Topic 15: Postwar America
SEC. 100. The Veterans' Administration is hereby declared to be an essential war agency and entitled, second only to the War and Navy Departments, to priorities in personnel, equipment, supplies, and material under any laws, Executive orders, and regulations pertaining to priorities, and in appointments of personnel from civil-service registers the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs is hereby granted the same authority and discretion as the War and Navy Departments and the United States Public Health Service: Provided, That the provisions of this section as to priorities for materials shall apply to any State institution to be built for the care or hospitalization of veterans This text is from an act otherwise known as the A. GI Bill. B. Fair Deal. C. Marshall Plan. D. Taft-Hartley Act.
A. GI Bill.
Why didn't the West launch a military operation to end the Berlin blockade? A. The distance from West Germany to Berlin would make a military operation difficult. B. Funding from the Marshall Plan was not available to finance the operation. C. Ending the blockade was inconsistent with the idea of containing further Soviet expansion. D. President Truman and Congress were against ending the Berlin blockade.
A. The distance from West Germany to Berlin would make a military operation difficult.
Secretary of State Dulles's approach to war can best be described as A. brinkmanship. B. massive retaliation. C. peaceful coexistence. D.mutually assured destruction.
A. brinkmanship.
The Truman Doctrine was established because of fears that A. communism would spread to other countries. B. the Soviet Union would invade Eastern Europe. C. U.S. allies would not have enough economic aid after World War II. D. an international force was not strong enough to face the Communist threat.
A. communism would spread to other countries.
"The West has won! I say this quite deliberately in such a crass way because you wanted to know how I felt emotionally. The West—well, we have succeeded. And the West has won and the others have not!" In this text, Barowsky was discussing how the Berlin Airlift A. succeeded in showing that the Soviet Union could be challenged. B. showed how the West could unite Berlin and defeat communism. C. failed to allow the Soviet Union to be defeated by the West. D. accomplished the Soviet goal of forcing the West to surrender.
A. succeeded in showing that the Soviet Union could be challenged.
What was a significant turning point in the Korean War? A. Eisenhower's visit to Korea B. China's entry into the war C. Truman's firing of MacArthur D. the Soviet Union's invasion of South Korea
B. China's entry into the war
The automobile and the expansion of roadway systems in the 1950s led to the growth of A. Ethnic neighborhoods B. Suburban areas C. Urban areas D. Rural zones
B. Suburban areas
Why was the end of the Korean War considered a stalemate? A. The cold war continued B. The north and south were still divided C. Both the north and south lost many lives D. The United States removed all of its troops
B. The north and south were still divided
The GI Bill affected American society after World War II by a. eliminating child labor b. expanding voting rights c. increasing spending on space exploration d. extending educational and housing opportunities
d. extending educational and housing opportunities
In an effort to both distinguish himself from Truman's policy of containment and eliminate the expense of maintaining a large conventional army, Eisenhower pursued a foreign policy collectively known as a. flexible response b. isolationism c. manifest destiny d. massive retaliation
d. massive retaliation
Which foreign policy decision by President Harry Truman is an example of the policy of containment? a. relieving General MacArthur of his Korean command b. recognizing the new nation of Israel c. supporting the trials of war criminals in Germany and Japan d. providing military aid to Greece and Turkey
d. providing military aid to Greece and Turkey
During the Korean War, President Harry Truman removed General Douglas MacArthur from command because MacArthur a. called for an immediate end to the war b. refused to serve under the United Nations c. lacked the experience to provide wartime leadership d. threatened the constitutional principle of civilian control of the military
d. threatened the constitutional principle of civilian control of the military
"The launching by the Soviet Union of the first earth satellite is an event of considerable technical and scientific importance. However, that importance should not be exaggerated. What has happened involves no basic discovery and the value of a satellite to mankind will for a long time be highly problematical. That the Soviet Union was first in this project is due to the high priority which the Soviet Union gives to scientific training and to the fact that since 1945 the Soviet Union has particularly emphasized developments in the fields of missiles and of outer space... The Soviets [have concentrated] upon developments in this field with a use of resources and effort not possible in time of peace to societies where the people are free to engage in pursuits of their own choosing and where public monies are limited by representatives of the people. Despotic societies which can command the activities and resources of all their people can often produce spectacular accomplishments. These, however, do not prove that freedom is not the best way." According to Dulles, why did the Soviets launch a satellite before the Americans? A. Their natural resources are greater than those in the United States. B. Their government dictated that the necessary resources be utilized. C. Their priorities lean towards conquest rather than promoting freedom. D. Their engineers were threatened with punishment if they did not do so.
