Chapter 15 Test - The Cold War

After World War II, there was a widespread belief among many people that addressing economic issues would contribute to maintaining global peace. This perspective stemmed from the understanding that economic instability and inequality were significant factors that had contributed to the outbreak of the war. By focusing on resolving economic problems and promoting prosperity, it was believed that nations would be less likely to engage in conflicts and instead prioritize cooperation and peaceful resolutions. This belief in the link between economic stability and world peace was a driving force behind initiatives such as the establishment of international organizations like the United Nations and the creation of economic alliances like the European Union.

The correct answer is containment. The term "containment" refers to the foreign policy strategy adopted by the United States during the Cold War to prevent the spread of communism. It aimed to contain the influence and expansion of communism, particularly the Soviet Union, through various means such as military alliances, economic aid, and diplomatic efforts. The concept of containment was first introduced by diplomat George F. Kennan in his "Long Telegram" in 1946 and later popularized by the Truman Doctrine. It became a central pillar of US foreign policy during the Cold War era.

President Truman fired General Douglas MacArthur because he made public statements challenging the authority of the president. This undermined the chain of command and showed insubordination, which is unacceptable in military leadership. As the president, Truman had the responsibility to maintain control and discipline within the military and ensure that his orders were followed. MacArthur's actions were seen as a breach of trust and a threat to the stability of the government, leading to his dismissal.

President Truman fired General Douglas MacArthur because MacArthur openly criticized and challenged the president's authority by speaking out against him. Additionally, MacArthur made threats against China without consulting or informing the president, which undermined Truman's diplomatic efforts and jeopardized the delicate balance of international relations. As a result, Truman deemed it necessary to relieve MacArthur of his duties to maintain control and preserve the chain of command.

George F. Kennan, an American diplomat and historian, is widely credited with creating the foreign policy of containment. Containment was a strategy employed by the United States during the Cold War to prevent the spread of communism. Kennan outlined this approach in his famous "Long Telegram" in 1946 and later expanded on it in his article "The Sources of Soviet Conduct." His ideas on containment became influential and formed the basis of US foreign policy towards the Soviet Union for several decades.

Winston Churchill coined the phrase "Iron Curtain" to describe the division between Western and Eastern Europe during the Cold War. This term symbolized the ideological and physical separation created by the Soviet Union, which controlled the Eastern Bloc countries. The Iron Curtain became a powerful metaphor for the political and military tension between the communist and capitalist worlds, highlighting the restrictions and lack of freedom experienced by those living behind it. Churchill's use of this phrase brought international attention to the growing divide and helped shape the discourse surrounding the Cold War.

After World War II, the United States demonstrated its willingness to support corrupt governments in order to prevent the spread of communism in China. This can be seen through various actions such as supporting the Nationalist government under Chiang Kai-shek, despite its corruption and inefficiency, in their fight against the Communist Party led by Mao Zedong. The U.S. believed that supporting a corrupt government was a necessary evil to prevent the spread of communism, as they feared the domino effect where one communist regime would lead to others in the region.

The word 'prosperous' means being well off or financially successful. It implies having wealth, abundance, and a comfortable lifestyle.

The TV's arrival in the 1950s had the effect of people spending less time outdoors. This is because television provided a new form of entertainment and information that could be enjoyed from the comfort of one's own home. As a result, people began to spend more time indoors, watching TV shows and movies, rather than engaging in outdoor activities.

In the 1950s, HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) investigated domestic Communist threats. This committee was established to identify and expose individuals and organizations suspected of having Communist ties or sympathies. During the Cold War era, there was widespread fear of Communist infiltration in the United States, and HUAC played a significant role in investigating and interrogating individuals in order to uncover any potential threats to national security. Their investigations led to the blacklisting of many individuals from the entertainment industry and other sectors, causing significant social and political turmoil during that time.

The United States was able to implement the Marshall Plan after World War II because the country did not suffer the economic devastation that European countries faced. This allowed the U.S. to provide financial assistance and aid to help rebuild the war-torn nations in Europe. The United States had a strong economy and was in a position to provide support to other countries, which helped to stabilize and rebuild Europe after the war.

The correct answer is "both sides were willing to lose many soldiers to gain a small amount of territory." This can be inferred from the statement that the staggering number of casualties in the final two months of the Korean War showed that both sides were willing to sacrifice many soldiers. The phrase "to gain a small amount of territory" suggests that the high casualties were not proportionate to significant territorial gains, indicating a willingness to accept heavy losses for minimal territorial advancements.

