Question 1

Japan's constitution, which Americans had written, provided for the first time in Japanese history

Accepted Answer

Japan's post-World War II constitution, drafted under the guidance of the Allied forces led by the United States, granted women the right to vote for the first time in Japanese history.

Question 2

The principle of human rights-the idea of basic rights belonging to all persons because they are human-was introduced into international relations

Accepted Answer

The principle of human rights was introduced into international relations during the revolutionary period of the late eighteenth century, notably with documents like the American Declaration of Independence (1776) and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789).

Question 3

How did the Soviet focus on social and economic rights in the Cold War human rights debate affect American attitudes?

Accepted Answer

In the context of the Cold War, the Soviet Union's emphasis on social and economic rights was often viewed with suspicion in the United States, where such rights were frequently associated with socialism or communism. This association led many Americans, influenced by the prevailing anticommunist sentiment, to condemn these rights, fearing they represented a step toward the ideologies they were opposed to.

Question 4

"Militant Liberty" was the code name for a national security agency that

Accepted Answer

"Militant Liberty" was a program under the Department of Defense during the Cold War era, aimed at promoting anticommunist sentiment. One of its strategies was to encourage Hollywood to produce movies that portrayed American values in a positive light and communism negatively, to counteract Soviet propaganda.

Question 5

During the Cold War, the United States considered all anticommunist regimes as part of the free world even when the government was oppressive to its own people. Which of the following nations fit this description?

Accepted Answer

South Africa, during the apartheid era, was considered an ally by the United States due to its anti-communist stance, despite its oppressive regime.

Question 6

Japan

Accepted Answer

Japan adopted a new democratic constitution after World War II, which included the renunciation of war as a sovereign right and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. This constitution, often called the "Peace Constitution," was enacted on May 3, 1947, and is a key factor in Japan's post-war pacifism and democracy.

Question 7

In 1949, Mao Zedong

Accepted Answer

In 1949, Mao Zedong led the Communist Party of China to victory in the Chinese Civil War, establishing the People's Republic of China.

Question 8

After World War II, which country gained its independence from Great Britain?

Accepted Answer

India gained its independence from Great Britain in 1947, following a non-violent resistance movement led by figures such as Mahatma Gandhi.

Question 9

What introduced the concept of human rights to the broader world?

Accepted Answer

The American and French Revolutions introduced the concept of human rights to the broader world by emphasizing individual liberties and the idea of rights inherent to all humans.

Question 10

Which statement accurately describes what NSC-68 called for?

Accepted Answer

NSC-68, a secret policy paper by the United States National Security Council in 1950, called for a permanent military buildup to counter the perceived threat of communism, marking a significant increase in American military and defense spending.

Question 11

How did Truman respond to Joseph Stalin's blockade around Berlin?

Accepted Answer

Truman responded to Stalin's blockade of Berlin by ordering the Berlin Airlift, a massive operation that flew food, fuel, and other supplies into West Berlin to sustain the city during the blockade.

Question 12

To wage the cultural Cold War, the Central Intelligence Agency and Defense Department

Accepted Answer

The CIA and Defense Department funded artistic publications, concerts, performances, and exhibits as part of their strategy to promote American culture and democratic ideals during the Cold War, countering Soviet propaganda.

Question 13

The Marshall Plan

Accepted Answer

The Marshall Plan was an American initiative to aid Western Europe economically after World War II, and it was popularized by the slogan "Prosperity Makes You Free."

Question 14

What country's inclusion in the "Free World" does the textbook portray as hypocritical?

Accepted Answer

South Africa's inclusion in the "Free World" is seen as hypocritical due to its apartheid policy, which enforced racial segregation and discrimination against non-white citizens, contradicting the principles of freedom and equality.

Question 15

According to some critics, how did the casting of the Cold War as a worldwide struggle between freedom and slavery have unfortunate consequences?

Accepted Answer

The casting of the Cold War as a global battle between freedom and slavery blurred the lines between genuine movements for economic and political freedom and those driven by American geopolitical interests, making it challenging to distinguish between the two.

Question 16

How was Truman's national health insurance plan defeated?

Accepted Answer

Truman's national health insurance plan was defeated largely because opponents painted it as socialist, arguing that it represented government overreach into private industry and individual freedoms, which was a significant concern during the early Cold War era.

Question 17

Why did the United States back away from pressuring its European allies to grant self-government to colonies in Asia and Africa?

Accepted Answer

American diplomats valued nations like France more highly for their alliance in the European Cold War.

Question 18

What were the Nuremberg trials?

Accepted Answer

The Nuremberg trials were a series of military tribunals held after World War II, where leading German officials were prosecuted for war crimes, including crimes against humanity, related to the Holocaust and other atrocities.

Question 19

According to Time magazine's Henry Luce, what was the key word to explain the essence of the United States?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Time magazine's Henry Luce, what...

Question 20

How did Walter Lippmann view the Cold War?

Accepted Answer

Walter Lippmann was critical of turning U.S. foreign policy into an ideological crusade during the Cold War, advocating for a more pragmatic approach.

Quiz 23: The United States and the Cold War, 1945-1953