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History of America Study Guide

M/C Question 1 At the end of World War II, American policymakers generally envisioned a world

a) dominated by the Soviet Union.

b) in which the United States protected its trade position through high tariff barriers.

c) in which American values would spread.

d) from which the United States could isolate itself.

ANS: c

Skill=Understand, Objective=24.1: Examine the roots of the conflict that turned into the Cold War, Topic=Origins of the Cold War, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 2 After World War II, the Soviet Union

a) felt little effect from the war.

b) was determined to have a buffer zone for protection of its western border.

c) believed it was vulnerable on its eastern border.

d) aggressively pursued a policy of world revolution.

ANS: b

Skill=Understand, Objective=24.1: Examine the roots of the conflict that turned into the Cold War, Topic=Origins of the Cold War, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 3 As president, both Truman and Eisenhower

a) saw communism as a monolithic force.

b) feared Germany more than the Soviet Union.

c) had similar domestic programs.

d) subscribed to the Grand Alliance System.

ANS: a

Skill=Understand, Objective=24.1: Examine the roots of the conflict that turned into the Cold War, Topic=Origins of the Cold War, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 4 Joseph Stalin, who headed the government of the Soviet Union at the end of World War II, believed that

a) eastern Europe must be kept under Russia’s influence.

b) the United States should be trusted as an ally.

c) fairness was the best basis for governing the Soviet Union.

d) World War II had been a joint Allied victory.

ANS: a

Skill=Understand, Objective=24.1: Examine the roots of the conflict that turned into the Cold War, Topic=Origins of the Cold War, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 5 As World War II ended, most Americans

a) continued to regard Russian society as open and democratic.

b) found few parallels between the Nazi and Soviet systems.

c) believed the war had been fought for ill-defined reasons.

d) became increasingly fearful of the Soviet Union.

ANS: d

Skill=Understand, Objective=24.1: Examine the roots of the conflict that turned into the Cold War, Topic=Origins of the Cold War, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 6 The first confrontation between the Soviet Union and Western democracies even before the end of World War II came over

a) Poland.

b) China.

c) Germany.

d) Vietnam.

ANS: a

Skill=Factual, Objective=24.1: Examine the roots of the conflict that turned into the Cold War, Topic=Origins of the Cold War, Difficulty=Easy

M/C Question 7 In his negotiations with the Soviets concerning the postwar government in Poland, President Truman

a) refused to discuss the matter with Stalin at the Potsdam conference.

b) agreed to the establishment of a communist-controlled government there.

c) demanded that the Soviets accept the American position.

d) indicated a willingness to compromise on the issue.

ANS: c

Objective=24.1: Examine the roots of the conflict that turned into the Cold War, Topic=Origins of the Cold War, Skill=Understand, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 8 At the Potsdam Conference, President Truman

a) demanded that Stalin resign as leader of the Soviet Union before the United States would negotiate.

b) pressured the British to accept a communist government in Poland.

c) sought to reduce tensions with the Soviets.

d) learned that the United States had successfully tested an atomic bomb.

ANS: d

Skill=Understand, Objective=24.1: Examine the roots of the conflict that turned into the Cold War, Topic=Origins of the Cold War, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 9 At the end of World War II, President Truman

a) abruptly ended the lend-lease program to all European nations.

b) aided the Soviets in rebuilding their war-torn economy.

c) continued lend-lease to the British but not the Soviets.

d) honored President Franklin Roosevelt’s pledge at Yalta to give economic aid to the communist bloc countries.

ANS: a

Skill=Understand, Objective=24.1: Examine the roots of the conflict that turned into the Cold War, Topic=Origins of the Cold War, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 10 After Word War II, Winston Churchill

a) believed Britain and the United States could work out an alliance with the Soviet Union.

b) believed that Europe had become divided into two camps.

c) saw a future of peace and harmony throughout the world.

d) feared the growing military might of the United States.

ANS: b

Skill=Understand, Difficulty=Moderate, Objective=24.1: Examine the roots of the conflict that turned into the Cold War, Topic=Origins of the Cold War

M/C Question 11 The containment policy of the Truman administration

a) had little support from policymakers in Washington.

b) fostered stronger relations between the United States and the Soviet Union.

c) had been designed by Dean Acheson.

d) became the basis for American foreign policy in the post-World War II period.

ANS: d

Difficulty=Moderate, Skill=Understand, Objective=24.2: Review the post-World War II American rationale for containing the Soviet Union, Topic=Containing the Soviet Union

M/C Question 12 One effect of the Cold War was

a) to create a strong resistance to military pacts in the Senate.

b) a return of isolationist sentiments in the United States.

c) strong support for closer ties with the Soviet Union.

d) to commit the United States to involvement in European affairs.

