American History Quiz

The Red Scare of the 1920s and McCarthyism of the 1950s are similar in that both —

• reflected the heightened prosperity of the time periods

• advocated for restrictions on newly arriving immigrants

• developed in reaction to fears of the spread of communism

• employed legislative hearings to investigate spying suspects

A defining event of the 1960s in the United States was —

• the Korean War

• the Vietnam War

• the launch of Sputnik

• the resignation of Richard Nixon

Which 1957 event initiated the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union?

• The Soviet Union placed rockets in Cuba.

• The Soviet Union launched the satellite Sputnik 1.

• President Kennedy announced U.S. plans to land on the Moon.

• U.S. test pilot Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in the X-1.

A characteristic of American society in the fifteen years following the Second World War was —

• rivalry with the Soviet Union and fear of communist infiltration

• social and economic reforms aimed to create jobs in urban areas

• government planning and regulation to improve economic conditions

• racial tensions that led to the assassination of prominent civil rights leaders

Which year did the United States land an astronaut on the surface of the Moon?

• 1963

• 1965

• 1967

• 1969

Why did the United States conduct the Berlin Airlift?

• To transport supplies to a blockaded West Berlin

• To evacuate wounded soldiers from East Berlin

• To send East German refugees to other countries

• To provide supplies to all of West Germany

Which action of Joseph McCarthy contributed to increased Cold War anxieties?

• He abused his power by helping Castro in Cuba.

• He was a strong advocate of increased military spending.

• He led a Congressional committee investigating suspected communists.

• He angered Chinese communists for refusing to follow Truman's orders during the Korean War.

Which objective of American foreign policy in 1951 led to a United Nations military intervention in the Korean peninsula?

• Limit the spread of communism

• Promote democratic ideals in Asia

• Liberate American prisoners of war

• Economically develop other nations

In what way did Truman’s decision to enter the Korean War reflect his commitment to a containment policy?

• Truman desired to limit the spread of infectious diseases across East Asia.

• Truman feared any expansion of communist influence on the Korean peninsula.

• Truman hoped a victory over North Korea would serve to warn other aggressive nations.

• Truman suspected the Soviet Union of signing secret alliances with North and South Korea.

According to President Johnson, why was U.S. military involvement in Vietnam justified?

• Domino Theory

• Monroe Doctrine

• Eisenhower Doctrine

• "Big Stick" Diplomacy