US History B - Unit #1

Supporters of using the atomic bomb against Japan believed it would A. save American lives. B. end the war in Europe. C. improve relations with China. D. improve relations with Russia.

A. save American lives.

This map illustrates A. the countries occupied by Germany. B. the countries occupied by France. C. that Norway was not under German occupation. D. that Belgium was not under German occupation.

A. the countries occupied by Germany.

During World War II, the government argued that it should be able to waive the Fourteenth Amendment, claiming A. this Amendment did not apply during war time. B. certain groups could be excluded from this protection. C. the Amendment should be overturned. D. the President could opt out of any Amendment during war time.

A. this Amendment did not apply during war time.

After World War II, why did the Soviet Union take over a number of countries to its west? A. to create a buffer zone between itself and the Western powers B. to build an empire to rival that of enemies such as the United States C. to punish Germany for its aggression during the war D. to ensure compliance with the Declaration on Liberated Europe

A. to create a buffer zone between itself and the Western powers

As British and American forces moved through Italy in 1943, General Eisenhower A. was in England, planning and preparing the Normandy invasion. B. was in the United States, aiding development of antisubmarine weapons. C. was in Australia, developing a Pacific strategy with General MacArthur. D. was in the Soviet Union, meeting with Allied leaders to plan attacks.

A. was in England, planning and preparing the Normandy invasion.

What made Germany's invasions of Europe difficult to stop during World War II? A. Germany's bombs and torpedoes B. Germany's powerful U-boats C. Germany's air attacks and fast-moving ground troops D. Germany's fast-moving sea attacks and powerful navy

C. Germany's air attacks and fast-moving ground troops

During World War II, which were Allied nations? A. France and Switzerland B. Germany and Italy C. Great Britain and the Soviet Union D. Great Britain and Switzerland

C. Great Britain and the Soviet Union

Which of the following best characterizes Japan in the early 1940s? A. It was a natural enemy of Hitler's Germany. B. It was a small, isolated power. C. It controlled a large empire. D. It had been avoiding war and conflict.

C. It controlled a large empire.

How did the US change the government of Japan after World War II? A. It allowed the emperor to gain more power. B. It put Japan's military in charge. C. It barred former soldiers from voting. D. It created a democratic government.

D. It created a democratic government.

Germany lost an important World War II ally when A. France fell to US and British forces. B. the Soviet Union invaded Germany. C. the Soviet Union surrendered to US forces. D. Italy surrendered to US and British forces.

D. Italy surrendered to US and British forces.

At the Potsdam Conference, which country did Allied leaders make larger? A. Germany B. the Soviet Union C. France D. Poland

D. Poland

Germany's invasion of which country started World War II? A. Great Britain B. the Soviet Union C. France D. Poland

D. Poland

Which of the following is a characteristic of fascism but not of democracy? A. government control of the military B. the existence of several political parties C. freedom to criticize the government D. a lack of individual civil liberties

D. a lack of individual civil liberties

Before World War II, women had served in war as A. combat soldiers. B. air traffic controllers. C. officers. D. nurses.

D. nurses.

Totalitarian governments are characterized by extreme nationalism, or the belief that A. all nations should belong to an international organization. B. all nations are of equal importance. C. one's country is inferior to other countries. D. one's country is superior to other countries.

D. one's country is superior to other countries.

Which caused the US Army to take over the atomic research project being conducted at Columbia University in the early 1940s? A. the first atomic bomb test B. a letter from Albert Einstein C. Japan's research into atomic bombs D. the US entry into World War II

D. the US entry into World War II

The international peacekeeping organization formed directly after World War II was called A. the European Common Market. B. the League of Nations. C. the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. D. the United Nations.

D. the United Nations.

Where did US military officials expect the Japanese to attack during World War II? A. Hawaii B. Asia C. Europe D. Washington, DC

B. Asia

During World War II, Germany was a member of the A. Allies. B. Axis. C. European Theater. D. Pacific Theater.