ANS: d

Skill=Understand, Objective=24.2: Review the post-World War II American rationale for containing the Soviet Union, Topic=Containing the Soviet Union, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 13 Underlying the Marshall Plan was the assumption that

a) economic prosperity brings political stability.

b) the United States would not directly participate in the proposal.

c) Eastern Europe could be freed from Soviet domination.

d) it could convert the Soviet Union to democracy.

ANS: a

Skill=Understand, Objective=24.2: Review the post-World War II American rationale for containing the Soviet Union, Topic=Containing the Soviet Union, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 14 By 1947, United States policy regarding Germany

a) promoted the development of German economic strength.

b) placed an emphasis on keeping Germany divided.

c) had strong support from the other wartime Allies.

d) was designed to keep Germany in a colonial status.

ANS: a

Skill=Understand, Objective=24.2: Review the post-World War II American rationale for containing the Soviet Union, Topic=Containing the Soviet Union, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 15 America’s response to the Russian blockade of West Berlin was to

a) circumvent it by air.

b) turn Berlin over to the Soviets.

c) threaten a major war.

d) accept the Soviets’ demand that West Berlin be integrated into East Germany.

ANS: a

Skill=Understand, Objective=24.2: Review the post-World War II American rationale for containing the Soviet Union, Topic=Containing the Soviet Union, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 16 In 1950, the National Security Council, in document NSC-68,

a) urged cooperation between the United States and the Soviet Union.

b) rejected the Truman Doctrine.

c) considered good faith negotiations with the Soviet Union useless.

d) called for unilateral disarmament by the United States.

ANS: c

Skill=Understand, Objective=24.2: Review the post-World War II American rationale for containing the Soviet Union, Topic=Containing the Soviet Union, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 17 The leader who led the Chinese communists to control of the Chinese mainland in 1949 was

a) Mao Zedong.

b) Zhou Enlai.

c) Jiang Jieshi.

d) Deng Xiaoping.

ANS: a

Skill=Factual, Objective=24.3: Review the American policy of containment in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America in order to advance American aims, Topic=Containment in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, Difficulty=Easy

M/C Question 18 After the communists gained control of China in 1949,

a) the United States repudiated the leadership of Jiang Jieshi.

b) staunch anti-communists accused President Truman of losing China to the communists.

c) most Americans recognized that their triumph resulted from a long internal conflict within that country.

d) Secretary of State Dean Acheson claimed that the United States could have prevented the communist takeover.

ANS: b

Skill=Understand, Objective=24.3: Review the American policy of containment in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America in order to advance American aims, Topic=Containment in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 19 During the Korean War, President Truman

a) acted to oppose communist aggression.

b) clearly stated American objectives.

c) supported General Douglas MacArthur’s proposal to bomb communist bases in China.

d) reluctantly cooperated with the United Nations’ decision to defend South Korea.

ANS: a

M/C Question 20 The Korean War led the United States to sign a peace treaty with

a) Japan.

b) Germany.

c) China.

d) the Soviet Union.

ANS: a

M/C Question 21 When Ho Chi Minh established the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945, the United States

a) sent troops to restore the former government.

b) refused to recognize the new state.

c) welcomed the creation of a new democratic country.

d) signed a peace treaty with the new state.

ANS: b

M/C Question 22 During the Truman and Eisenhower administrations, in the Middle East the United States

a) moved to protect Western access to oil supplies.

b) successfully cooperated with the Soviets.

c) supported the British effort to prevent Egypt from taking control of the Suez Canal.

d) refused to recognize the state of Israel.

ANS: a

M/C Question 23 American action in Latin America during the 1950s

a) had little relationship to America’s Cold War policies.

b) demonstrated concern for political stability and American economic investments in the region.

c) led to strong pro-American feelings throughout Latin America.

d) showed support for the nationalist movements in the region.

ANS: b

M/C Question 24 While attempting to build an atomic bomb during World War II, the United States

a) decided to drop the bomb on Japan but not on Germany.

b) concealed the project from the Soviet Union.

c) concealed the project from the British.

d) shared the information with all of its allies.

ANS: b

Skill=Understand, Objective=24.4: Recognize how the development of atomic weapons and the hydrogen bomb led to the arms race between America and the Soviet Union, Topic=Atomic Weapons and the Cold War, Difficulty=Moderate

M/C Question 25 Concerning the issue of nuclear weapons development after World War II,

a) Secretary of State Henry Stimson proposed cooperating with the Soviet Union.

b) President Truman supported a joint Soviet-American effort.

c) most American scientists believed that the Soviets could never develop an atomic bomb.

d) most Americans believed that the United States should freely share its knowledge with other countries.