B. Their government dictated that the necessary resources be utilized.
How did many citizens of Soviet-dominated countries in Eastern Europe interpret Khrushchev's talk of "peaceful co-existence" in the mid 1950s? A. an invitation to align themselves with NATO B. an opportunity to gain a degree of political autonomy C. a chance to benefit from Soviet economic expansion D. a statement that the Soviets would maintain control
B. an opportunity to gain a degree of political autonomy
During the postwar era, all minorities faced problems stemming from A. the legacy of slavery. B. discrimination in housing and employment. C. forced removal to reservations. D. language barriers and cultural segregation.
B. discrimination in housing and employment.
Which of the following had the largest role in increasing consumer consumption during the 1950s? A. suburban migration B. ease in obtaining credit C. technological innovations D. an increase in shopping centers
B. ease in obtaining credit
"The undersigned, the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, on the one hand, and the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and the Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers, on the other hand, in the interest of stopping the Korean conflict, with its great toil of suffering and bloodshed on both sides, and with the objective of establishing an armistice which will insure a complete cessation of hostilities and of all acts of armed force in Korea until a final peaceful settlement is achieved, do individually, collectively, and mutually agree to accept and to be bound and governed by the conditions and terms of armistice set forth in the following articles and paragraphs, which said conditions and terms are intended to be purely military in character and to pertain solely to the belligerents in Korea..." The text above is from an agreement that A. ended the Korean War. B. established a cease-fire in Korea. C. ended American intervention in Korea. D. established a democratic government in Korea.
B. established a cease-fire in Korea.
The fact that 1950 saw the greatest increase in the production of televisions is an indication of... A. Cold War fears. B. postwar prosperity. C.the growing arms race. D. inflation and economic slump.
B. postwar prosperity.
The Smith Act was passed because of concerns that... A. freedom of speech was threatened. B. some might advocate government overthrow. C. government agencies would screen employees for loyalty. D. laws might be introduced to arrest potential communists.
B. some might advocate government overthrow.
What was the primary challenge faced by Hispanic immigrants since the 1940s? A. lack of jobs in the cities B. unfair treatment by employers C. lack of jobs in agriculture D. unfair legislation by the federal government
B. unfair treatment by employers
During the 1950s, how did the Republican Party hope to support a balanced federal budget and counter communist countries? A. By relying on a large army and navy B. By relying on long-range bombers C. By relying on nuclear weapons D. By relying on foreign aid
C. By relying on nuclear weapons
The change in the nation's attitude toward membership in the League of Nations and membership in the United Nations shows the contrast between A. Asia. B. Latin America. C. Eastern Europe. D. Western Europe
C. Eastern Europe.
How was the economy affected by corporate expansion in the 1950s? A. It improved with more information technology jobs. B. It struggled and strikes interrupted production. C. It boomed as the middle class grew. D. It declined as regulation increased.
C. It boomed as the middle class grew.
Which of these action is an example of checks and balances? A. President Reagan sent troops to Grenada B. Congress passed a law raising the income tax C. President Truman vetoed the Taft-Hartley Act D. State governments passed laws setting speed limits
C. President Truman vetoed the Taft-Hartley Act
One consequence of World War II was that the United States A. Returned to its isolationist tendencies B. Avoided foreign conflicts C. Remain deeply involved in world affairs D. Reduced its military spending
C. Remain deeply involved in world affairs
"The time is past when a boy's chief possession was his bike and a girl's party wardrobe consisted of a fancy dress worn with a string of dime-store pearls. . . . Today's teenagers surround themselves with a fantastic array of garish and often expensive baubles and amusements. They own 10 million phonographs, over a million TV sets, 13 million cameras." This text underlies what growing phenomenon of the 1950s? A. the nuclear family B. permissive culture C. increased consumption D. technological advancement
C. increased consumption
Presidents Truman and Eisenhower both provided strong leadership in the 1940s and 1950s by" A. actively containing communist aggression. B. reducing conventional forces in favor of nuclear weapons. C. promoting social welfare programs while reducing defense budgets. D. encouraging dialogue with communist countries through the United Nations.
C. promoting social welfare programs while reducing defense budgets.
What was a major outcome of the Korean War (1950-1953)? a. Korea continued to be a divided nation. b. North Korea became an ally of the United States. c. South Korea became a communist nation. d. Control of Korea was turned over to the United Nations.
a. Korea continued to be a divided nation.
