Question 1

The third-party candidate Ross Perot:

Accepted Answer

Ross Perot received 18.9% of the popular vote in the 1992 presidential election, which is the most votes for a third-party candidate since Theodore Roosevelt's Bull Moose Party in 1912.

Question 2

What was the Contract with America?

Accepted Answer

The Contract with America was a 1994 plan presented by the Republican Party during the midterm elections, outlining promises to cut federal programs, reduce the size of government, and enact conservative policies. It included proposals to slash funding for education, medical care, and environmental protection.

Question 3

Who in George H.W. Bush's administration disagreed strongly with the Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney about the future of national security after the Cold War?

Accepted Answer

Colin Powell disagreed strongly with Dick Cheney about the future of national security after the Cold War, specifically regarding the use of military force in Iraq. Powell believed in building international alliances and seeking diplomatic solutions before resorting to military action, while Cheney advocated for more aggressive, unilateral military action. This disagreement ultimately led to Powell's resignation from the administration in 2004.

Question 4

NAFTA:

Accepted Answer

NAFTA, or the North American Free Trade Agreement, created a free-trade zone for the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It was not related to Great Britain, South America, Japan, or Western Europe, and was controversial at the time, with some groups supporting it for increased economic integration and others opposing it for potential negative effects on jobs and environmental regulations.

Question 5

How did President Clinton respond to the Republican victory in the 1994 congressional elections?

Accepted Answer

Following the Republican victory in the 1994 congressional elections, President Clinton responded by campaigning against radical Republicans and moving toward the center. He pursued more moderate policies and worked with Republicans on issues such as welfare reform and the federal budget. This strategy, known as the "Third Way," helped Clinton win re-election in 1996.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about the Internet is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

The Internet was originally funded and developed by the United States government and was not intended to be owned and operated by private telecommunications companies.

Question 7

Bill Clinton's foreign policy centered on:

Accepted Answer

Bill Clinton's foreign policy was notable for its emphasis on integrating human rights into international relations, reflecting a post-Cold War shift towards addressing global humanitarian issues alongside traditional diplomatic concerns.

Question 8

President Bill Clinton:

Accepted Answer

The answer of President Bill Clinton:
...

Question 9

By the end of 1991, Soviet attempts at economic reform had created chaos, and the:

Accepted Answer

The chaos created by Soviet attempts at economic reform ultimately led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union by the end of 1991, effectively ending the Cold War. The other options presented do not accurately reflect the historical events that occurred during this period.

Question 10

In 1992, Bill Clinton secured the Democratic nomination for president because he:

Accepted Answer

Bill Clinton's campaign combined social liberalism with elements of conservatism and presented him as a moderate candidate appealing to both Democrats and swing voters. This strategy, known as the "Third Way," helped him win the nomination and the presidency.

Question 11

What were the student protesters who occupied Tiananmen Square in Beijing in June 1989 demanding?

Accepted Answer

The student protesters who occupied Tiananmen Square in Beijing in June 1989 were demanding greater democracy in China, including more political freedoms and a more open and transparent government. They called for an end to corruption and greater accountability from government officials. The protests eventually led to a government crackdown, resulting in a violent confrontation between the protesters and the Chinese military.

Question 12

Bill Clinton was easily reelected in 1996 because he:

Accepted Answer

Clinton embraced popular Republican policies such as welfare reform, crime control, and balanced budgets, which helped him appeal to a wider range of voters and ultimately win reelection in 1996.

Question 13

Health-care reform during Clinton's first term:

Accepted Answer

Health-care reform was a major issue for President Clinton during his first term, but it faced strong opposition from drug companies, insurance companies, and doctors. First Lady Hillary Clinton did champion a universal coverage plan, but it ultimately failed to gain enough support in Congress. The Republican Party did oppose the Clinton plan, but it was not a policy priority for them until after it failed to pass.

Question 14

President George H. W. Bush's first major foreign policy action was:

Accepted Answer

The answer of President George H. W. Bush's first major...

Question 15

Which of the following BEST explains George H.W. Bush's loss in the 1992 presidential election?

Accepted Answer

Both B and D are factors that contributed to George H.W. Bush's loss in the 1992 presidential election. The country was in a recession and many voters were attracted to Ross Perot's independent candidacy.

Question 16

The "Freedom Revolution" was:

Accepted Answer

The "Freedom Revolution" refers to the Republican victory in the 1994 congressional elections, where they gained control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, marking a significant political shift in the United States.

Question 17

During the Balkan crisis, President Clinton:

Accepted Answer

President Clinton supported NATO's efforts by deploying American planes and ground troops. He authorized a NATO-led airstrike campaign against Serbian forces in Bosnia in 1995, and later authorized airstrikes against Serbia in 1999 to stop the ethnic cleansing of Albanians in Kosovo. The U.S. played a major role in these military actions.

Question 18

Operation Desert Storm:

Accepted Answer

Operation Desert Storm quickly drove the Iraqi army out of Kuwait, with the primary goal of restoring Kuwaiti independence and territorial integrity. It was a successful military operation, but did not involve ousting Saddam Hussein from power, lacked a clear strategic political goal beyond addressing the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, and was supported by multiple United Nations resolutions. It did not involve Iran in any way.

Question 19

Globalization:

Accepted Answer

Globalization is closely associated with the 1990s, but it was not a new phenomenon. It was symbolized by corporations such as Microsoft and organizations like the WTO. It promoted the free flow of goods and services across borders, but only with a strict regulatory apparatus in place. However, it had little to do with the collapse of communism.

Question 20

Which of the following technologies had the least influential effect on American life?

Accepted Answer

Video cassettes were a popular entertainment technology during the 1980s and 1990s, but they did not have as significant of an impact on American life as the other options listed. Computer games, cell phones, computers, and microchips have all had far-reaching effects on communication, business, education, and social behavior.

Quiz 27: From Triumph to Tragedy, 1989-2001