Shot Simon and Shot Grable have in common that they are both atom bomb tests in the Nevada desert. This means that they were both military operations involving the detonation of atomic bombs for testing purposes in the Nevada desert.

After World War II, the U.S. economy remained strong due to the sharp rise in demand for consumer goods. The war had created a pent-up demand for products that were not available during the war years. As a result, once the war ended, consumers were eager to purchase goods, leading to increased production and economic growth. This demand for consumer goods stimulated various industries and contributed to the overall strength of the U.S. economy.

The Baby Boom refers to a significant increase in birth rates that occurred after World War II. Today, one effect of the Baby Boom is that there is a larger group of people retiring. This is because the Baby Boom generation is reaching retirement age, resulting in a higher number of individuals leaving the workforce and relying on retirement benefits. This demographic shift has implications for various aspects of society, such as healthcare, social security systems, and the economy.

The statement suggests that Americans accurately perceived the level of threat posed by domestic communism after World War II. However, this is not true. The period after World War II, known as the Red Scare, was characterized by widespread fear and paranoia about communism infiltrating American society. This led to the persecution and blacklisting of suspected communists, often based on flimsy evidence or mere suspicion. The McCarthy hearings and the House Un-American Activities Committee were prominent examples of this hysteria. Therefore, the statement is false as Americans did not accurately perceive the level of threat posed by domestic communism after World War II.

The correct answer suggests that Churchill's Iron Curtain speech had the effect of increasing tensions in the Cold War. This is because Stalin used the speech as a justification to allocate Soviet resources towards rebuilding the military. This action by Stalin indicates that the speech had a provocative impact, leading to an escalation of tensions between the Western and Eastern blocs.

A Litmus Test is a question asked of a potential candidate for high office, the answer to which would determine whether the nominating official would choose to proceed with the appointment or nomination.

The correct answer is economic aid to Greece and Turkey, followed by the Berlin Crisis, followed by the Korean War. This sequence is historically accurate as the United States implemented the policy of containment by providing economic aid to Greece and Turkey through the Truman Doctrine in 1947. The Berlin Crisis occurred in 1948 when the Soviet Union blockaded West Berlin, and the United States responded by airlifting supplies to the city. The Korean War started in 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea, and the United States intervened to support South Korea. Therefore, the correct sequence of events is economic aid to Greece and Turkey, followed by the Berlin Crisis, followed by the Korean War.

The conflict in Korea was called a police action because the United States never officially declared war. Instead, they referred to it as a police action in order to bypass the need for a formal declaration of war. This allowed the United States to intervene in the conflict without the same level of congressional oversight and restrictions that would have come with a formal declaration of war.

The correct answer is "Government Issue." The GI in the GI Bill stands for Government Issue. The GI Bill is a law that provides educational and financial benefits to veterans of the United States Armed Forces. The term "Government Issue" refers to military equipment or supplies that are issued by the government to its personnel. In the context of the GI Bill, it signifies that the benefits provided by the bill are issued by the government to eligible veterans.

The political cartoon, published in 1947, likely supports the Marshall Plan. This is because the Marshall Plan was a U.S. initiative to provide economic aid to European countries after World War II, and the cartoon may be depicting the need for such support. The other options, containment, the Iron Curtain, and the founding of NATO, do not directly relate to providing economic assistance, making the Marshall Plan the most likely intended policy.

The Soviet detonation of an atomic bomb helped fuel the second Red Scare because it intensified fears of communist infiltration and espionage within the United States. The successful Soviet test demonstrated that they had developed nuclear capabilities, leading to concerns that they could potentially use this technology against the US. This event further heightened the anti-communist sentiment and paranoia that characterized the Red Scare era, as Americans feared that communist spies and sympathizers were working to undermine the country from within.

The Marshall Plan was a program initiated by the United States after World War II to provide economic aid to Western European countries. One effect of the Marshall Plan was that the U.S. economy grew as it provided financial assistance and opened up new markets for American goods in Europe. Additionally, Western Europe became more closely allied with the United States as they received economic support and formed stronger political and economic ties with the U.S. This aid helped to rebuild the war-torn countries and strengthen their economies, ultimately leading to increased cooperation and alliance between Western Europe and the United States.

