Question 1

What development led to the Great Recession?

Accepted Answer

The Great Recession was primarily triggered by the collapse of a real estate bubble in the United States, which led to a financial crisis and economic downturn globally.

Question 2

Which of the following is considered to have contributed to the rise of radical, violent Islam?

Accepted Answer

The Chechnya conflict involved significant radicalization and the rise of violent Islamist groups, particularly during the Second Chechen War, which attracted foreign fighters and led to the spread of radical ideologies.

Question 3

What development in 2002 symbolized the increasing interconnectedness of European states?

Accepted Answer

The adoption of the euro as a common currency in 2002 symbolized the increasing interconnectedness of European states by facilitating easier trade and economic integration among the countries that adopted it.

Question 4

Which of the following statements about the European response to the Iraq War is accurate?

Accepted Answer

Many European leaders were skeptical of the Iraq War, and while some countries like the UK and Poland offered military aid, others like Germany and France were opposed.

Question 5

Which category of country had yet to legalize gay marriage as of mid-2017?

Accepted Answer

Former Communist countries were generally slower to legalize gay marriage due to historical, cultural, and political factors.

Question 6

What form did the Afghan and Iraq Wars take?

Accepted Answer

The Afghan and Iraq Wars were characterized by drawn-out guerilla conflicts, involving prolonged military engagements with insurgent groups using unconventional warfare tactics.

Question 7

How did terrorist attacks in Russia differ from those in Europe and the United States?

Accepted Answer

The terrorist attacks in Russia were often motivated by the Chechnya conflict, which is a specific regional issue, unlike the broader anti-Western motivations seen in attacks in Europe and the United States.

Question 8

Which nations provided military aid for the American invasion of Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks?

Accepted Answer

All NATO nations provided military aid for the American invasion of Afghanistan, as NATO invoked Article 5 for the first time, which considers an attack against one member as an attack against all.

Question 9

What type of economic leadership did Germany provide during the Great Recession?

Accepted Answer

Germany supported austerity measures, advocating for cuts in public spending as a solution to economic problems during the Great Recession.

Question 10

What condition was imposed on the bailout of Greece?

Accepted Answer

The bailout of Greece was conditioned on the implementation of severe austerity measures, which included spending cuts, tax increases, and structural reforms to stabilize the economy and reduce the national debt.

Question 11

What was significant about the addition of formerly Eastern bloc states to the EU?

Accepted Answer

The addition of Eastern bloc states to the EU allowed for the free movement of labor, leading to significant migration from Eastern to Western Europe in search of better economic opportunities.

Question 12

What concern did many economists have about the euro?

Accepted Answer

Standardized monetary policies might not suit the diverse economic conditions and needs of different EU member states, leading to potential economic imbalances.

Question 13

What view do Muslim jihadists and some European far-right politicians share?

Accepted Answer

Both Muslim jihadists and some European far-right politicians view the conflict as a "clash between civilizations," seeing it as an inherent and inevitable conflict between Islamic and Western cultures.

Question 14

What event in France shifted voters toward right-wing positions on immigration?

Accepted Answer

The riots in impoverished suburbs bordering French cities, particularly the 2005 riots, highlighted issues related to immigration and integration, leading to a shift in voter sentiment towards right-wing positions on immigration.

Question 15

How many people were killed in the September 11 attack in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the September 11 attacks in the United States.

Question 16

Which country has been the staunchest supporter of the EU?

Accepted Answer

Germany has been one of the strongest supporters of the European Union, playing a key role in its development and integration efforts.

Question 17

What was one of the reasons why France and the Netherlands rejected the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe in 2002?

Accepted Answer

Many voters in France and the Netherlands were concerned about increased European integration leading to more competition for jobs from Central and Eastern European migrants.

Question 18

Which of the following changes in Western European countries coincided with debates over increased European integration and the transformation of European countries into post-industrial societies?

Accepted Answer

The transformation into post-industrial societies often involved a shift from manufacturing to service-oriented economies, with globalization leading to the relocation of industrial jobs to countries with cheaper labor.

Question 19

What prevented European governments from addressing the Great Recession with Keynesian policies?

Accepted Answer

The EU's Stability and Growth Pact required member countries to maintain budget deficits below 3% of GDP, limiting their ability to implement expansive fiscal policies typical of Keynesian economics during the Great Recession.

Question 20

Which describes the response of the European states to the threat of climate change?

Accepted Answer

European states generally agree on the need to address climate change, leading to the development and support of renewable energy initiatives.

Quiz 26: Under Pressure: Europes Uncertain Present, Since 2000