Question 1

The Bush administration's so-called Global War on Terror and the war in Iraq were expressions of
A)isolationism.
B)deterrence.
C)preventive war.
D)appeasement.

Accepted Answer

The Bush administration believed that it was necessary to engage in preventive war to eliminate the threat of terrorism and to prevent future attacks on the United States. This was articulated in the National Security Strategy of 2002, which declared that the United States had the right to use military force to preempt threats before they materialize. The decision to invade Iraq was based on the belief that Saddam Hussein's regime possessed weapons of mass destruction and would be willing to use them against the United States or its allies. Whether or not this assessment was accurate is a matter of debate, but the decision to engage in preventive war was a defining feature of the Bush administration's foreign policy.

Question 2

American trade policies tend to
A)benefit most Americans by reducing the cost of consumer goods but hurt workers in some industries by creating incentives for companies to relocate jobs to foreign countries.
B)hurt most Americans by increasing the costs of consumer goods but benefit workers in some industries by creating incentives for companies to pay higher wages.
C)hurt most Americans by increasing the costs of consumer goods and by creating incentives for companies to relocate jobs to foreign countries.
D)have very little impact on the price of consumer goods or the incentives companies face to relocate jobs to foreign countries.

Accepted Answer

American trade policies tend to benefit most Americans by reducing the cost of consumer goods through imports, but this can hurt workers in some industries by creating incentives for companies to move jobs to countries with lower labor costs. This can lead to job loss and downward pressure on wages in affected industries.

Question 3

American embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions are managed by the
A)Central Intelligence Agency.
B)Department of Homeland Security.
C)State Department.
D)Department of Defense.

Accepted Answer

American embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions are managed by the State Department. The State Department is responsible for carrying out the foreign policy of the United States and advising the President on foreign relations.

Question 4

Most American presidents have had
A)extensive experience in both foreign and domestic policy before taking office.
B)extensive experience in foreign policy but very little background in domestic policy before taking office.
C)extensive experience in domestic policy but very little background in foreign policy before taking office.
D)very little experience in either foreign or domestic policy before taking office.

Accepted Answer

Many American presidents have had experience in domestic policy before taking office, such as being a governor or serving in Congress. However, they may have less experience in foreign policy.

Question 5

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) stipulated that
A)the government could not undertake electronic surveillance of Americans for any reason.
B)the government would be required to apply for a warrant from a special court in order to undertake electronic surveillance of Americans.
C)the government could collect and analyze all electronic data produced by American citizens.
D)any attempt by a foreign government to collect data on American citizens would be considered an act of war.

Accepted Answer

FISA requires the government to obtain a warrant from a special court, known as the FISA Court, in order to conduct electronic surveillance of Americans. This is intended to balance national security interests with the protection of individual privacy rights.

Question 6

The United States chose to fight a war in Korea because
A)the Monroe Doctrine was violated by Soviet military actions near Seoul.
B)a Korean military vessel attacked an American naval ship in the Gulf of Tonkin.
C)policy makers believed that if the United States did not fight, it would embolden the Soviet Union to pursue an expansionist policy elsewhere.
D)American obligations under NATO required military intervention.

Accepted Answer

The United States chose to fight a war in Korea because policymakers believed that if the United States did not fight, it would embolden the Soviet Union to pursue an expansionist policy elsewhere. The fear of Soviet aggression and expansionism guided American foreign policy during the Cold War. The Korean War was seen as an opportunity to contain Soviet influence and prevent further Communist expansion in Asia.

Question 7

Deterrence assumes the ________ of the U.S.response and the ________ of an adversary.
A)rationality; certainty
B)certainty; rationality
C)weakness; power
D)timeliness; delay

Accepted Answer

Deterrence assumes that the U.S. response will be certain and predictable, and that the adversary is rational and can be deterred by the threat of a strong and decisive response. Therefore, the best choice is B: certainty (of the response) and rationality (of the adversary).