During the time when Joseph McCarthy was able to wage a successful anti-Communist campaign, Americans were feeling threatened by the recent Communist victories. They were looking for someone to blame and McCarthy capitalized on this fear by making accusations without substantial evidence. This allowed him to gain support and fuel the anti-Communist sentiment among the American public. McCarthy's ability to tap into the existing anxieties and provide a scapegoat for the Communist threat contributed to his success in the campaign.

Panmunjom is the correct answer because it is the location where the armistice agreement that ended the Korean War was negotiated. Panmunjom is a small village located in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North Korea and South Korea. It was chosen as the site for negotiations because it was centrally located and easily accessible by both sides. The armistice agreement was signed on July 27, 1953, and it established a ceasefire between North and South Korea, effectively ending the active fighting of the war.

The most likely reason that Senator McCarthy's speech made him popular with the American people is because he offered an explanation of world events that made Americans nervous. His speech highlighted the rapid increase in Soviet domination and the decrease in support for the United States, creating a sense of fear and insecurity among the American population. McCarthy's words tapped into the anxieties of the Cold War era, making him appealing to those who were concerned about the spread of communism and the potential threats to American democracy.

During the period of McCarthyism in the United States, the term "Blacklist" referred to individuals who were suspected or accused of having communist sympathies. These individuals were often denied employment opportunities, including in the film industry. Many actors, directors, and writers were blacklisted during this time, and their careers were severely impacted. They were unable to find work in the film industry due to their perceived political affiliations, which led to significant personal and professional consequences.

The adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights represented one of the first efforts of the United Nations to fulfill its mission because it was a significant step towards promoting and protecting human rights globally. The declaration was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948 and outlined the fundamental rights and freedoms that all individuals should enjoy, regardless of their nationality, race, or religion. By adopting this declaration, the United Nations demonstrated its commitment to upholding human rights and working towards a more just and equal world.

The writer of this memo would most likely advise that the armed forces should be segregated by race. The memo argues that men on board ship live in close association and suggests that white men would not willingly accept having associates of another race in their sleeping quarters, mess, and gun's crew. The General Board believes that forcing integration would lead to a lowering of contentment, teamwork, and discipline in the service. Therefore, the writer would recommend maintaining segregation in the armed forces.

The United States and Britain began the Berlin airlift to prevent all of Berlin from becoming Communist. After World War II, Germany was divided into four zones, with Berlin also divided into four sectors. The Soviet Union, which controlled East Germany and East Berlin, imposed a blockade on West Berlin in an attempt to force the Western Allies to abandon the city. In response, the United States and Britain initiated the airlift to supply West Berlin with food, fuel, and other necessities, ensuring that the city remained under Western control and preventing it from falling under Soviet influence.

A member of Congress in 1950 might have defended the passage of the McCarran Act by arguing that some infringement on individual rights is necessary to protect the nation. They could have contended that in the face of the Communist threat, certain measures needed to be taken to safeguard national security, even if it meant limiting certain individual freedoms. This defense would likely emphasize the importance of prioritizing the collective well-being and security of the nation over individual liberties.

Anarchy refers to a state of disorder and absence of government control. The opposite of anarchy would be a system of government that has complete control and authority over its citizens, which is reflected in the concept of totalitarianism. Totalitarianism is characterized by a centralized government that exercises absolute power and control over all aspects of public and private life, leaving no room for individual freedoms or democratic processes.

The Berlin Crisis did not directly lead to the formation of the United Nations or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). However, it did have an impact on the United Nations as it prompted the release of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The crisis brought attention to the human rights violations occurring in East Germany and the Soviet Union, leading to a greater emphasis on human rights in international law.

The German invasion of the Soviet Union led to the United States offering military equipment and financial support to their ally because a mutual aid treaty was in effect. This means that the United States provided assistance to the Soviet Union due to their alliance and the obligations outlined in the treaty. The invasion by Germany created a common enemy and prompted the United States to support their ally in order to counter the greater threat posed by the Axis powers.

In the late summer and fall of 1949, world events led to the formation of the United Nations by representatives of 50 nations. The United Nations was established as an international organization to promote peace, security, and cooperation among member countries. It was created in response to the aftermath of World War II and aimed to prevent future conflicts through diplomatic negotiations and collective action. The formation of the United Nations was a significant development in international relations and marked a global effort to address global issues and maintain peace.