The goal of President Harry Truman's Fair Deal was to a. continue reforms begun during Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency b. decrease government spending on social welfare programs c. reduce taxes on large corporations and wealthy individuals d. restore domestic policies that existed in the 1920s
a. continue reforms begun during Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency
In 1957, the Eisenhower Doctrine expanded the principles of the Truman Doctrine by extending Middle East military assistance in order to a. offset communist influence in the region b. combat anti-American terrorist threats c. force the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to end its oil embargo d. defend Israel against Arab invasions
a. offset communist influence in the region
Which development is reflected in these headlines? a. the post-World War II expansion of communism b. the beginning of détente between the Soviet Union and the United States c. the return to an isolationist foreign policy d. the beginning of pro-democracy movements during the Cold War
a. the post-World War II expansion of communism
Which speakers reflect the foreign policy beliefs of the Truman administration after World War II? a. A and B b. B and C c. A and D d. C and D
b. B and C
". . . The American people are sick and tired of being afraid to speak their minds lest they be politically smeared as 'Communists' or 'Fascists' by their opponents. Freedom of speech is not what it used to be in America. It has been so abused by some that it is not exercised by others.The American people are sick and tired of seeing innocent people smeared and guilty people whitewashed. But there have been enough proved cases to cause nationwide distrust and strong suspicion that there may be something to the unproved, sensational accusations. . . ." When Senator Smith spoke these words, she was reacting to a. the Yellow Peril b. McCarthyism c. the Eisenhower Doctrine d. Progressivism
b. McCarthyism
The United States carried out the idea expressed in this late 1940s cartoon bya. forming a. forming a military alliance with Russia b. airlifting supplies to West Berlin c. accepting Russian authority over West Berlin d. agreeing to turn over control of Berlin to the United Nations
b. airlifting supplies to West Berlin
". . . Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. . . ." This statement by President Kennedy suggests a continued commitment to the foreign policy of a. isolationism b. containment c. appeasement d. imperialism
b. containment
Information provided by the graph indicates that the Marshall Plan tried to prevent the spread of communism in Europe by a. providing military aid to France and Great Britain b. restoring economic stability throughout Western Europe c. encouraging domestic revolutions in Europe d. making European nations dependent on the United Nations
b. restoring economic stability throughout Western Europe
The main goal of the Truman Doctrine was to a. promote free elections in Europe. b. restrict the spread of communism. c. force Germany to pay war reparations. d. maintain international peace through the UN.
b. restrict the spread of communism.
The primary goal of the United States foreign policy of containment was to a. return to noninvolvement in world affairs b. stop communist influence from spreading c. gain territories in Africa and Latin America d. overthrow existing dictatorships
b. stop communist influence from spreading
McCarthyism in the early 1950s resulted from a. new commitments to civil rights for African Americans b. opposition to the Marshall Plan c. charges that Communists had infiltrated the United States government d. increased public support for labor unions
c. charges that Communists had infiltrated the United States government
The immediate impact of the 1957 launch of Sputnik I was that it a. forced the United States to find new sources of fuel b. focused attention on the need to regulate the uses of outer space c. heightened the space race as a form of Cold War competition d. ended the period of peaceful coexistence between the United States and the Soviet Union
c. heightened the space race as a form of Cold War competition
The main foreign policy objective of the Marshall Plan (1948-1952) was to a. stop communist aggression in Korea b. fight poverty in Latin America c. rebuild the economies of European nations d. provide jobs for unemployed Americans
c. rebuild the economies of European nations
The Eisenhower Doctrine promised aid to any Middle Eastern nations threatened by communism. Why was this doctrine inspired in part by the Suez Canal Crisis? A. Eisenhower thought that Egypt might use Soviet forces to hold on to the canal. B. Eisenhower believed that communist influence was growing in Egypt. C.Eisenhower wanted to prevent communist countries from using the canal. D. Britain and France had tried to regain the canal with Soviet help.
D. Britain and France tried to regain the canal with Soviet help.
The 38th parallel was the basis of A. a conflict over shipping routes between Japan and North Korea. B. a new economic development zone related to the Marshall Plan. C. diplomatic talks that led to peace between North and South Korea. D. a cease-fire in the conflict between North and South Korea.
D. a cease-fire in the conflict between North and South Korea.
The National Defense Education Act was passed amidst fears that A. there were not enough officers in U.S. military academies. B. the Soviet Union was producing better scientists and technology. C. the U.S. was falling behind in standards of literacy. D. arts were being funded more than science and math.
D. arts were being funded more than science and math.
In the 1950s, middle class prosperity and the abundance of inexpensive goods had the unexpected effect of A. encouraging discontent with conformity and materialism. B. converting more people to communism. C. damaging the environment. D. inspiring rock n' roll music.
D. inspiring rock n' roll music.
Which of the following had the biggest impact on post-war economic prosperity in the United States? A. demobilization B. the Marshall Plan C. postwar inflation D. the GI Bill of Rights
D. the GI Bill of Rights
The Eisenhower administration transformed the American landscape forever by A. maintaining national parks, B. funding highway construction that helped the suburbs spread. C. providing low-interest loans to home buyers. D.strengthening national defense.
D.strengthening national defense.