Question 8

In foreign policy, the Bush Doctrine refers to
A)managing the war on terrorism through multination diplomacy.
B)the tactic of relying on the United Nations to help achieve U.S.objectives.
C)increasing the size and scope of NATO forces.
D)preemptive war.

Accepted Answer

The Bush Doctrine refers to the policy of preemptive war, which involves attacking an enemy before they can attack the United States. This policy was used in the lead up to the Iraq War in 2003, when President George W. Bush argued that Iraq posed a threat to U.S. security and needed to be attacked before it could launch a preemptive strike. The doctrine was controversial and remains a topic of debate in foreign policy circles.

Question 9

The National Security Council includes all of the following actors EXCEPT the
A)vice president.
B)head of the CIA.
C)secretary of state.
D)chairperson of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Accepted Answer

The National Security Council is composed of the President, Vice President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Director of National Intelligence, and Secretary of Homeland Security. The head of the CIA is not a member of the National Security Council. However, they may attend meetings as advisors. The chairperson of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is also not a member of the National Security Council.

Question 10

The fact that the United States remains silent in the face of human rights violations by a number of countries illustrates that
A)the United States has been pursuing a policy of isolationism since the end of World War II.
B)protecting human rights is less important to American foreign policy than security concerns and economic interests.
C)the president has only limited power in determining American foreign policy.
D)Congress has only limited power in determining American foreign policy.

Accepted Answer

The fact that the United States remains silent in the face of human rights violations suggests that protecting human rights is less important to American foreign policy than security concerns and economic interests. This is evidenced by the United States' relationships with countries that have poor human rights records, such as Saudi Arabia and China.

Question 11

If the United States formally recognizes a country, it means that the United States will
A)not impose tariffs on goods imported from that country.
B)engage in routine trade and diplomatic exchanges with that country and will allow that country's citizens to travel to America.
C)go to war on behalf of that country if that country is attacked.
D)provide foreign aid to that country.

Accepted Answer

Formal recognition by the United States means the establishment of diplomatic relations, which includes routine trade and diplomatic exchanges and the facilitation of travel for citizens. It does not guarantee the absence of tariffs, military intervention, or foreign aid.

Question 12

The main job of the director of national intelligence is to
A)head the National Intelligence Agency.
B)act as the primary adviser to the president on foreign policy matters.
C)serve as a mediator between the CIA, FBI, and National Security Council.
D)collate and coordinate intelligence coming in from multiple sources and to report this information to the president.

Accepted Answer

The main job of the director of national intelligence is to collate and coordinate intelligence coming in from multiple sources and to report this information to the president. The director serves as the principal advisor to the president, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council on intelligence matters related to national security. While the director works closely with the CIA, FBI, and other intelligence agencies, it is not their job to serve as a mediator between these agencies.

Question 13

In a crisis, which of the following has the greatest foreign policy influence?
A)the president
B)Congress
C)the Senate
D)the public

Accepted Answer

In a crisis, the president has the greatest foreign policy influence because they have the authority to make quick decisions and direct actions in response to the crisis. The president is also responsible for representing the United States on the global stage and negotiating with other countries to resolve the crisis. While Congress and the Senate can provide oversight and funding for foreign policy decisions, their influence is typically more indirect and the process can be slower. The public can also have some influence through their opinions and pressure on elected officials, but they may not have the same level of knowledge or expertise to make informed decisions about foreign policy.

Question 14

The Department of Defense was created in
A)1790.
B)1865.
C)1947.
D)2002.

Accepted Answer

The Department of Defense was created in 1947 when President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act into law, which established the Department of Defense as a separate cabinet-level department of the U.S. government. Prior to this, the military was overseen by the Department of War and the Department of the Navy.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about foreign policy is MOST accurate?
A)The Constitution gives the president no role to play whatsoever in determining American foreign policy.
B)The Constitution gives Congress no role to play whatsoever in determining American foreign policy.
C)The institutional powers of the presidency give presidents an advantage over political forces based in Congress when determining American foreign policy.
D)The institutional powers of Congress give members of Congress an advantage over presidents when determining American foreign policy.

