The 1950s STAAR Review

Who became the U.S. President after FDR's death and dropped the atomic bombs during WWII?

• Lyndon B. Johnson

• John F. Kennedy

• Dwight D. Eisenhower

• Harry Truman

Answer explanation

Harry Truman became U.S. President after FDR's death in 1945. He authorized the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan's surrender in WWII.

What was the main purpose of the Eisenhower Doctrine?

• To establish a national highway system

• To provide military and financial aid to Middle Eastern countries fighting communism

• To develop the polio vaccine

• To promote economic prosperity in the U.S.

Answer explanation

The Eisenhower Doctrine aimed to provide military and financial aid to Middle Eastern countries to combat the spread of communism, reflecting U.S. Cold War policy in the region.

Which act helped veterans afford homes and education after WWII?

• GI Bill

• Eisenhower Doctrine

• Fair Deal

• Interstate Highway Act

Answer explanation

The GI Bill, officially known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, provided veterans with benefits for education and housing, making it easier for them to transition to civilian life after WWII.

What was a significant factor in the growth of the middle class during the 1950s?

• The introduction of rock'n'roll music

• The rise of the Beat Generation

• The decline of the movie theater industry

• Pent-up consumer demand from WWII

Answer explanation

Pent-up consumer demand from WWII significantly fueled the growth of the middle class in the 1950s, as returning soldiers and their families sought to purchase homes and goods, leading to economic expansion.

What was the impact of the Interstate Highway Act of 1956?

• It established the U.S. as a global manufacturing leader

• It led to the development of the polio vaccine

• It promoted the rise of rock'n'roll music

• It improved transportation and helped suburban expansion

Answer explanation

The Interstate Highway Act of 1956 significantly improved transportation across the U.S., facilitating faster travel and commerce. It also spurred suburban expansion as people could easily commute to urban jobs from newly developed suburbs.

Which cultural movement in the 1950s challenged mainstream society and rejected materialism?

• The Beat Generation

• The Sun Belt Migration

• The Baby Boom

• The Suburban Expansion

Answer explanation

The Beat Generation was a cultural movement in the 1950s that rejected materialism and mainstream societal norms, promoting alternative lifestyles, artistic expression, and spiritual exploration.

What was a major influence on the rise of consumerism in the 1950s?

• TV advertising

• The Eisenhower Doctrine

• The Fair Deal

• The GI Bill

Answer explanation

TV advertising played a crucial role in the 1950s by promoting consumer goods and creating a culture of consumption, significantly influencing the rise of consumerism during that era.

Which song criticized suburban life and conformity during the 1950s?

• Jailhouse Rock

• Rock Around the Clock

• Heartbreak Hotel

• Little Boxes

Answer explanation

"Little Boxes" critiques suburban life and conformity in the 1950s, highlighting the monotony and uniformity of suburban homes and lifestyles, making it the correct choice over the other songs listed.

What was a significant medical advancement in the 1950s?

• Creation of the Interstate Highway System

• Introduction of the GI Bill

• Establishment of the Eisenhower Doctrine

• Development of the polio vaccine

Answer explanation

The development of the polio vaccine in the 1950s was a major medical breakthrough, significantly reducing the incidence of polio, a disease that caused widespread paralysis and death, thus improving public health.

What was a key reason for the population shift from the Rust Belt to the Sun Belt?

• The introduction of rock'n'roll music

• Better water management and air conditioning

• The rise of the Beat Generation

• The development of the polio vaccine

Answer explanation

A key reason for the population shift from the Rust Belt to the Sun Belt was better water management and air conditioning, which made the warmer climate more livable and attractive for people seeking jobs and a better quality of life.