Question 1

Discuss the causes and consequences of the 1981−1983 economic recession.

Accepted Answer

The 1981-1983 economic recession in the United States was primarily caused by a combination of factors, including tight monetary policy by the Federal Reserve to combat inflation, high interest rates, and a sharp decrease in government spending. Additionally, the oil price shock of the late 1970s and early 1980s also contributed to the economic downturn.

The consequences of the 1981-1983 recession were significant. Unemployment rose to levels not seen since the Great Depression, reaching a peak of 10.8% in late 1982. Many businesses struggled and some were forced to close, leading to a wave of bankruptcies. The housing market also suffered, with high interest rates making it difficult for many Americans to afford mortgages.

The recession also had a lasting impact on the U.S. economy, leading to a shift in economic policy and a focus on reducing inflation. The Federal Reserve's tight monetary policy, while contributing to the recession, ultimately helped to bring down inflation and set the stage for the economic expansion of the late 1980s and 1990s.

Overall, the 1981-1983 recession was a difficult period for the U.S. economy, but it also led to important changes that ultimately helped to lay the groundwork for future economic growth.

Question 2

During the 1980s, what was a major reason for the increase in the poverty rate in America?

Accepted Answer

A)   Increasing elderly populations in cities
B)   The absence of federally funded centers that could provide job training to the chronically unemployed
C)   A decrease in well-paying blue-collar jobs and an increase in lower-paying service jobs
D)   The failure of public education to produce literate, employment-ready graduates C

Question 3

Examine Ronald Reagan's economic policies and their impact on American society. What were the successes of his economic policies? What were the shortcomings or failings?

Accepted Answer

Ronald Reagan's economic policies, often referred to as Reaganomics, had a significant impact on American society. One of the key components of his economic policies was supply-side economics, which focused on reducing government regulation and taxation in order to stimulate economic growth.

One of the successes of Reagan's economic policies was the significant reduction in inflation and unemployment rates during his presidency. Additionally, his tax cuts and deregulation policies are often credited with contributing to the economic boom of the 1980s. The stock market also experienced significant growth during this time, and many industries saw increased productivity and profitability.

However, there were also shortcomings and failings of Reagan's economic policies. The tax cuts and increased military spending led to a significant increase in the national debt, which has had long-term implications for the country's fiscal health. Additionally, income inequality grew during Reagan's presidency, as the benefits of his economic policies were not evenly distributed among all Americans.

Furthermore, the deregulation policies implemented during Reagan's presidency have been criticized for contributing to financial instability and corporate greed, as seen in events such as the savings and loan crisis. Additionally, the impact of Reagan's economic policies on social welfare programs and the environment has been a source of ongoing debate and criticism.

In conclusion, while Reagan's economic policies had some successes in terms of stimulating economic growth and reducing inflation and unemployment, they also had significant shortcomings and failings, particularly in terms of increasing the national debt and income inequality, and contributing to financial instability and environmental degradation.

Question 4

Who was the first woman to be seated on the Supreme Court of the United States?

Accepted Answer

A)   Anita Bryant
B)   Geraldine Ferraro
C)   Sandra Day O'Connor
D)   Phyllis Schlafly

Question 5

Why was international American credibility damaged as a result of its covert arms sale to Iran?

Accepted Answer

A)   Congress had passed legislation that prohibited arms sales to any Third World nation.
B)   The sale violated treaty agreements between the United States and the Soviet Union concerning nations in the Middle East.
C)   The United States was actively allied with Iraq in its war against Iran.
D)   America was trading with a country that it had condemned as a terrorist state and with which it had demanded its allies not trade.

Question 6

The purpose of the Immigration Reform and Control (Simpson-Rodino) Act of 1986 was to ________________.

Accepted Answer

A)   stem the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States by penalizing employers who hired undocumented workers
B)   set quotas for the number of immigrants to be accepted each year into the United States from various regions of the world
C)   establish methods of tracking immigrants, especially those from the Middle East, once they entered the United States
D)   bar entry into the United States of all non-English-speaking immigrants intending to seek citizenship

Question 7

Examine the issues and personalities and explain the outcomes of the 1980 presidential and congressional elections.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Examine the issues and personalities and explain...