ANS: a

M/C Question 26 Upon learning that the Soviet Union had successfully tested an atomic bomb, the United States

a) threatened a preemptive air strike against the Soviets’ nuclear laboratories.

b) slowed down the pace of nuclear research.

c) authorized the development of the hydrogen super bomb.

d) responded with indifference.

ANS: c

Difficulty=Moderate, Skill=Understand, Objective=24.4: Recognize how the development of atomic weapons and the hydrogen bomb led to the arms race between America and the Soviet Union, Topic=Atomic Weapons and the Cold War

M/C Question 27 All of the following statements are true about the Japanese fishermen on the ship Lucky Dragon in 1957 EXCEPT:

a) The fishermen drifted near a radioactive fallout cloud left from American testing of nuclear bombs.

b) They became ill from radiation exposure.

c) One of the crewmen later died of exposure.

d) The United States immediately halted all testing of nuclear bombs as a result of the mistake.

ANS: d

M/C Question 28 What was the American reaction to the discovery of radioactive fallout?

a) Many fled the nation.

b) Many built fallout shelters.

c) Many marched on Washington, D. C., protesting the use of nuclear weapons.

d) Some Americans burned down nuclear facilities in the United States.

ANS: b

M/C Question 29 Which of the regions of the nation experienced the most growth in nuclear facilities after World War II?

a) the Deep South

b) the Northeast

c) the West

d) the Midwest

ANS: c

M/C Question 30 In what cities did the United States base its primary naval commands in the 1950s?

a) Seattle

b) San Diego

c) San Francisco

d) All of these answers are correct.

ANS: d

M/C Question 31 Secretary of State Dulles devised the policy of threatening the Soviets with

a) “massive retaliation.”

b) a “preemptive strike.”

c) “hot war.”

d) “détente.”

ANS: a

M/C Question 32 Regarding the aftermath of a possible coordinated atomic strike on the Soviet Union, Eisenhower became

a) excited.

b) gratified.

c) horrified.

d) disinterested.

ANS: c

M/C Question 33 Which of the following revolutions first brought communism into the international order?

a) Chinese

b) Russian

c) Vietnamese

d) French

ANS: b

M/C Question 34 The major congressional investigating committee on communism was known by the initials

a) WPA.

b) HOLC.

c) HUAC.

d) COINTELPRO.

ANS: c

M/C Question 35 The arrest in 1950 of which of the following couples led to a major communist witch hunt trial?

a) Ronald and Nancy Reagan

b) George and Laura Bush

c) Ethel and Julius Rosenberg

d) Jane and John Goodall

ANS: c

M/C Question 36 In 1949, which of the following unions expelled many of its affiliated unions for alleged communist ties?

a) AFL

b) IWW

c) CIO

d) UMW

ANS: c

Skill=Understand, Objective=24.5: Relate the American fear of radical subversion before and after the Russian Revolution to the impact of the Cold War on society in the United States, Topic=The Cold War at Home, Difficulty=Moderate, bookAuthor=Gary B Nash, Julie Roy Jeffrey , John R. Howe, Allan M. Winkler, Allen F. Davis, Charlene Mires, Peter J. Frederick, Carla Gardina Pestana

Essay

Essay Question 37 Assume that you were Val Lorwin. Describe your position in relation to the United States government from November 1950 through March 1952.

Global Correct Feedback: In 1950, Lorwin, a left-wing Socialist during the 1930s, found himself accused of having been a Communist Party member and, hence, a security risk in his government job, which he had held for 16 years. He was brought before a congressional investigating committee, which failed to protect his civil rights by refusing to identify his accuser. He was victimized by Senator McCarthy and did not have his name cleared until 1954.

Skill=Apply, Objective=24.5: Relate the American fear of radical subversion before and after the Russian Revolution to the impact of the Cold War on society in the United States, Topic=American Stories, Difficulty=Moderate

Essay Question 38 Contrast the American worldview with the Soviet worldview at the end of World War II.

Global Correct Feedback: The United States wanted to spread the vision of liberty, democracy, and economic opportunity, as well as promote free trade and markets for American products. The Soviets were concerned primarily with securing their borders, rebuilding their economy, and spreading communist ideology.