B. Axis.

How did Poland change after the war? A. It lost some of its western land to Germany. B. It gained land from Germany in the west. C. It became a member of the Allies. D. It maintained its neutrality.

B. It gained land from Germany in the west.

Roosevelt's Four Freedoms speech signaled a shift in US foreign policy from isolationism to A. interdependence. B. internationalism. C. independence. D. nationalism.

B. internationalism.

During World War II in Europe, American troops played a significant role in which of the following? A. the fall of Berlin B. the D-Day invasions C. the Battle of Stalingrad D. the Battle of Liberation

B. the D-Day invasions

Passage of the Lend-Lease Act in 1941 signaled A. the entry of the United States into World War II. B. the end of American neutrality in World War II. C. the start of American neutrality in World War II. D. the decision of the United States to back the Axis powers.

B. the end of American neutrality in World War II.

Read the following excerpt from Executive Order 9981 issued by President Harry S. Truman in 1948. "It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin." The order is addressing the fact that up until this time, African Americans in the US military A. had equal access to jobs and pay. B. were segregated based on race. C. were represented equally in leadership. D. had access to better training programs.

B. were segregated based on race.

Under a totalitarian form of government, citizens lack the civil liberties that citizens under democratic governments enjoy. As an example, there is no right to A. support their government. B. attend school. C. exercise freedom of speech. D. join the armed forces.

C. exercise freedom of speech.

Which of the following was Hitler's first violation of the Treaty of Versailles? A. the German invasion of Poland B. the German invasion of Czechoslovakia C. the German invasion of the Rhineland D. the German invasion of Manchuria

C. the German invasion of the Rhineland

Which Allied nation dropped the atomic bomb on Japan in 1945? A. Britain B. United States C. Australia D. France

B. United States

Which of the following labels best describes the shaded areas on the map? A. Western Europe B. East Germany C. Communist States D. United States

C. Communist States

During World War II, the United States was a member of the A. Allies. B. Axis. C. European Theater. D. Pacific Theater.

A. Allies.

During World War II, which was an Allied nation? A. China B. Hong Kong C. Japan D. the Philippines

A. China

Who was the supreme commander of Allied troops during the final years of World War II? A. Dwight D. Eisenhower B. Winston Churchill C. Douglas MacArthur D. George Marshall

A. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Following World War II, President Truman's ambitious domestic agenda was known as the A. Fair Deal. B. New Deal. C. Right Deal. D. Square Deal.

A. Fair Deal.

Who issued Executive Order 9066? A. Franklin Roosevelt B. Theodore Roosevelt C. Congress D. the Supreme Court

A. Franklin Roosevelt

At the Arcadia Conference in January, 1942, what argument persuaded President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill to pursue a "Europe-first" strategy? A. Germany was threatening Great Britain and the Soviet Union. B. The US was preparing to fight Japan, the strongest Axis nation. C. Military leaders felt it was necessary to focus on Europe first. D. The Allies had to stop Germany from sending reinforcements to Japan.

A. Germany was threatening Great Britain and the Soviet Union.

What made it increasingly difficult for President Roosevelt to stay neutral during World War II? A. Germany's growing power and Britain's desperate need B. Britain's growing power and China's desperate need C. Germany's growing power and Japan's desperate need D. Britain's growing power and Germany's desperate need

A. Germany's growing power and Britain's desperate need

What did President Roosevelt do to help minorities during World War II? A. He banned discrimination in government hiring. B. He banned Jim Crow segregation laws. C. He gave minorities the right to vote. D. He established the GI bill for returning soldiers.

A. He banned discrimination in government hiring.

Why did Germany sign a nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union in 1939? A. Hitler wanted to prevent a two-front war. B. Hitler wanted to make the Soviet Union part of Germany. C. Hitler wanted to make the Soviet Union a close ally. D. Hitler wanted the Soviet Union to loan Germany arms.