Question 8

During President Reagan's first term, the nation's environmental movement was reenergized because of _____________.

Accepted Answer

A)   the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant
B)   the views and actions of Reagan's Secretary of the Interior, James Watt
C)   President Reagan's veto of the Clean Air Act
D)   crop failures in the Midwest obviously caused by the greenhouse effect

Question 9

Among President Reagan's accomplishments was ____________________.

Accepted Answer

A)   the restoration of a mood of confidence and optimism in an America shaken by the social and economic crises of the 1970s
B)   an enormous reduction in the budget deficit
C)   improved relations with most of Latin America
D)   passage of major environmental-protection legislation

Question 10

Discuss the characteristics of the new immigrants of the 1980s and explain the impact of these immigrants on American society.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the characteristics of the new immigrants...

Question 11

In his 1984 reelection campaign, President Reagan ____________________.

Accepted Answer

A)   capitalized on his administration's accomplishments in the area of arms control
B)   used television ads that proclaimed "America is back" while showing heartwarming images of American life
C)   pledged that he would not dismantle the New Deal
D)   attempted to disassociate himself from the Moral Majority

Question 12

What caused the 1985 and 1986 talks between Soviet and American officials on strategic arms control to stall?

Accepted Answer

A)   The two nations could not agree on how to deal with British and French nuclear weapons aimed at the Soviet Union.
B)   Gorbachev refused to dismantle the SS-20 missiles aimed at western Europe.
C)   President Reagan refused to limit the Strategic Defense Initiative.
D)   Reagan continued to insist on deployment of the MX missile.

Question 13

In the "culture wars" of the 1980s, the New Right advocated for __________________.

Accepted Answer

A)   multiculturalism
B)   fundamentalist Christianity
C)   secular humanism
D)   feminism

Question 14

The major reason for the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War in the late 1980s was ____________________.

Accepted Answer

A)   Ronald Reagan's launching of the Strategic Defense Initiative
B)   a major nuclear power plant disaster in the Soviet Union that virtually destroyed the Soviet economy
C)   a chain of industrial failures in Soviet client states initiated by American covert actions undertaken by the CIA on orders from President Reagan
D)   the rise to power of Mikhail Gorbachev

Question 15

After arriving in Lebanon in 1982 as a peacekeeping force, American troops ____________________.

Accepted Answer

A)   allied with the Israeli troops remaining in Lebanon
B)   brought peace and stability to the war-ravaged country
C)   became involved in the hostilities between warring Lebanese factions
D)   consistently maintained a strictly neutral position in the Lebanese civil war

Question 16

Examine the resurgence of conservatism in American society in the 1970s and 1980s, and discuss the goals of economic and social conservatives. Were conservatives successful in achieving their goals? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Examine the resurgence of conservatism in American...

Question 17

Oliver North, William Casey, and John Poindexter used money from the Iran arms deal to ______________.

Accepted Answer

A)   bribe members of the Sandinista government
B)   buy the release of American hostages in Lebanon
C)   provide economic aid to El Salvador
D)   subvert the will of Congress by providing funds to aid the contras in Nicaragua

Question 18

As president, Ronald Reagan pleased the New Right by _________________.

Accepted Answer

A)   imposing sanctions against South Africa
B)   supporting legislation to end television advertising by tobacco companies
C)   supporting environmental-protection legislation designed to promote conservation and preservation of the nation's natural resources
D)   supporting Christian prayer in public schools

Question 19

The Bush administration decided to force Panama's General Manuel Antonio Noriega from power because ____________________.

Accepted Answer

A)   revelations concerning Noriega's drug-trafficking activities caused protests in Panama
B)   the CIA uncovered a plot by Noriega to close the Panama Canal
C)   Noriega consistently opposed American aid to the contras
D)   United States intelligence agents discovered that he was selling arms to leftist insurgents in El Salvador

Question 20

What was a consequence of the Federal Reserve Board's 1981 decision to tighten the money supply?

Accepted Answer

A)   The inflation rate increased.
B)   Interest rates began a slow but steady decline.
C)   Economic activity declined and the unemployment rate increased.
D)   Federal budget deficits were brought under control.

Exam 28: Conservatism Revived, 1980-1992