Question 1

Which of the following precipitated a crisis in American-Iranian relations in 1979?

Accepted Answer

The crisis in American-Iranian relations in 1979 was primarily caused by American support for the deposed shah of Iran. The shah had been a key ally of the United States, but was overthrown by a popular revolution led by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States allowed the shah to enter the country for medical treatment, which angered the new Iranian government and led to the hostage crisis at the American embassy in Tehran.

Question 2

After the 1980 election,which of the following parties gained control of the U.S.Senate for the first time since 1954?

Accepted Answer

The Republicans gained control of the U.S. Senate for the first time since 1954 after the 1980 election, with a majority of 53 seats out of 100. This was due in part to Ronald Reagan's landslide victory in the presidential election and his coattails helping Republicans win seats in down-ballot races.

Question 3

The Moral Majority was founded by which of the following evangelical Christians?

Accepted Answer

The Moral Majority was founded by Jerry Falwell, an American evangelical Christian pastor, televangelist, and conservative activist.

Question 4

On which of the following issues would the conservative Cato Institute and Heritage Foundation have registered fierce opposition in the 1980s?

Accepted Answer

The conservative Cato Institute and Heritage Foundation have traditionally been against increasing corporate regulation and instead advocated for free market principles. They would not have registered fierce opposition to the other issues listed.

Question 5

The person who contributed most directly to the rise of conservatism in American politics after World War II was

Accepted Answer

The person who contributed most directly to the rise of conservatism in American politics after World War II was Barry Goldwater. Goldwater's 1964 presidential campaign and his book "Conscience of a Conservative" helped to galvanize conservative activists and politicians, paving the way for the rise of Ronald Reagan and the conservative movement that continues to shape American politics today.

Question 6

Iran released the American hostages and ended the long hostage crisis

Accepted Answer

The hostages were released on January 20, 1981 - the same day that President Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as President of the United States. This suggests that the Iranians had been waiting for Carter to leave office before releasing the hostages, as they may have hoped for different terms from the incoming Reagan administration. There is no evidence that economic sanctions, threats of commando raids, or public threats of military action were directly responsible for ending the crisis.

Question 7

Which of the following factors made it possible for Barry Goldwater to capture the Republican Party nomination for president in 1964?

Accepted Answer

Goldwater's publication of "The Conscience of a Conservative" and "Why Not Victory?" established him as a key figure in the conservative movement and helped him build a strong base of support among conservatives within the Republican Party.

Question 8

Ronald Reagan's 1980 victory can be attributed to

Accepted Answer

Ronald Reagan's victory can be attributed to Americans' frustrations over the nation's declining prosperity and power. He promised to restore America's strength and improve its economy, which resonated with many voters.

Question 9

The Moral Majority favored

Accepted Answer

The Moral Majority, a conservative Christian political organization in the 1970s and 1980s, strongly opposed abortion and advocated for stricter laws and bans. They did not support the Equal Rights Amendment, welfare payments for single mothers, or court-mandated busing.

Question 10

Which of the following is an important conservative organizational think tank that gave institutional support to the New Right?

Accepted Answer

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is a prominent conservative think tank that played a significant role in supporting the New Right movement in the United States. AEI was founded in 1943 and aims to promote free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, and traditional values. It provided institutional support and research for the New Right movement in the 1970s and 1980s, which sought to advance conservative policies and values in American politics.

Question 11

Which of the following was true of Republicans in the 1980s?

Accepted Answer

During the 1980s, Republicans had a core base of support among upper-middle-class white Protestants, particularly in the suburbs. This demographic group tended to be socially conservative and fiscally moderate, emphasizing individual responsibility and free enterprise rather than government intervention in business or welfare programs. Republicans generally opposed quotas and affirmative action policies, viewing them as infringements on merit-based competition and individual rights. They also emphasized military strength and anti-communism, and many favored increasing defense spending rather than cutting it.

Question 12

Conservative Protestants and Catholics joined together as part of the Religious Right and condemned

Accepted Answer

Conservative Protestants and Catholics joined together as part of the Religious Right and condemned feminism, seeing it as a threat to traditional gender roles and family values. The Religious Right also opposed abortion and gay rights. They were more likely to support conservative political candidates and policies that aligned with their social and moral beliefs. The Religious Right did not typically address issues like poverty, deregulation of transportation, or welfare reform.

Question 13

How did the conservatives of the Cold War era differ from the American conservatives of the early twentieth century?

Accepted Answer

Cold War conservatives differed from American conservatives of the early twentieth century in their reversal of isolationist policies. Cold War conservatives believed that it was necessary for the United States to intervene in global affairs and maintain a strong military presence abroad to fight the spread of communism. This was a departure from the non-interventionist stance of earlier conservatives who believed in limiting government involvement in foreign affairs.

Question 14

Which of the following was the central theme of Carter's foreign policy throughout his administration?

Accepted Answer

Throughout his administration, Carter's foreign policy was focused on promoting and defending human rights worldwide. He made it clear that human rights were central to American values and pursued policies that aimed to improve the human rights situation in different countries. This included denouncing countries with poor human rights records and cutting aid to governments that violated human rights. His commitment to human rights led to some notable achievements, such as the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, and the promotion of democratic values in Latin America.

Question 15

Which of the following was one of the factors leading to Ronald Reagan's Republican victory in 1980?

Accepted Answer

Ronald Reagan's positive attitude and decisive demeanor were seen as a refreshing change from the perceived indecisiveness and lack of leadership of the Carter administration, which helped to rally support for Reagan among voters.

Question 16

How did the conservative political operative Richard Viguerie contribute to the growth of the conservative movement that supported New Right Republicans like Goldwater and Reagan in the mid-1960s?

Accepted Answer

Richard Viguerie was an early adopter of computer technology and used it to target conservative voters with direct mail campaigns. This allowed him to reach a larger audience with a more targeted message and helped to mobilize support for New Right Republicans like Goldwater and Reagan. Viguerie's use of computers in political campaigning helped to revolutionize the way that political operatives conducted campaigns and paved the way for the growth of the conservative movement in the 1960s and 1970s.

Question 17

Which of the following describes the New Right in 1980?

Accepted Answer

The New Right of 1980 was characterized by its opposition to big government and fear of declining social morality. Its leaders, such as Ronald Reagan, sought to reduce the size and influence of the federal government while promoting traditional values and a strong national defense. The New Right also gained significant support at the federal level during this time, particularly during the Reagan presidency.

Question 18

The well-known movie actor Ronald Reagan gained political experience after World War II in

Accepted Answer

Ronald Reagan gained political experience as the President of the Screen Actors Guild, a labor union representing performers in the film and television industries, from 1947 to 1952 and again from 1959 to 1960.

Question 19

Which of the following additions to the Republican platform reflected the influence of the Religious Right in 1980?

Accepted Answer

The addition of a mandatory death penalty for certain crimes reflects the influence of the Religious Right, as it aligns with their belief in a strict adherence to the Bible's teachings on punishment for certain sins. Assault weapons and the Equal Rights Amendment are not issues typically associated with the Religious Right, and protection for the rights of all religions in public schools may actually conflict with their desire to promote Christianity in public institutions.

Question 20

What was President Carter's major achievement for world peace in 1978?

Accepted Answer

President Carter's major achievement for world peace in 1978 was brokering a "framework for peace" for Egypt and Israel, which became known as the Camp David Accords. This agreement led to a peace treaty between the two countries the next year, and was significant because it was the first peace agreement between Israel and an Arab country.

Quiz 29: Conservative America in the Ascent, 1980-1991