Cold War History Quiz

It is not the first time that Communist tanks have rolled over gallant men and women fighting to redeem the independence of their homeland. Nor is it by any means the final episode in the eternal struggle of liberty against tyranny, anywhere on the face of the globe, including Cuba itself. . . . [I]t is clear that this Nation, in concert with all the free nations of this hemisphere, must take all even closer and more realistic look at the menace of external Communist intervention and domination in Cuba. The American people are not complacent about Iron Curtain tanks and planes less than 90 miles from our shores . . . - President John F. Kennedy

Which of the following best describes the purpose of President Kennedy's statement about the Communist threat to Cuba and the need for a closer look at the menace of external Communist intervention and domination in Cuba?

• To establish U.S. support for the new Communist regime in Cuba.

• To apologize to the nation for the ongoing Cold War with the Soviet Union.

• To educate the American people on the foundations of a Communist government.

• To defend the Cold War policy of intervening to prevent the spread of Communism.

Which of the following best explains the cause of Soviet aggression and proxy wars around the world following World War II?

• The Soviet Union gained power and territory as a result of allied victory.

• The allied powers attempted to undermine Soviet leadership following the war.

• Colonialism in Africa threatened both communist rule and traditional democracy.

• European powers were actively pursuing the spread of democracy to new nations.

Which of the following is a result of the growing tension between the Soviet Union and Democratic nations in the West?

• The weakening global reputation of the United States

• The arms race to develop and test nuclear technology

• The full military occupation of all Soviet territories by UN forces

• The decreasing fear of Communism among democratic nations

Which of the following best describes the reasoning for the Soviet introduction of democratic policies such as glasnost and perestroika?

• Soviet leaders realized that democratic nations had superior resources.

• The Soviets had faced too many military defeats throughout the Cold War.

• Democratic leaders began distributing propaganda throughout the Soviet Union.

• The nation was experiencing economic hardships that impeded citizens’ quality of life.

Which of the following events led to the symbolic end to the Soviet Union and the Cold War?

• The U.S. surrender in Vietnam

• The tearing down of the Berlin Wall

• The construction of the Iron Curtain

• The democratic re-election of Gorbachev

Which of the following was a major achievement of the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa?

• The arrest of Nelson Mandela

• The activism that ended apartheid

• The creation of the Pan-Africa movement

• The prevention of the Rwandan genocide

The Suez Canal is an Egyptian canal built as a result of great sacrifices. The Suez Canal Company is an Egyptian company that was expropriated [taken away] from Egypt by the British who, since the canal was dug, have been obtaining the profits of the company. . . . The annual Canal revenue is 35 million Egyptian pounds. From this sum Egypt—which lost 120,000 workers in digging the canal—takes one million pounds from the company. -Gamal Abdel Nasser

Which of the following statements best describes the goal of Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser in the excerpt above?

• To engage the British in a war over territorial claims in Africa.

• To discredit the legitimacy of the nation of Israel and assert Arab rule.

• To seize control and the associated economic benefits of the Suez Canal.

• To use the Suez canal as a geographic means to establish the Pan-Arab movement.

Which of the following best describes the rise to power of each of these Middle Eastern leaders?

• The rise of Islamic fundamentalism in the Middle East

• The opposition to the creation of the Israeli nation-state

• The creation of an alliance within the Pan-Arab movement

• The widespread surge of democratic reforms and elections

Which of the following best describes the global interest in the regime changes in the Middle East that result in conflicts like the Persian Gulf War?

• Most countries have a moral opposition to Islamic fundamentalism.

• Most countries are directly impacted by the laws and leadership of the region.

• Most countries have an interest in the natural resources found in the Middle East.

• Most countries are willing to engage in containment policies to prevent totalitarian rule.

Which event directly led to the start of the Cold War?

• The fall of the Berlin Wall

• The Cuban Missile Crisis

• The end of World War II

• The Korean War