A. Hitler wanted to prevent a two-front war.

How did the US computer ENIAC help the war effort? A. It did complex calculations needed to accurately fire artillery. B. It did complex calculations that planned battle strategies. C. It decoded the German language. D. It decoded the Japanese language.

A. It did complex calculations needed to accurately fire artillery.

Which statement best describes the Manhattan Project during World War II? A. It was a large project that employed many people at several sites across the United States. B. It was a large project that only employed a small number of people at two different sites. C. It was a small project that employed a few people at one site in New York City. D. It was a small project that employed a few people at many sites across the United States.

A. It was a large project that employed many people at several sites across the United States.

A result of the atomic bombs dropped by the US on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was that A. Japan surrendered within a few days. B. Japan continued to fight. C. Japan launched a counterattack. D. Japan repelled a US invasion.

A. Japan surrendered within a few days.

The Japanese planned to continue advancing and taking islands in the Pacific. Which of the following losses changed that plan? A. Japan's loss of aircraft carriers in the Battle of Midway. B. Japan's loss of its naval base on the island of Midway. C. Japan's loss of its airfield on Guadalcanal. D. Japan's loss of ships and planes in the Coral Sea.

A. Japan's loss of aircraft carriers in the Battle of Midway.

What was the main way that war mobilization helped to end the Great Depression? A. Many unemployed people went to work in war-related industries. B. Many unemployed men were forced to enlist as soldiers. C. Many people grew rich from new technologies. D. Many people found jobs in industries that did not produce war products.

A. Many unemployed people went to work in war-related industries.

Which of the following events occurred on the Italian mainland as Allied forces moved across the island of Sicily during the summer of 1943? A. Mussolini was removed from power. B. Germany invaded northern Italy. C. Britain invaded northern Italy. D. Mussolini launched counteroffensives.

A. Mussolini was removed from power.

How did President Truman's Executive Order 9981 show progress toward racial equality? A. The order ended segregation in the military. B. The order set up integrated military housing for soldiers. C. The order dismantled the internment camps for Japanese Americans. D. The order gave medals of honor to injured servicemen of different backgrounds.

A. The order ended segregation in the military.

How did US pilots contribute to the Allied war effort in Europe during World War II? A. They carried out countless bombing raids on targets in Germany. B. They sank ships carrying supplies to Britain and the Soviet Union. C. They trained British pilots in effective air support techniques. D. They ferried retreating troops between Europe and Great Britain.

A. They carried out countless bombing raids on targets in Germany.

How did entertainers assist the government's World War II propaganda campaign? A. They promoted enlistment and other patriotic activities. B. They served in the military. C. They entertained troops at home and abroad. D. They formed the United Service Organizations.

A. They promoted enlistment and other patriotic activities.

What types of military jobs did women take in World War II? A. air traffic controller jobs B. combat jobs C. jobs in munitions factories D. jobs in shipyards

A. air traffic controller jobs

Which of the following did the US produce more of during World War II than Germany, Japan, and Italy combined? A. aircraft B. automobiles C. helmets D. uniforms

A. aircraft

How did the Navajo serve in World War II? A. as code talkers in the Pacific B. as journalists reporting from the front lines C. as translators of Japanese codes D. as scouts who checked troop routes

A. as code talkers in the Pacific

How did the United States mobilize prior to joining World War II? A. by boosting wartime production for the Allies B. by planning to drop atomic bombs on Japan C. by boosting wartime production for the Axis powers D. by joining the peace movement

A. by boosting wartime production for the Allies

How did the United States mobilize 12 million military service members by 1945? A. by using a combination of required registration for the draft and appealing to Americans' patriotic duty to volunteer B. by conscripting all American men between the ages of 18 and 45 to serve in the Army, Navy, or Marines C. by using financial incentives to encourage young men to volunteer in exchange for generous bonuses after the war D. by allowing women to serve in all military roles to encourage greater overall enlistment numbers

A. by using a combination of required registration for the draft and appealing to Americans' patriotic duty to volunteer

Fred Korematsu argued that internment was unconstitutional mainly because internees A. did not receive due process. B. did not pose a threat to the US. C. were citizens who paid taxes. D. made the country safer.

