Becoming a Superpower Test

Judging from the map, which of the following can be inferred about the attitude of the majority of American voters in 1980?

• Voters in most states were tired of failed policies and wanted change.

• Voters across the country strongly supported President Carter's policies.

• Democratic voters in many states switched their vote to a third-party candidate.

• Voters supported Ronald Reagan because of his plans to continue Carter's policies.

After the Cold War ended, the United States reduced   Choose... ​ (a)     and   Choose...  ​ (b)  

• its military spending
• fears of Soviet nuclear attack ended
• its role in world affairs
• concerns about nuclear war decreased

What problem made it difficult for President George H. W. Bush to fulfill his campaign promise not to raise taxes?

• Downsizing in business led to high unemployment.

• Tensions with the Soviet Union grew and defense costs rose.

• Deregulation led to a savings and loan crisis.

• It was politically difficult to find government programs to cut and the deficit remained high.

Which of the following was a direct U.S. response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?

• immediate support for Contra forces in Nicaragua

• increased support for the SALT II Treaty

• refusal to participate in the 1980 summer Olympic Games in Russia

• support for the Strategic Defense Initiative to defend the United States

“General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”—President Ronald Reagan, Brandenburg Gate, June 12, 1987

Judging from his speech, what was the most important reason why President Reagan wanted Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall?

• Reagan wanted East Germans to be able to do business in West Germany.

• Reagan believed tearing down the wall would be an important step toward world peace.

• Reagan thought tearing down the wall would lead to a peaceful merging of Communist and democratic systems in Europe.

• Reagan thought tearing down the Berlin Wall would help maintain international stability.

Which statement about Carter's impact on the American economy can best be inferred from the graph?

• His economic policies were highly favored by the American public.

• Inflation grew despite his economic efforts.

• His economic policies had almost no effect on the economy.

• Inflation was beyond the control of any economic policy.

“Government is not the solution to our problems, government is the problem.”—Ronald Reagan, inaugural address, 1981

Based on the quote, which of the following best reflects Ronald Reagan's political views?

• He wanted American citizens to return to traditional values.

• He believed that many problems we face could not be solved.

• He wanted the government to focus on expanding its relief programs.

• He believed that the government had gained too much power and did not use it well.

What effect did President Reagan expect his economic policies to have on the United States?

• The national government would take in more money and spend more on welfare and education.

• Deficits would increase, causing cuts to future defense spending.

• Industries would be deregulated but pollution would likely decrease.

• Americans would have more money to spend and save because taxes were lowered.

Which of the following expresses a fear many people had about the North American Free Trade Agreement?

• The agreement would cause severe damage to the American environment.

• Many American jobs would move to Mexico, increasing unemployment in the United States.

• U.S. products would never sell well in free international markets.

• If the treaty were signed, the growth of commerce would overwhelm all ability to regulate it.

What did the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons have in common?

• Both sought to make the world safer by reducing powerful weapons.

• Both were signed only by the United States and the Soviet Union.

• Both took effect in the early 1970s at the height of the Cold War.

• Both worked mostly to reduce the threat of the Cold War becoming hot.