Question 1

Whereas Britain and France had been the most influential external powers in Latin America in the nineteenth century, the United States would become the dominant foreign power in the early twentieth.

Accepted Answer

This is true as the United States started to exert its dominance in Latin America in the early 1900s through its economic, military, and political influence. The Monroe Doctrine (1823) also laid the groundwork for the United States to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries and establish itself as a regional power.

Question 2

Which of the following was NOT a factor that encouraged the renewal and expansion of Cubans' war for independence?

Accepted Answer

José Martí, while a key figure in the Cuban fight for independence, was more renowned for his abilities as a writer, thinker, and organizer rather than as a military strategist. His contributions were crucial in inspiring and mobilizing support for Cuba's independence, particularly through his leadership in exile and his role in the planning of the war, but he was not known for his tactical military expertise.

Question 3

Which of the following is FALSE about the situation in Cuba at the time of US intervention in 1898?

Accepted Answer

The Cuban insurgents, while facing significant challenges, were not without prospects for success. Their control of the countryside and the attrition of Spanish forces through disease and conflict meant that they maintained a significant resistance against Spanish control. The statement underestimates the potential and resilience of the Cuban insurgents at the time.

Question 4

Before authorizing intervention in Cuba, the United States Congress guaranteed that Cuba would become independent (and not be annexed to the United States).

Accepted Answer

The Teller Amendment, passed by the United States Congress in 1898, guaranteed that the United States would not annex Cuba but instead would leave the island to its people once they had achieved independence from Spanish colonial rule. This amendment was a condition for the United States intervening in Cuba during the Spanish-American War.

Question 5

Which of the following is FALSE about Cuba during the Platt Amendment period (1901-1934)?

Accepted Answer

During the Platt Amendment period, collective activism by Afro-Cubans did not force the government to make good on its promises of social equality and economic justice and opportunity for Cubans of color. In fact, Afro-Cubans faced discrimination and marginalization during this time period.

Question 6

The U.S. occupations of Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua all involved training important and powerful police and/or military forces.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. occupations of Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua all involved training important and powerful police and/or military forces. The U.S. viewed the creation of these forces as crucial for maintaining order and protecting American economic interests in the region.

Question 7

Obstacles to the construction of a trans-isthmian canal in the first years of the twentieth century included all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The answer of Obstacles to the construction of a trans-isthmian...

Question 8

The US occupation of Haiti was an example of how economic interests and "dollar diplomacy" could lead to US intervention even in the absence of any US strategic or security interest.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The US occupation of Haiti was an...

Question 9

Consequences of the War of the Pacific included all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

All the other consequences listed in A, B, and D actually did occur as a result of the War of the Pacific.

Question 10

The consequences of the oil boom in Venezuela in the 1920s and 1930s included all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The answer of The consequences of the oil boom in...

Question 11

In both Mexico and Venezuela, decades of positivism had created strong central governments capable of enforcing vigorous financial, labor, and environmental standards on the foreign oil companies.

Accepted Answer

In both Mexico and Venezuela, the influence of positivism did lead to the establishment of strong central governments. However, these governments often struggled to enforce vigorous financial, labor, and environmental standards on foreign oil companies, especially in the early stages of the oil industry's development in these countries. The power dynamics between the state and foreign oil companies were complex and varied over time, with the companies often exerting significant influence.

Question 12

Under Henry Ford's scientific management, the Amazon proved an ideal environment to
intensifying and scale up the planting of rubber trees, giving Amazon rubber an economic advantage over South and Southeast Asian rubber plantations.

Accepted Answer

Henry Ford's scientific management principles were primarily applied to his automobile manufacturing operations and did not play a significant role in the development of the Amazon rubber industry. The economic advantage of Amazon rubber came from its natural characteristics and the unique conditions of the region allowing for high yield and low cost production.

Question 13

Which of the following statements about the "Baltimore Affair" is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Relations between the US and Chilean governments had not been smooth before the incident. There had been tension between the two countries due to Chile's increasing economic and political power in the region, which threatened American dominance.

Question 14

The outcome of the "Pan-American" movement in these years did not satisfy the goals of either Manuel Ugarte or James G. Blaine.

Accepted Answer

Both Ugarte and Blaine had different visions for the Pan-American movement, and the actual outcome did not align with either of their goals.

Question 15

Which of the following was NOT a priority issue of feminist activism in Latin America in the first decades of the twentieth century?

Accepted Answer

While legalizing abortion is still a priority issue for feminists in Latin America, it was not a major concern during the first decades of the twentieth century. The main focus at that time was on securing basic rights such as voting, legal standing, and property ownership for women, especially married women.

Quiz 7: Progress and Its Discontents, 1880-1929