A. did not receive due process.

At the Yalta Conference, what did Allied leaders decide to do with Germany? A. divide it into four Allied-occupied zones B. divide its territory among neighboring countries C. make it a territory of the United States D. make it a democracy with free elections

A. divide it into four Allied-occupied zones

The town of Los Alamos, New Mexico, was built by the US government in the early 1940s as a site A. for research on atomic weapons. B. for the first atomic bomb test. C. to house planes with atomic weapons. D. to house scientists from Nazi Germany.

A. for research on atomic weapons.

What made Allied leaders worry about the cost of invading the Japanese mainland? A. kamikaze fighters B. machine guns C. atomic bombs D. warplanes

A. kamikaze fighters

Internment camps were also known as A. relocation centers. B. assembly centers. C. military prisons. D. exclusion zones.

A. relocation centers.

During World War II, which battle was the first significant US victory in the Pacific? A. Battle of the Coral Sea B. Battle of Midway C. Battle of Guadalcanal D. Battle of Iwo Jima

B. Battle of Midway

Which of the following did General Douglas MacArthur do in the Southwest Pacific during World War II? A. He commanded half of the American naval fleet. B. He led US ground forces in an "island-hopping" campaign. C. He worked behind the scenes with Australian leaders. D. He was a field marshal in the Filipino armed forces.

B. He led US ground forces in an "island-hopping" campaign.

How did the Munich Agreement affect Germany's actions in the Czech region of the Sudetenland? A. It led Germany to declare war on France and Britain. B. It led Germany to invade and occupy the rest of Czechoslovakia. C. It led Germany to announce that Nazi ideals had finally been achieved. D. It led Germany to uphold the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles.

B. It led Germany to invade and occupy the rest of Czechoslovakia.

What action broke off US negotiations with Japan? A. Japan's war with China B. Japan's invasion of Indochina C. Japan's pact with Germany and Italy D. Japan's pact with Indochina

B. Japan's invasion of Indochina

Which of the following best describes the state of the US economy in 1939? A. The US economy was in a boom. B. The US economy was in a depression. C. The US economy had low unemployment. D. The US economy had strong business growth.

B. The US economy was in a depression.

How did the Destroyers for Bases agreement President Roosevelt signed help Britain and its allies? A. The agreement put US bases on Soviet territory. B. The agreement put US bases on British territory. C. The agreement put US destroyers in Soviet waters. D. The agreement put US destroyers in German waters.

B. The agreement put US bases on British territory.

Which is a result of island-hopping? A. Islands were bombed from the air without the use of land troops. B. The end of the war was faster and fewer lives were lost. C. Islands that were once held by the US are now held by Japan. D. The axis powers gained additional power in the Pacific.

B. The end of the war was faster and fewer lives were lost.

Why did President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill want to create the Declaration on Liberated Europe? A. They wanted to make sure Germany would not be able to start another war of aggression. B. They wanted to curb Joseph Stalin's power and limit the spread of the Soviet Union. C. They wanted to ensure that the nations under German control would again be free. D. They wanted to create an international organization to prevent global wars in the future.

B. They wanted to curb Joseph Stalin's power and limit the spread of the Soviet Union.

Changes made by the United States after World War II affected the agricultural system in Japan by A. encouraging farmers to form labor unions. B. allowing farmers to buy the land they farmed. C. putting farms under government control. D. causing crop production to decrease.

B. allowing farmers to buy the land they farmed.

Which of the following best describes the role of General Omar Bradley? A. supreme commander of Allied forces during World War II B. commander of the US 12th Army Group in 1944 C. supreme commander of the Southwest Pacific Area D. commander of the US 7th Army Group in 1943

B. commander of the US 12th Army Group in 1944

As they moved toward their final military targets in World War II, Allied troops A. encountered heavy German civilian resistance. B. discovered Nazi concentration camps. C. were surprised to find German cities in ruins. D. captured Hitler and his high-level staff.

