WorksheetsAmerica Struggles with Postwar Issues
Total questions: 22
Worksheet time: 11mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
One purpose of the GI Bill (Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944) was to
a)
end racial segregation in the military
b)
replace the draft with an all-volunteer military
c)
maintain troop strength at World War II levels
d)
give educational aid to returning veterans
2.
The 1957 launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union embarrassed the United States because it
a)
allowed the Soviets to place missiles in Turkey
b)
revealed that the Soviets had nuclear weapons
c)
appeared that the United States had failed to keep up in scientific achievement
d)
confirmed the United States use of U-2 spy planes
3.
The Marshall plan was created by Secretary of State George Marshall because of the
a)
failure of the United Nations to help people in need
b)
devastation in Europe caused by fighting in World War II
c)
construction of the Berlin Wall by the Soviet Union
d)
takeover of Greece and Turkey by communists
4.
One of the main effects of the passage of the Interstate Highway Act of 1956 was the expansion of
a)
ridership on long-distance passenger trains
b)
immigrant populations
c)
communities in the suburbs
d)
the airline industry
5.
Which factor directly contributed to the post–World War II development of the community shown in the cartoon?
a)
rise in the birth rate
b)
decrease in school construction
c)
decline in the availability of home loans
d)
increase in the number of women in the labor force
6.
The announcement of the Truman Doctrine, the Berlin airlift, and the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) were actions taken by the United States to prevent the
a)
renewal of Nazi fascism in Germany, Italy, and Spain
b)
expansion of communism into Western Europe
c)
starvation of refugees from Eastern Europe
d)
start of an arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union
7.
The GI Bill helped World War II veterans by
a)
protecting them from being recalled to duty
b)
guaranteeing them government jobs
c)
giving them several types of economic assistance
d)
exempting them from federal income tax
8.
One goal of the Marshall Plan (1947) was to
a)
provide defensive weapons to Great Britain
b)
rebuild the economy of Western Europe
c)
fund the construction of the iron curtain
d)
bring Nazi war criminals to trial in Nuremberg
9.
One way the United States government reacted to the Soviet launching of Sputnik in 1957 was by
a)
establishing a naval blockade of Cuba
b)
urging more Americans to buy war bonds
c)
starting the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)
d)
increasing federal spending on math and science education
10.
The baby boom in the United States of the 1950s and 1960s had its most significant impact on the
a)
rebirth of urban business districts
b)
decreased use of child labor in factories
c)
recruitment for the armed forces
d)
construction of housing and schools
11.
The perceived threat of communist influence in the United States during the 1950s prompted Congress to
a)
ban foreign students
b)
repeal loyalty oaths
c)
deport citizens who were communists
d)
investigate suspected communist sympathizers
12.
Which factor directly contributed to the growth of suburban communities after World War II?
a)
Mass transit systems closed
b)
Property taxes were eliminated in many towns.
c)
Returning veterans created a demand for housing.
d)
Widespread mortgage foreclosures caused farmers to leave rural areas.
13.
Which event marked the beginning of the space race with the Soviet Union?
a)
U-2 spy plane incident
b)
launch of Sputnik
c)
Berlin Airlift
d)
creation of the space shuttle program
14.
The Berlin Airlift was used during the Cold War to
a)
rescue people fleeing West Germany
b)
prevent a communist takeover of Greece and Turkey
c)
overcome a blockade created by the Soviet Union
d)
support peacekeeping efforts by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
15.
McCarthyism in the 1950s is most closely associated with
a)
claims that communists had infiltrated the federal government
b)
efforts to prevent pro-communist govern - ments in Latin America
c)
formation of the Warsaw Pact
d)
passage of the Interstate Highway Act
16.
In the years immediately following World War II, United States foreign policy was primarily focused on
a)
securing peace in the Middle East
b)
containing the spread of communism
c)
sending volunteers to developing countries
d)
maintaining neutrality in world conflicts
17.
Between 1946 and 1954, the House Committee on Un-American Activities and Senator Joseph McCarthy attracted public attention by investigating
a)
allegations of communist influences in governmen
b)
civil rights violations against African Americans
c)
corruption by companies in the defense industry
d)
war crimes of German and Japanese officials
18.
The major reason the United States became involved in the Korean War was the
a)
threat of communism spreading throughout Asia
b)
need to prevent war between China and the Soviet Union
c)
demand by the United States for Korean natural resources
d)
desire to limit Japanese expansion
19.
Controversies involving Alger Hiss and Julius and Ethel Rosenberg reflected the post–World War II concern over
a)
testing nuclear missiles
b)
joining the United Nations
c)
placing weapons in outer space
d)
spying by communists in the United States
20.
Which quotation from President Harry S. Truman offers a reason for U.S. involvement in the conflict between North Korea and South Korea?
a)
“The United Nations cannot . . . fulfill adequately its own responsibilities until the peace settlements have been made. . .”
b)
“Above all else, we want to keep the United States prosperous and strong because we know that our prosperity is the best guarantee of peace.”
c)
“Communism has passed beyond the use of subversion . . . and will now use armed invasion and war.”
d)
“As a result of these tragic conditions, a militant minority, exploiting human want and misery . . . has made economic recovery impossible.”
21.
The immediate cause of the U.S. military involvement in the Korean peninsula in 1950 was the
a)
Japanese invasion of Manchuria.
b)
acquisition of a nuclear weapons by North Korea.
c)
attack by North Korea on South Korea.
d)
crossing of the Yalu River by the Chinese "volunteers.'
22.
Which of the following is one way in which the Cold War affected American life?
a)
Americans were united on the best way to conduct foreign policy.
b)
Fear of communism created a climate of suspicion in the nation.
c)
Reduced spending on defense freed up money for social programs.
d)
Only a few American soldiers lost their lives in wars.
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