1980s, Topic=The Complexities of Social Reform, Difficulty=Difficult, Skill=Apply

Essay Question 45 Discuss the issues of the postindustrial economy and include examples of their effects on the public.

Global Correct Feedback: As workplaces mechanized and service industries grew, Americans faced downsizing and new jobs with less pay and benefits. Work time increased and leisure time decreased. Workers encountered more stress. Women workers coped with a double load with duties at work and at home. Boom and bust cycles kept the situation unsettled. Unions were less able to protect workers and lost membership. Farmers coped with over productivity, falling prices, and foreclosures. Even upswings failed to improve the fundamental economic stability.

Skill=Evaluate, Objective=28.3: Examine the economic and demographic changes that the Republican government encountered, Topic=Economic and Demographic Change, Difficulty=Difficult

Essay Question 46 Discuss the changes that took place in U.S.–Soviet relations during the Reagan–Bush years.

Global Correct Feedback: Reagan began his first term by pursuing a Cold War policy toward the Soviet Union. He proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative. In his second term he developed a working relationship with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Through summit meetings they agreed to reduce nuclear arsenals in Europe. Bush continued the policy of arms reduction. The START agreement (1991) reduced the number of long-range missiles on both sides. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, President Bush and Russia’s President Yeltsin in 1992 formally declared the Cold War over.

Skill=Analyze, Objective=28.4: Review the effects of the end of the Cold War, Topic=Foreign Policy and the End of the Cold War, Difficulty=Difficult

Essay Question 47 Discuss the unsettling Middle Eastern events that the first Bush administration confronted.

Global Correct Feedback: In August 1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait. Early in 1991 a 28-nation alliance led by Bush struck back at Iraq, driving the Iraqis out of Kuwait. The allies declared victory, but Saddam Hussein remained in power and used his forces against minorities.

Difficulty=Moderate, Skill=Analyze, Objective=28.4: Review the effects of the end of the Cold War, Topic=Foreign Policy and the End of the Cold War

Essay Question 48 The Reagan and Bush administrations intervened on a number of occasions in Latin America. Where and why did they intervene? How would you evaluate their actions?

Global Correct Feedback: In Nicaragua Reagan opposed the Sandinistas, who overthrew the repressive Somoza government in 1979. Reagan’s National Security Council secretly sold arms to Iran and used the funds to aid the Nicaraguan contras. In El Salvador, Reagan funneled billions of dollars to the antirevolutionary government. Reagan sent marines to overthrow a leftist government on the island of Grenada. Bush sent U.S. troops into Panama. For years, U.S. policy was driven by Cold War ideology.

Skill=Evaluate, Objective=28.4: Review the effects of the end of the Cold War, Topic=Foreign Policy and the End of the Cold War, Difficulty=Difficult

Essay Question 49 What was the American response to African struggles against apartheid in South Africa during the Reagan and Bush years?

Global Correct Feedback: Many Americans supported the struggle against apartheid. In 1986, Congress applied sanctions, which included a prohibition of new American investments in South Africa. Many American firms left South Africa. Such economic pressure helped persuade South Africa’s new Prime Minister, Frederik W. De Klerk, that changes must be made. Nelson Mandela, a long-time leader of the fight against apartheid, was released from prison after 27 years. Mandela then soon became president of South Africa.

Skill=Analyze, Objective=28.4: Review the effects of the end of the Cold War, Topic=Foreign Policy and the End of the Cold War, Difficulty=Moderate

Essay Question 50 Conservative politics enjoyed a revival during the 1980s and 1990s. Identify conservative goals and assess the impact conservative policies had on U.S. society.

Global Correct Feedback: Reagan and Bush reversed liberal policies, creating a less regulated economy and working to dismantle the welfare state. Conservative policies, however, did not threaten programs such as Social Security and Medicare, which continued to enjoy public support. The transformation in policies and economic changes during these years did not benefit all Americans; both working-class Americans and white-collar workers faced hardships.

Objective=28.4: Review the effects of the end of the Cold War, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Difficult, Skill=Evaluate

Essay Question 51 Overall, was the presidency of Bill Clinton successful or unsuccessful? Evaluate by citing specific political and policy successes and failures.

Global Correct Feedback: President Clinton is widely regarded as one of the most skillful politicians of his era. He was elected to a second term and survived despite being impeached (but not convicted). He failed to enable comprehensive health care reform, but he did get the North American Free Trade Agreement approved, and he benefitted from a booming economy during most of his two terms. He accomplished welfare reform by working with a Republican Congress, and he managed to outmaneuver them repeatedly.

Skill=Evaluate, Objective=28.4: Review the effects of the end of the Cold War, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Difficult

Essay Question 52 Explain how George W. Bush’s approval rating dropped from over 90 percent after driving the Taliban from power to 30 percent by the end of his presidency.

Global Correct Feedback: Despite losing the popular vote in the 2000 election, President Bush overcame his initial narrow electoral college victory over Gore when he responded vigorously to the 9/11 attacks with a “War on Terror.” After driving the Taliban from power in Afghanistan, Bush launched a successful attack on Iraq, which toppled Saddam Hussein. However, as the occupation of Iraq led to a quagmire of sectarian conflict and the fatalities of American soldiers mounted, the American public turned against Bush’s attempt to establish democracy in Iraq. Bush also was sometimes blamed for the financial crisis of 2008.

Skill=Analyze, Objective=28.4: Review the effects of the end of the Cold War, Topic=New Politics in a Conservative Age, Difficulty=Difficult