Skill=Analyze, Objective=24.1: Examine the roots of the conflict that turned into the Cold War, Topic=Origins of the Cold War, Difficulty=Moderate, bookAuthor=Gary B Nash, Julie Roy Jeffrey , John R. Howe, Allan M. Winkler, Allen F. Davis, Charlene Mires, Peter J. Frederick, Carla Gardina Pestana

Essay Question 39 Characterize the foreign policy interests of American presidents Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower, as well as the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

Global Correct Feedback: Both Truman and Eisenhower believed in self-determination and the superiority of American institutions. Both opposed communism, although Eisenhower was more willing to be accommodating. Ruthless Stalin was determined to rebuild the USSR and maintain control of Eastern Europe.

Essay Question 40 Discuss the background to the Polish question and illustrate how it became the first confrontation in the Cold War.

Global Correct Feedback: Disagreements over what kind of postwar government the Allies would establish in Poland surfaced first at the Yalta Conference. Truman demanded of the Soviet ambassador to the United States that a democratic government be established in Poland.

Essay Question 41 Discuss the issue of American aid to the Allies at the end of World War II and explain how the American position contributed to the development of the Cold War with the Soviet Union.

Global Correct Feedback: Truman decided to abruptly end lend-lease, which hurt the Soviet Union most of all the affected countries. Truman then attempted to use the offer of American economic aid to press the Soviets into allowing American access to markets traditionally dominated by the Soviet Union. Instead, Stalin chose to develop a five-year plan for the rebuilding of the Soviet economy, independent of American help.

Skill=Analyze, Objective=24.2: Review the post-World War II American rationale for containing the Soviet Union, Topic=Containing the Soviet Union, Difficulty=Moderate, bookAuthor=Gary B Nash, Julie Roy Jeffrey , John R. Howe, Allan M. Winkler, Allen F. Davis, Charlene Mires, Peter J. Frederick, Carla Gardina Pestana

Essay Question 42 Discuss the development of the United States’ containment policy and explain the major attempts of the American government to implement it prior to 1950.

Global Correct Feedback: George Kennan argued that diplomatic negotiations with the Soviets were useless for a variety of reasons, a position reaffirmed in 1950 in National Security Council document 68. Only by containing the spread of Soviet control and influence could the United States effectively deal with the Soviets. Hence, the United States provided aid to Greece and Turkey, announced the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, supported the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, unified West Germany, and carried out the Berlin airlift.

Skill=Analyze, Objective=24.2: Review the post-World War II American rationale for containing the Soviet Union, Topic=Containing the Soviet Union, Difficulty=Difficult, bookAuthor=Gary B Nash, Julie Roy Jeffrey , John R. Howe, Allan M. Winkler, Allen F. Davis, Charlene Mires, Peter J. Frederick, Carla Gardina Pestana

Essay Question 43 Suppose you were a Chinese communist leader in 1950. Explain how you would have felt about the situation in China, as well as about the response of the United States to that situation.

Global Correct Feedback: The Chinese communists saw the existing government in China as corrupt and inefficient, leaving the Chinese people in poverty, disease, and oppression, which they believed were the causes of the civil war that developed. They viewed the Americans as “imperialists” and confiscated American property in China, leading to a hysterical reaction in the United States. This American hostility led the communist Chinese to ally more closely with the Soviet Union.

Skill=Apply, Objective=24.3: Review the American policy of containment in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America in order to advance American aims, Topic=Containment in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, Difficulty=Difficult, bookAuthor=Gary B Nash, Julie Roy Jeffrey , John R. Howe, Allan M. Winkler, Allen F. Davis, Charlene Mires, Peter J. Frederick, Carla Gardina Pestana

Essay Question 44 Suppose that you had been General Douglas MacArthur leading the United Nations’ forces in the Korean War. Explain your objectives in the war, as well as how you would respond to President Truman’s approach to the war.

Global Correct Feedback: MacArthur believed he was a military commander of superior abilities. He was determined to defeat the North Koreans and establish United Nations’ control in the North, and he believed that bombing North Korean supply bases inside China was essential to achieving these goals. The limited war that Truman attempted to pursue resulted in great frustration for him and led him to criticize the president publicly.

Essay Question 45 Imagine that you were the Central American correspondent of an American news magazine during the 1950s. How would you evaluate the economic and political conditions of Latin America, and how would you explain the United States’s reaction to the Castro revolution in Cuba?

Global Correct Feedback: Americans controlled much of the Central American economy. This fact and exercise of American power in the region had generated much hostility toward U.S. involvement in Central America. The forces of nationalism and social reform were at work in the area. Many Americans feared the spread of communism there, leading to Eisenhower’s decision to cut off exports and sever diplomatic relations with Cuba after Castro established a communist-oriented government on the island.

History of America Study Guide

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