Question 1

From 1981 to 1992,Ronald Reagan and George H.W.Bush increased federal grants to cities.

Accepted Answer

During their administrations, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush generally reduced federal grants to cities, focusing instead on policies that favored tax cuts and reduced government spending.

Question 2

In 1996 Clinton became the first Republican president to win a second term since Franklin Roosevelt.

Accepted Answer

Clinton was a Democrat, not a Republican. He was the first Democrat president to win a second term since Franklin Roosevelt.

Question 3

According to Map 24-1,what parts of the nation did Obama win in 2008?

Accepted Answer

Map 24-1 shows that Obama won the West (including California), Northeast, and parts of the South (including Virginia and Florida). Therefore, the best choice is D, as it includes all of these regions.

Question 4

Why did President George W.Bush's popularity plummet after the 2004 election?

Accepted Answer

The war in Iraq and the handling of Hurricane Katrina were major issues during President Bush's second term, causing his popularity to decline. Controversies and scandals involving his personal life and family were not as significant during this time. His appointment of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state was also not a major factor in his declining popularity. While some voters may have opposed his economic policies and the number of people in poverty, these issues were not as prominent as the war and disaster response.

Question 5

Why did President Clinton reduce funding for the social welfare program Aid to Families of Dependent Children in 1996?

Accepted Answer

President Clinton believed that the Aid to Families of Dependent Children (AFDC) program, which provided cash assistance for low-income families with children, was not effectively reducing poverty. He felt the program encouraged dependence, and he wanted to change it to a program that would encourage work and self-sufficiency. Thus, he reduced funding for AFDC in 1996 and replaced it with the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which had more stringent work requirements.

Question 6

Massachusetts Senator John F.Kerry won the Democratic Party's nomination for president in 2004.

Accepted Answer

Massachusetts Senator John F. Kerry did indeed win the Democratic Party's nomination for president in 2004.

Question 7

Which city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005?

Accepted Answer

Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, causing significant damage and loss of life.

Question 8

What is true about the differences between McCain and Obama during the election of 2008?

Accepted Answer

After the economic recession hit, Obama appeared more calm and reliable to voters than McCain did. This was a major factor in Obama's victory in the 2008 presidential election. Option A is incorrect as it was not Obama but McCain who was known for being a maverick. Option B is also incorrect as it was the Democrats who criticized McCain for not being a strong leader. Option C is partially correct as McCain did pick a more experienced political leader (Sarah Palin) but Obama's vice-presidential candidate, Joe Biden, also had significant political experience.

Question 9

The impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 included the highest storm surge in U.S.history.

Accepted Answer

Hurricane Katrina did indeed produce the highest storm surge in U.S. history, inundating large parts of the Gulf Coast and causing extensive damage and loss of life.

Question 10

The actions of Jesse Jackson in transporting thousands of Hurricane Katrina survivors to Chicago is an example of black self-help efforts when the federal government was unable to meet the needs of black people.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Jesse Jackson's transportation efforts for Hurricane Katrina survivors to Chicago is an example of black self-help efforts when the federal government was unable to meet the needs of black people affected by the disaster.

Question 11

What is true about George W.Bush's appointments of African Americans in his administration?

Accepted Answer

George W. Bush appointed Colin Powell as secretary of state and Condoleezza Rice as national security adviser, both of whom are black, to key positions in his administration. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer.

Question 12

One of the New Right's chief goals was to expand the social welfare programs created during and after the New Deal and Johnson's Great Society

Accepted Answer

The New Right's chief goal was actually to limit government intervention and reduce the size of social welfare programs, emphasizing personal responsibility and free market capitalism instead.

Question 13

Anti-Bush comments made by rapper Kanye West became an "Emmett Till" moment for the hip-hop generation in 2005.

Accepted Answer

In 2005, Kanye West made a controversial statement during a Hurricane Katrina telethon, stating "George Bush doesn't care about black people." This statement was compared to the 1955 Emmett Till case, where a black teenager was brutally murdered for allegedly flirting with a white woman. The comparison was made because both instances highlighted the ongoing struggle for racial equality in America.

Question 14

What was the connection between Obama's presidential victory and the use of popular music entertainers during the 2012 election?

Accepted Answer

Popular music entertainers played a significant role in attracting support for Obama in the 2012 election, particularly among both black and white working-class voters. This was due to the popularity of these entertainers among different demographics and their influence in promoting Obama's campaign.

Question 15

The response of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and its head Michael Brown to the Hurricane Katrina disaster was chaotic and ineffective.

Accepted Answer

The response of FEMA and Michael Brown to Hurricane Katrina has been widely criticized for being disorganized, chaotic, and inadequate. The slow response and lack of coordination in providing basic needs such as food, water, and shelter to the victims of the hurricane have been blamed for the large number of deaths and displacement caused by the disaster. Brown himself came under scrutiny for his lack of qualifications and experience for the position he held at the time.

Question 16

Ronald Reagan's defeat of Jimmy Carter in 1980 paved the way for the dominance of the New Left.

Accepted Answer

Ronald Reagan was associated with the conservative movement and the New Right, which opposed many of the values and policies of the New Left. Reagan's victory in 1980 actually signaled a shift away from the dominance of the New Left and towards a resurgence of conservative values in American politics.

Question 17

What events countered President George W.Bush's assertion that Iraq War was proceeding smoothly?

Accepted Answer

Over 3,500 U.S. troops and thousands of Iraqis were killed in the summer of 2007, which indicates that the Iraq War was not proceeding smoothly despite President George W. Bush's assertion. None of the other options directly counter his assertion.

Question 18

What is the connection between Barak Obama and the 2004 Democratic Party presidential primary?

Accepted Answer

Barack Obama gave an inspiring speech at the 2004 Democratic Party presidential primary, which brought national attention to him and helped launch his political career.

Question 19

What was different from previous administrations regarding Clinton's appointment of black people to administrative positions?

Accepted Answer

Clinton appointed black people to positions that often had nothing to do with race, such as Interior Secretary or Surgeon General. This was different from previous administrations where black people were often only appointed to positions related to civil rights or race relations.

Question 20

When Clinton left office in 2001,the country had the lowest poverty rate in 20 years.

Accepted Answer

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate in 2000 was 11.3%, the lowest it had been since 1973.

Quiz 24: The Triumph of Black Politics: 1980 to the Present