Question 1

Which conflict saw the introduction of the concept of preventive war, the strategy of waging war on countries regarded as threats to avoid future conflicts?

Accepted Answer

The concept of preventive war was introduced by the Bush administration during the lead up to the Iraq War in 2003. The justification for the war was based on the belief that Iraq posed a potential threat to the security of the United States and its allies, and that preemptively removing Saddam Hussein's regime would prevent future conflicts. This idea was controversial and criticized by many as a departure from traditional international law and norms.

Question 2

What was the Soviet Union's response to the creation of NATO?

Accepted Answer

The Soviet Union's response to the creation of NATO was the formation of the Warsaw Pact, a military alliance with other communist countries in Eastern Europe. This was a direct response to the perceived threat from the Western military alliance.

Question 3

Which presidential doctrine emphasized the right of the United States to take unilateral action against enemies?

Accepted Answer

The Bush Doctrine, announced in 2002, emphasized the right of the United States to take unilateral action against enemies, particularly in the context of the War on Terror. This doctrine also included the principles of preemption, stating that the United States may take military action against potential threats before they actually attack.

Question 4

Which presidential doctrine emphasized the responsibility of U.S. allies to provide for their own national defense and sought to improve relations with the Soviet Union and China, the two communist world powers?

Accepted Answer

The Nixon Doctrine, announced in 1969, emphasized the importance of U.S. allies taking more responsibility for their own defense and reducing U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts. It also aimed to improve relations with the Soviet Union and China, the two major communist world powers. The Truman Doctrine (A) established the policy of containment during the Cold War. The Eisenhower Doctrine (B) was focused on protecting U.S. interests in the Middle East. The Carter Doctrine (D) emphasized U.S. commitment to protecting the Persian Gulf region. The Reagan Doctrine (E) was focused on supporting anti-communist movements around the world.

Question 5

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an example of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

NATO is a regional security alliance consisting of North American and European countries that have agreed to defend each other in the event of an attack.

Question 6

Which of these international financial organizations regulates the monetary relationship among nations and establishes exchange rates for the world's major currencies?

Accepted Answer

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the international organization that regulates the monetary relationship among nations and establishes exchange rates for the world's major currencies. The World Bank provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries, the World Trade Organization regulates international trade, NATO is a military alliance, and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade was replaced by the World Trade Organization.

Question 7

NATO was formed primarily to defend

Accepted Answer

NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was formed primarily to defend Western Europe against potential military aggression from the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The alliance consists of North American and European countries working together for collective defense.

Question 8

Which of the following BEST identifies the premise behind the creation of the United Nations?

Accepted Answer

The premise behind the creation of the United Nations was collective security, which aimed to foster international cooperation and prevent future global conflicts through collective action and mutual defense. The organization was established after the end of World War II, with the goal of promoting peace and stability among its member states.

Question 9

All of the following are permanent members of the UN Security Council, EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Italy is not a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Question 10

In 1995, the World Trade Organization replaced which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) was replaced by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995. The WTO was created to promote free trade and resolve trade disputes between member countries. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are still separate organizations, while NATO and the Bretton Woods Agreement are not related to trade.

Question 11

The collapse of the Soviet Union began during the presidency of ___________, and it was completed during the presidency of ___________.

Accepted Answer

Ronald Reagan is credited with implementing policies that put pressure on the Soviet economy, ultimately contributing to its collapse. However, it was completed under President George H.W. Bush, who oversaw the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.

Question 12

Which of the following events is the BEST example of brinksmanship?

Accepted Answer

Brinksmanship refers to the practice of pushing a dangerous situation to the brink of disaster in order to achieve one's goals. Out of the given events, the Cuban Missile Crisis is the best example of brinksmanship because the United States and the Soviet Union came very close to engaging in a nuclear war, with both sides engaging in military posturing and brinkmanship tactics to get their way. The other events do not involve such a high level of risk-taking or brinkmanship.

Question 13

After the collapse of the Soviet Union

Accepted Answer

The collapse of the Soviet Union led to the emergence of several independent states in Europe such as Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and others. Therefore, the number of independent states in Europe increased. NATO and the European Union still exist today, and communism did not continue to dominate Eastern Europe. The Warsaw Pact was dissolved prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Question 14

Which Cold War policy was designed to prevent the spread of communism?

Accepted Answer

The policy of containment aimed to prevent the spread of communism by containing the Soviet Union and its allies within their current borders and preventing them from expanding their influence. This policy was implemented through a variety of means, including military aid to anti-communist governments and economic support to rebuild Europe after World War II.

Question 15

The concept of limited war was first applied in which of the following conflicts?

Accepted Answer

The concept of limited war was first applied in the Korean War, as both the United States and the Soviet Union sought to avoid direct military confrontation and instead pursued their respective goals through proxy forces. This led to limited military objectives and rules of engagement, such as avoiding the use of nuclear weapons.

Question 16

The U.S. program that provided the funds necessary for Western European countries to rebuild after World War II was known as the

Accepted Answer

The Marshall Plan, formally known as the European Recovery Program, was enacted by the United States in 1948 to provide aid to Western European countries devastated by World War II. The plan provided billions of dollars of economic assistance to rebuild infrastructure, stimulate economic growth, and ultimately promote stability and democracy in the region. The other answer choices are unrelated to this program.

Question 17

Détente is MOST associated with this president:

Accepted Answer

Détente is most associated with President Richard Nixon, who pursued a policy of easing tensions with the Soviet Union and China during the Cold War, particularly through arms control agreements and diplomatic engagements.

Question 18

Samuel Huntington's clash of civilizations thesis holds that the greatest source of conflict now and in the future will be

Accepted Answer

Samuel Huntington's clash of civilizations thesis suggests that the greatest source of conflict will be between different cultural and religious identities. He argues that cultural and religious identities are becoming more salient in the modern world, and that clashes between different civilizations (such as between Islam and the West or between Confucianism and Christianity) will become increasingly common.

Question 19

Which of these agreements, signed in 1987, led to the first destruction of nuclear weapons by the United States and the Soviet Union?

Accepted Answer

The INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) treaty, signed in 1987, led to the first destruction of nuclear weapons by the United States and the Soviet Union. The treaty required the elimination of all ground-launched missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers.

Question 20

The "Iron Curtain" described the dominance of communism in this region:

Accepted Answer

The "Iron Curtain" was a term coined by Winston Churchill to describe the political and ideological division of Europe into two parts after World War II. The term referred to the domination of communism in Eastern Europe, which was separated from Western Europe by a physical and ideological barrier. Therefore, the best choice is Eastern Europe (D).

Quiz 18: Foreign Policy and National Security