Question 1

President Truman is one of only three persons who have ordered the deployment of a nuclear weapon.

Accepted Answer

President Truman is the only person who has ordered the deployment of a nuclear weapon, during World War II on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.

Question 2

The Atlantic Charter committed the United States to all of the following EXCEPT:&#10;A) Defeating Nazi Germany&#10;B) Preserving European democracy&#10;C) Taking an active part in world affairs&#10;D) Preventing the growth of communism

Accepted Answer

The Atlantic Charter did not mention communism as a specific concern or goal, so preventing the growth of communism was not included in the commitments made by the United States.

Question 3

Prior to the Truman administration, the United States generally maintained a large standing army.

Accepted Answer

Before the Truman administration, the United States typically demobilized its military forces after wars, maintaining a relatively small peacetime army. It was only after World War II, during the Truman administration, that the U.S. began to maintain a large standing military in response to the Cold War.

Question 4

Which was not one of Kennan's main points in his famous letter?&#10;A) Communism is not a status quo oriented ideology.&#10;B) Communism and capitalism can co-exist with boundaries.&#10;C) Russia was an expansionist state.&#10;D) The communist state would collapse.

Accepted Answer

Kennan's famous letter, often referred to as the "Long Telegram," emphasized the expansionist nature of Soviet policy and the inherent conflict between communism and capitalism, suggesting containment rather than coexistence as a strategy. It did not suggest that communism and capitalism could co-exist with boundaries.

Question 5

During World War II, the trauma experienced by American civilians was similar to that experienced in Russia.

Accepted Answer

While American civilians certainly experienced trauma and hardships during World War II, it cannot be considered similar to the experiences of Russian civilians. Russia was invaded by Nazi forces, resulting in mass casualties and destruction, as well as the brutal occupation and oppression of the Soviet population. The war had a much more direct and devastating impact on civilians in Russia than in the United States.

Question 6

The Truman Doctrine made the U.S. the largest arms producer and distributor in the world.

Accepted Answer

The Truman Doctrine was a policy that provided military and economic assistance to countries threatened by communism. As a result, the U.S. became a major arms producer and supplier to these countries in order to help them resist the spread of communism.

Question 7

During the Truman administration, the recommended future for the U.S. Armed Forces was:&#10;A) Airpower&#10;B) Ground forces&#10;C) Joint doctrine&#10;D) Counterinsurgency

Accepted Answer

During the Truman administration, there was a significant emphasis on airpower as a strategic advantage, particularly with the development of nuclear capabilities and the establishment of the U.S. Air Force as a separate branch in 1947.

Question 8

The American monopoly on nuclear weapons lasted into the mid-1950s.

Accepted Answer

The American monopoly on nuclear weapons ended in 1949 when the Soviet Union successfully tested their own nuclear weapon.

Question 9

The United States military was unprepared for the Korean War.

Accepted Answer

The United States military was caught off guard and unprepared for the sudden invasion of South Korea by North Korea in 1950, leading to early setbacks and heavy casualties for American forces.

Deck 4: Man versus Machine