Accepted Answer

While the Constitution does give Congress certain powers related to foreign policy, such as the power to declare war, the institutional powers of the presidency, such as the ability to negotiate treaties and command the military, give presidents an advantage over political forces based in Congress when determining American foreign policy.

Question 16

America's international economic and monetary policies are coordinated and implemented by the
A)State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Council of Economic Advisers.
B)Treasury Department, the Commerce Department, and the Office of the U.S.Trade Representative.
C)Council on Foreign Relations, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the Office of Management and Budget.
D)International Monetary Fund, Amnesty International, and the World Economic Forum.

Accepted Answer

The Treasury Department, the Commerce Department, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative are all key players in America's international economic and monetary policies. The Treasury Department is responsible for managing U.S. government finances, including international financial relationships and trade, while the Commerce Department is responsible for promoting economic growth and job creation, including through international trade, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is responsible for developing and implementing U.S. trade policy, including negotiations with foreign governments and international organizations.

Question 17

The growing use of executive agreements by presidents over time has had the effect of ________ the importance of the ________'s constitutional treaty power.
A)enhancing; Senate
B)diminishing; Senate
C)enhancing; House of Representative
D)diminishing; House of Representative

Accepted Answer

The growing use of executive agreements by presidents has diminished the importance of the Senate's constitutional treaty power. Executive agreements allow presidents to bypass the Senate's advice and consent role in the treaty-making process, reducing the Senate's role in foreign policy decision-making.

Question 18

If the United States were to provide millions of dollars in grants to pay the medical and legal expenses incurred by individuals who have been the victims of political retaliation in their own
Countries, doing so would
A)increase the United States' "hard power."
B)increase the United States' "soft power."
C)lead to "détente."
D)lead to "appeasement."

Accepted Answer

Providing grants to individuals who have suffered political retaliation would demonstrate the United States' commitment to human rights and would increase its "soft power" by improving its reputation and influence in the international community. It could also potentially lead to improved relations with the countries where these individuals reside. However, it would not necessarily increase the United States' "hard power," as this term refers to military and economic capabilities rather than reputation and influence. It also would not necessarily lead to "détente" (a reduction in tensions between countries) or "appeasement" (making concessions to avoid conflict).

Question 19

The Cold War began in the
A)late 1940s, soon after World War II.
B)early 1950s, with the Korean War.
C)late 1950s, with American involvement in Vietnam.
D)early 1960s, with the Cuban missile crisis.

Accepted Answer

The Cold War began in the late 1940s, soon after World War II ended. This was a period of political and military tension between the Western powers, led by the United States, and the Eastern powers, led by the Soviet Union. The two sides did not engage in direct military conflict, but instead engaged in various proxy wars and arms races. The Cold War lasted until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Question 20

The Department of Homeland Security was established in
A)1790.
B)1865.
C)1942.
D)2002.

Accepted Answer

The Department of Homeland Security was established in 2002 as a response to the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Quiz 18: Foreign Policy and Democracy

The Bush administration's so-called Global War on Terror and the war in Iraq were expressions of

American trade policies tend to

American embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions are managed by the

Most American presidents have had

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) stipulated that

The United States chose to fight a war in Korea because

Deterrence assumes the of the U.S.response and the of an adversary.

In foreign policy, the Bush Doctrine refers to

The National Security Council includes all of the following actors EXCEPT the

The fact that the United States remains silent in the face of human rights violations by a number of countries illustrates that

If the United States formally recognizes a country, it means that the United States will

The main job of the director of national intelligence is to

In a crisis, which of the following has the greatest foreign policy influence?

The Department of Defense was created in

Which of the following statements about foreign policy is MOST accurate?

America's international economic and monetary policies are coordinated and implemented by the

The growing use of executive agreements by presidents over time has had the effect of the importance of the 's constitutional treaty power.

If the United States were to provide millions of dollars in grants to pay the medical and legal expenses incurred by individuals who have been the victims of political retaliation in their own Countries, doing so would

The Cold War began in the

The Department of Homeland Security was established in