Question 1

The sunbelt includes the southern and western states.

Accepted Answer

This is correct. The sunbelt generally refers to the southern and western regions of the United States, which enjoy warmer and sunnier weather compared to other parts of the country.

Question 2

The 1991 Persian Gulf War was provoked by Iraq's invasion of Saudi Arabia.

Accepted Answer

The 1991 Persian Gulf War was actually provoked by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, not Saudi Arabia.

Question 3

When AIDS emerged in the 1980s, many in the Reagan administration viewed it largely as a "gay" disease.

Accepted Answer

Many officials in the Reagan administration initially dismissed or downplayed the severity of the AIDS crisis because it was largely affecting gay men and people who injected drugs. This attitude left affected communities without necessary resources and contributed to the spread of the disease.

Question 4

The Strategic Defense Initiative was also known as "Star Wars."

Accepted Answer

The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) was famously dubbed "Star Wars" by the media due to its resemblance to the popular science fiction film franchise.

Question 5

Ronald Reagan made AIDS research a top priority of his administration.

Accepted Answer

Ronald Reagan has been widely criticized for his administration's slow response to the AIDS crisis during the 1980s.

Question 6

Ronald Reagan's years as an actor proved to be a big advantage once he entered politics.

Accepted Answer

Ronald Reagan's experience as an actor helped him with his public speaking skills and media presence, which were both important factors in his successful political career.

Question 7

The Camp David Accords were agreements between Iran and Iraq.

Accepted Answer

The Camp David Accords were agreements between Egypt and Israel, mediated by the United States in 1978.

Question 8

By 2000, the AIDS epidemic had disappeared.

Accepted Answer

The AIDS epidemic had not disappeared by 2000. While there were advancements in treatment and prevention, the epidemic continued to have a significant impact, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Question 9

During the Reagan administration, El Salvador fell to Communists.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. During the Reagan administration, El Salvador was engaged in a civil war between the government and left-wing guerrilla groups, but it did not fall to Communists. The war eventually ended in 1992 with a negotiated settlement.

Question 10

In Germany, a bloody revolution brought the destruction of the Berlin Wall.

Accepted Answer

The Berlin Wall fell peacefully in 1989, after mass protests and pressure from both East and West Germany. There was no bloody revolution involved.

Question 11

As he campaigned for president in 1980, Reagan promised to restore prosperity by:
A) bailing out ailing banks and industries
B) putting millions to work on government construction projects
C) balancing the federal budget
D) returning the country to the gold standard
E) cutting taxes

Accepted Answer

Reagan promised to restore prosperity by cutting taxes. This became known as "Reaganomics" and was based on the theory that reducing taxes on businesses and individuals would stimulate economic growth and ultimately increase government revenue. Reagan believed that government spending and regulation had become too burdensome and would only hinder economic growth. By cutting taxes, he aimed to put more money back into the hands of consumers and businesses, who could then use it to invest, spend, and create jobs.

Question 12

The Iran-Contra affair involved the illegal sales of arms to the Contra rebels in Iran.

Accepted Answer

The Iran-Contra affair involved the illegal sale of arms to Iran, with the proceeds being used to fund the Contra rebels in Nicaragua, not the sale of arms to the Contras in Iran.

Question 13

Carter's management of the economy resulted in:
A) a sharp decline in unemployment
B) unacceptably high rates of inflation
C) a near collapse of the stock market and banking industry
D) growing public confidence that the nation was recovering from the Nixon-Ford recession
E) a surplus in the federal budget

Accepted Answer

The answer of Carter's management of the economy resulted in:
A)...

Question 14

Despite Ronald Reagan's poor church attendance and his divorce and remarriage, the religious right supported him over Jimmy Carter in 1980.

Accepted Answer

Despite Reagan's personal history, the religious right saw him as a candidate who shared their political and social values, particularly on issues such as abortion and school prayer. Some leaders in the movement also believed that Reagan's strong stance against communism aligned with their belief in a biblical battle between good and evil. As a result, they supported him over Carter, who was a devout Christian but did not fully align with their political agenda.

Question 15

Reagan first became a star in Republican politics when he:
A) opposed Ford for the nomination in 1976
B) led opposition to Roosevelt in the 1930s
C) served in the Senate from California in the late 1960s
D) campaigned for Eisenhower in the 1950s
E) made a television speech for Goldwater in 1964

Accepted Answer

Reagan made a famous televised speech in support of Barry Goldwater's campaign for the presidency in 1964. This speech gained him significant attention among conservatives and launched his career as a national figure in the Republican Party.

Question 16

The biggest domestic problem facing the Bush administration was the national debt.

Accepted Answer

The national debt was a major issue during the Bush administration, with it increasing by over $5 trillion during his two terms in office.

Question 17

President Bush ordered the invasion of Grenada, a small Pacific island, after its unstable government threatened to nationalize American-owned businesses located there.

Accepted Answer

Grenada is not in the Pacific, but in the Caribbean. President Reagan ordered the invasion of Grenada in 1983, citing concerns for the safety of American students studying at a university on the island and the need to restore stability to the government. The issue of nationalizing American-owned businesses was not a primary factor in the decision to invade.

Question 18

Much of the drug war of the 1980s targeted crack cocaine usage.

Accepted Answer

This is true. The "War on Drugs" of the 1980s placed a heavy emphasis on crack cocaine usage, which was perceived as a particularly dangerous and addictive drug that was disproportionately affecting poor and minority communities. This led to harsher sentencing laws and a focus on law enforcement efforts to crack down on the production, sale, and use of crack cocaine.

Question 19

To many voters in 1980, Ronald Reagan, in contrast to Jimmy Carter, seemed:
A) indecisive
B) sunny
C) humorless
D) to be a deep thinker and expert on the details of policy
E) capable of getting Congress to pass a liberal reform program

Accepted Answer

Many voters in 1980 saw Ronald Reagan as "sunny", optimistic and full of charisma. This was in contrast to Jimmy Carter, who was seen as dour and dour-faced. Reagan's sunny disposition and optimistic message resonated with many voters who were looking for a change after years of economic turmoil and international crises.

Question 20

The religious right was a Protestant-dominated movement in which Catholics were not allowed to participate.

Accepted Answer

While the religious right was initially Protestant-dominated, Catholics eventually became involved and played a significant role in the movement. This was particularly evident in political issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage, where both Protestants and Catholics shared common views.

Quiz 33: A Conservative Realignment: 19771990