SWA & SEA Review

What do the Southwest Asian countries of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait have in common?

• They have an abundance (a lot) of fertile soil for farming.

• They have the lowest standard of living among the countries in the area.

• They have the greatest reserves of natural gas and oil in Southwest Asia.

• They have deserts that prevent the countries from striving economically.

Answer explanation

These countries have the greatest reserves of oil and gas in the region.

*A reserve is a supply of something that you have, in case you need it.

Saudi Arabia implemented a five-year plan from 2005-2010 to build new primary schools and new universities. What effect did Saudi Arabia MOST LIKELY wish for this to have on its economic growth?

• It wished to increase the standard of living for Saudi Arabian citizens over time.

• It wished to create many short-term construction jobs to stimulate its economy.

• It wished to attract more international students seeking higher education to Saudi Arabia.

• It wished to diversify its economy by adding long-term construction jobs to decrease its dependence on oil.

Answer explanation

Hopefully by building more schools, the population will become more educated. A more educated population increased a country's economic growth.

How might the Turkish government BEST increase its GDP (gross domestic product)?

• Send scientists to search for deposits of oil.

• Import cheaper goods from Turkey’s neighbors

• Invest in programs to help Turkey’s citizens learn new job skills.

• Promote Turkey as a desirable place for skilled western workers to emigrate.

Answer explanation

Spending money to educate Turkey's population should increase its GDP.

Israel’s economy is heavily based on the production of technology and services.

*How should Israel invest its money to see the greatest increase in gross domestic product (GDP) per capita?

• Promote educational programs to diversify the economy.

• Build more factories to create more computer producing jobs.

• Promote irrigation programs to increase agricultural production.

• Develop more efficient methods to produce technological products.

Answer explanation

Israel has few natural resources. The country needs to be more efficient (reduce waste), when producing or making technology.

How did nationalism contribute to independence in India?

• Strong feelings of nationalism led Indian patriots to forcibly eject the British

• Strong feelings of nationalism led Indians to separate from Muslim-controlled Pakistan.

• Strong feelings of nationalism led British isolationists to call for Britain to withdraw from India.

• Strong feelings of nationalism inspired Indians from a variety of backgrounds to come together to campaign for independence.

Answer explanation

Indians, from different backgrounds, came together to gain/get independence from Great Britain.

Israel has a mostly market economy based on electronics production and services.

*What role can an entrepreneur play in Israel’s economy?

• Entering the civil service to avoid the overcrowded electronics market

• Entering politics on a platform supporting stronger regulations on the market.

• Creating new goods and introducing them as competition for established brands.

• Starting a family farm instead of entering the electronics or services industries.

Answer explanation

An entrepreneur should start making new goods and/or services. Other businesses and/or entrepreneurs could possibly offer similar products, which would cause a competition between the businesses.

Consumers will purchase the goods and/or services, which will increase the country's economic growth.

During the twentieth century, independence movements in India occurred because Indian citizens did not like the way the British treated them. These movements contributed to the eventual withdrawal of the British from India.

*What is the BEST explanation for why the nationalist movements formed when they did?

• Despite not being consulted by the British about entering the war, many Indians who served in World War II formed nationalist movements.

• Many Indians believed the United States would support them if they rebelled against the British after World War II.

• Many Indians wished to cut all international ties to avoid getting into another war after World War II.

• Many Indians realized the best time to organize was before Britain recovered from World War II.

Answer explanation

Even though the Indians fought on the side of the British, the Indians still wanted their own independent country.

The Great Leap Forward was a program which set ambitious goals for China’s economic development. It encouraged citizens to farm during the day and run small home manufacturing operations at night.

*What was a major consequence of the Great Leap Forward?

• China became a much wealthier and more industrialized nation.

• Mao Zedong gained absolute power and maintained it until his death.

• China replaced the U.S.S.R. as the United States’ major opponent in the Cold War.

• Mao Zedong suffered a political setback and initiated the Cultural Revolution to recover power.

Answer explanation

Mao Zedong was losing power, during the Great Leap Forward. He started the Cultural Revolution to regain (get back) political power.

Why was Mohandas Gandhi’s belief in nonviolent protest highly effective in attracting support for Indian nationalism?

• Gandhi was a compelling speaker who inspired his supporters with the force of his personality.

• Many British soldiers who saw the non-violent protests were shamed into becoming supporters of the nationalists.

• Refusing to meet violence with violence gave Indian nationalists the moral high ground in their struggle with the British.

• Non-violent protest had already been successful in several other global battles for civil rights and people suspected it would be successful again.

Answer explanation

Gandhi believed that nonviolence would lead to a peaceful society. (Gandhi was also Hindu. He wanted to achieve the highest level of moksha.)

What type of religion is Hinduism?

• monotheistic

• theocratic

• polytheistic

• enlightenment

Answer explanation

Hinduism has many gods.