Short Review 1950s Culture & Cold War Conflict

Which of the following best describes the 1950s?

• It was largely a period of prosperity for all Americans.

• It was a time of great political upheaval.

• It was a period of economic decline.

• It was a period of increased social unrest.

Answer explanation

The 1950s was largely a period of prosperity for all Americans.

The 1950s is known in part for its car culture. Which of the following helped foster this culture?

• Postwar prosperity

• The creation of interstate highways

• Fast food/drive-ins

• The Cold War

Answer explanation

The car culture in the 1950s was fostered by postwar prosperity, the creation of interstate highways, and the rise of fast food/drive-ins.

What did the 1950s place a heavy emphasis on?

• Conformity

• Individuality

• Exploration

• Creativity

Answer explanation

The 1950s placed a heavy emphasis on conformity, prioritizing social norms and uniformity over individuality, exploration, and creativity.

Which of the following is the most likely reason this book was a bestseller in the decades following WW2?

• There was a greater number of parents living further from their immediate family.

• With fewer children, there was an emphasis on the quality of parenting.

• The 1950s was the beginning of a rejection of traditional norms.

• There was a greater emphasis on scientific approaches in American society.

Answer explanation

The book was a bestseller because there was a greater number of parents living further from their immediate family.

What childhood disease was largely eradicated in the US due to the vaccine developed by Jonas Salk?

Answer explanation

The childhood disease that was largely eradicated in the US due to the vaccine developed by Jonas Salk is polio.

Which of the following are associated with the Eisenhower administration?

• The creation of Interstate Highways.

• The policy of mutually assured destruction (MAD).

• The creation of NASA.

• The preference for covert operations against Communist regimes compared to conventional warfare.

Answer explanation

The Eisenhower administration was associated with the creation of Interstate Highways, the policy of mutually assured destruction (MAD), the creation of NASA, and the preference for covert operations against Communist regimes compared to conventional warfare.

Following the Suez and Lebanese crises, the US adopted the Eisenhower Doctrine, which offered support for any Middle Eastern nation threatened by 'armed aggression'. What was the target of this doctrine?

• The spread of Communism in the Middle East, such as in Iran.

• Preventing the spread of Arab nationalism, such as in Egypt.

• Hindering the expansion of the newly established state of Israel.

• Reducing the dependency of the US on Middle Eastern oil.

Answer explanation

The Eisenhower Doctrine targeted the spread of Communism in the Middle East, such as in Iran, and preventing the spread of Arab nationalism, such as in Egypt.

What did President Eisenhower identify as the greatest threat to America's security?

• The military-industrial complex.

• The continued development of atomic weapons.

• McCarthyism

• The Soviet Union's lead in the space race.

Answer explanation

President Eisenhower identified the military-industrial complex as the greatest threat to America's security.

Who became the leader of the USSR following the death of Stalin?

Yes, he is pounding the desk with a shoe at the UN.

• Nikita Khrushchev

• Leonid Brezhnev

• Mikhail Gorbachev

• Leon Trotsky

Answer explanation

Nikita Khrushchev became the leader of the USSR after Stalin's death. He is known for pounding the desk with a shoe at the UN.

The launch of this Soviet satellite escalated the space race.

Answer explanation

The launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik escalated the space race.