B. discovered Nazi concentration camps.

During World War II, Germany tried to capture the Russian city of Stalingrad because A. it was the site of atrocities committed by Stalin. B. it produced armaments for the Soviet army. C. it had a large and persecuted German population. D. it was where aggression against Germany was centered.

B. it produced armaments for the Soviet army.

Gasoline was rationed during World War II because A. there were no gas stations. B. it was in short supply. C. prices were high. D. prices were low.

B. it was in short supply.

The Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company produced this poster during World War II in order to A. illustrate that women were strong enough to join the military. B. promote the idea that working was a woman's patriotic duty. C. educate the public about different jobs available to women. D. show support for women while their husbands were at war.

B. promote the idea that working was a woman's patriotic duty.

The military code-talking system refers to A. strict rules about how soldiers behave. B. secret languages used for communication. C. the special technique of pronouncing letters and numbers. D. the chain of command ranking structure of the armed forces.

B. secret languages used for communication.

Why did the US government think internment camps were necessary during World War II? A. to protect against discrimination B. to protect national security C. to improve relations with Japan D. to improve relations with Germany

B. to protect national security

Winston Churchill's reaction to the 1938 Munich Agreement was A. to threaten war with Germany should Hitler continue his aggression. B. to warn Neville Chamberlain that war was inevitable. C. to declare war on Germany, thus beginning World War II. D. to keep silent and let Germany handle its own affairs.

B. to warn Neville Chamberlain that war was inevitable.

In which branch of the service was the WAC? A. Marines B. Air Force C. Army D. Navy

C. Army

During World War II, who was the commander-in-chief of the Pacific fleet? A. Dwight D. Eisenhower B. Douglas MacArthur C. Chester Nimitz D. George S. Patton

C. Chester Nimitz

Why was Japan so successful in expanding its territory in 1942? A. It negotiated treaties that gave it influence over nearby nations. B. It had a large military force despite poor training and equipment. C. It did not have to fight the majority of US forces. D. It enjoyed popular support in US territories in the South Pacific.

C. It did not have to fight the majority of US forces.

How did radar technology help the British win the Battle of Britain? A. It helped them fly faster. B. It helped them find and attack German ships. C. It helped them find and attack German planes. D. It helped them fly farther.

C. It helped them find and attack German planes.

The US was called the Arsenal of Democracy because A. It was the country where all weapons were kept. B. It provided supplies for the Axis war effort, not just the US effort. C. It provided supplies for the Allied war effort, not just the US effort. D. It was the country where all aircraft were housed.

C. It provided supplies for the Allied war effort, not just the US effort.

Which of the following occurred after Allied forces invaded the Italian mainland in 1943? A. German forces retreated from Italy. B. Axis forces repelled the Allies. C. Italian forces quickly surrendered. D. Italian forces helped Mussolini escape.

C. Italian forces quickly surrendered.

What improvement made to penicillin during World War II saved many soldiers' lives? A. Different types of penicillin were developed. B. Stronger types of penicillin were developed. C. Larger quantities of penicillin were made. D. Smaller quantities of penicillin were made.

C. Larger quantities of penicillin were made.

Why were Japanese Americans living on the West Coast interned after the Pearl Harbor attack? A. Many community leaders feared that Japanese Americans might be attacked by angry mobs and needed a safe place to live. B. Japanese Americans were interned so that they might more easily contribute to the war effort. C. Many people feared the presence of Japanese spies after Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor. D. Japanese Americans were interned to prevent them from joining the German side in the European campaign.

C. Many people feared the presence of Japanese spies after Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor.

What was the result of the Trinity Test in 1945? A. Scientists persuaded the US to use the bomb on Germany. B. Japan was convinced to surrender to the Allies. C. Scientists realized how powerful the nuclear bomb was. D. The US government shut down the Manhattan Project.

C. Scientists realized how powerful the nuclear bomb was.

How did many people on the home front support the war effort during World War II? A. They purchased scarce goods. B. They bought canned fruits and vegetables for soldiers overseas. C. They planted victory gardens for soldiers. D. They entertained the troops and their families.

C. They planted victory gardens for soldiers.

During the final years of World War II, how did the Allies gain control of the Atlantic Ocean? A. They used U-boats to sink German ships. B. They used fighters to provide air support for their ships. C. They used better antisubmarine technology. D. They used Allied submarines to defeat German ones.

C. They used better antisubmarine technology.

Which occurred during the Bataan Death March in 1942? A. US soldiers attacked Japanese troops to rescue Filipino allies. B. Thousands of Japanese soldiers died of starvation. C. Thousands of US and Filipino prisoners of war died. D. Japanese soldiers helped carry starving US and Filipino prisoners of war.

C. Thousands of US and Filipino prisoners of war died.

What was the result when US troops fought Field Marshall Rommel's Afrika Korps in the Battle of Kasserine Pass? A. US forces held out until reinforcements arrived and won the battle. B. US forces easily defeated the weakened German forces. C. US forces were forced to retreat by German troops. D. US forces were driven out of North Africa by German troops.

C. US forces were forced to retreat by German troops.

During World War II, US naval forces were able to intercept the Japanese fleet before it reached Midway because A. US ships were on their way to Japan when they met the outbound fleet. B. US ships waited near the island to intercept inbound Japanese ships. C. US intelligence had deciphered messages laying out the Japanese plan. D. US warplanes on their way to Japan happened to spot the inbound fleet.

C. US intelligence had deciphered messages laying out the Japanese plan.

What was a concern of some scientists after the Manhattan Project? A. With Germany defeated, they did not think that Japan would be a threat. B. They did not think that Truman was knowledgeable enough about atomic options. C. With Germany defeated, they did not think there was a need for an atomic weapon. D. They did not think the US had adequate staffing to continue development of weapons.

C. With Germany defeated, they did not think there was a need for an atomic weapon.

A strategy President Truman and his advisers considered to end World War II was A. assassinating the Japanese emperor. B. seeking an immediate peace treaty. C. continuing to fight the war the same way. D. sending most US troops to Europe.

C. continuing to fight the war the same way.

A reason that some goods were scarce during World War II was that the war A. made factories less productive. B. made producing goods impossible. C. cut off access to certain resources. D. made the production of many goods unnecessary.

C. cut off access to certain resources.

During World War II, the Battle of the Coral Sea was significant because it A. evened the naval strength of the Japanese and US fleets. B. was the first significant win for the Allies in the Pacific. C. denied the Japanese the chance to launch a direct attack on Australia. D. was the first sea battle in which warships directly confronted one another.

C. denied the Japanese the chance to launch a direct attack on Australia.

Which practice is sometimes characterized by extreme nationalism? A. spiritualism B. communism C. fascism D. liberalism

C. fascism

The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, contained a clause that blamed the war on A. the United States government. B. the Aryans. C. the German government. D. the Nazi Party.

C. the German government.

Who won the battle for Stalingrad during World War II? A. Japan B. Germany C. the Soviet Union D. the United States

C. the Soviet Union

Why did Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt meet for three weeks in Washington, DC, shortly after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941? A. to decide the terms of surrender for the Axis powers B. to form an alliance with the Soviet Union and China C. to plan an overall strategy for the rest of World War II D. to consider the US response to Japan's attack

C. to plan an overall strategy for the rest of World War II

The form of government in Germany under Adolf Hitler can best be described as A. democratic B. capitalist C. totalitarian D. multiparty

C. totalitarian

During World War II, the Battle of Guadalcanal was significant because it A. was the first decisive victory for American naval forces. B. evened out the naval strength of the Japanese and US navies. C. was the first major Allied offensive against Japanese forces. D. allowed Japan to construct an airfield from which to attack the Allies.

C. was the first major Allied offensive against Japanese forces.