AP US History : 1901–1945
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP US History
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Domestic Politics 1901–1945
"In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression—everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way—everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want—which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear—which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor—anywhere in the world."
What event precipitated the delivery of this speech?
the onset of World War II in Europe
Brown v. Board of Education
the 1929 Stock Market Crash
the Haymarket Riots
the onset of World War II in Europe
This excerpt, from FDR's "Four Freedoms" speech, was in response to World War II in Europe. Germany had advanced across the European continent and the Battle of Britain would take place that year. FDR was seeking to combat isolationist attitudes at home, which opposed U.S. involvement in the war.
Example Question #97 : Ap Us History
"The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution."
What substantive change did this amendment make to the Constitution?
It gave each Senator 2 votes in the Senate.
It provided for the election of 3 Senators from each state.
It changed the term of Senators from 4 to 6 years.
It provided for the direct election of Senators by the people.
It provided for the direct election of Senators by the people.
This text is the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It was proposed in 1912 and ratified in 1913. It made a substantive change to the Constitution by providing for the direct election of Senators by the people. Until that time, Senators were appointed by state legislatures.
Example Question #11 : 1901–1945
Which country was not a founding member of the League of Nations?
France
Empire of Japan
Canada
Republic of China
United States
United States
Although Woodrow Wilson was instrumental in proposing the League of Nations following World War I, the US Senate never ratified the treaty. This was a direct result of Wilson's refusal to compromise with the Republican Senate Majority Leader, Henry Cabot Lodge.
Example Question #1 : Global Participation 1901–1945
The following is an excerpt from the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, delivered in 1905:
...In asserting the Monroe Doctrine, in taking such steps as we have taken in regard to Cuba, Venezuela, and Panama, and in endeavoring to circumscribe the theater of war in the Far East, and to secure the open door in China, we have acted in our own interest as well as in the interest of humanity at large... Ordinarily it is very much wiser and more useful for us to concern ourselves with striving for our own moral and material betterment here at home than to concern ourselves with trying to better the condition of things in other nations... Nevertheless there are occasional crimes committed on so vast a scale and of such peculiar horror as to make us doubt whether it is not our manifest duty to endeavor at least to show our disapproval of the deed and our sympathy with those who have suffered by it."
When Roosevelt refers to "the theater of war in the Far East," what conflict is he most likely discussing?
The Cultural Revolution led by Mao Zedong
The Russo-Japanese War
The Japanese occupation of China
The Philippine Revolution
The Russo-Japanese War
In 1905, the same year of the Roosevelt Corollary, President Roosevelt offered to broker a peace between Japan and Russia, who were battling over territory in Manchuria. The Treaty of Portsmouth ended the Russo-Japanese war and won Roosevelt the Nobel Peace Prize.
Of the other options, only the Philippine Revolution occurred close to Roosevelt's presidency, but by 1905 the Philippines was no longer a theater of war, but a U.S. protectorate.
Example Question #2 : Global Participation 1901–1945
“History and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government.... Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other. . . . The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is in extending our commercial relations to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns.”
- George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796
Most historians would argue that the recommendations of Washington’s address ceased to have a significant influence on United States foreign policy as a result of ___________________.
The refusal of the United States to join the League of Nations in 1919
The Monroe Doctrine
United States involvement in the World War II
Westward expansion in the 19th century
Support for Cuban revolutionaries in the Spanish-American War
United States involvement in the World War II
Until World War II, United States foreign policy was largely dominated by isolationism and a resistance to forming long-term alliances with other global powers. After the Second World War, the United States emerged as a major global power and employed a foreign policy that favored intervention in foreign affairs and conflicts much more frequently.
Example Question #1 : Global Participation 1901–1945
The League of Nations came into being after the end of World War I as a means to prevent future wars and to bring stability to a world in turmoil as a result of the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. World leaders, including American President Woodrow Wilson, recognized that to avoid war it would be necessary to create an international organization to maintain world peace and mediate disputes that may arise between nations. The League of Nations was opposed in the United States by many government leaders. America was experiencing a return to isolationism at this time and Article 10 became the stumbling block for approval of the League of Nations in America. The most well-known opponent was Henry Cabot Lodge. Article 10 of the League of Nations reads as follows:
“The Members of the League undertake to respect and preserve as against external aggression the territorial integrity and existing political independence of all Members of the League. In case of any such aggression or in case of any threat or danger of such aggression the Council shall advise upon the means by which this obligation shall be fulfilled.”
The Treaty of Versailles (June 1919), The League of Nations, Article 10.
What were the objections to the League of Nations by American leaders such as Henry Cabot Lodge?
It would lead to increased United States involvement in the German economy
It limited the power of the American government to determine its own affairs and was a form of an entangling alliance
It allowed the United States to freely trade with Germany
It broadly allowed any League member country to declare war and expect aid from other League members in fighting its war
It limited the Allied powers from collecting war debts from Germany
It limited the power of the American government to determine its own affairs and was a form of an entangling alliance
Henry Cabot Lodge and many other government and political leaders rejected the League of Nations because they felt it would result in the United States becoming involved in world affairs during unsettled and dangerous times with or without any threat to United States interests. They viewed it as a violation of the ideas of George Washington against entangling alliances. It was feared that the United States could be drawn into the governing and economic activities of world nations and possibly another war. The League of Nations did not have a military force and it had no means to organize one from its member nations. Britain and France were financially and militarily unable to provide assistance and Germany was banned from membership as a result of the Treaty of Versailles. Russia was banned from membership due to the development of communism in the country in 1917. Thus, there were fears that America would be the only nation to take action if needed.
Example Question #3 : Global Participation 1901–1945
The following is an excerpt from the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, delivered in 1905:
...In asserting the Monroe Doctrine, in taking such steps as we have taken in regard to Cuba, Venezuela, and Panama, and in endeavoring to circumscribe the theater of war in the Far East, and to secure the open door in China, we have acted in our own interest as well as in the interest of humanity at large... Ordinarily it is very much wiser and more useful for us to concern ourselves with striving for our own moral and material betterment here at home than to concern ourselves with trying to better the condition of things in other nations... Nevertheless there are occasional crimes committed on so vast a scale and of such peculiar horror as to make us doubt whether it is not our manifest duty to endeavor at least to show our disapproval of the deed and our sympathy with those who have suffered by it."
When mentioning "occasional crimes on so vast a scale," to what incident is Roosevelt most likely referring?
the extinction of the American buffalo
treatment of migrant workers in urban factories
a brutal battle in the Russo-Japanese War
the sinking of the USS Maine in 1898
the sinking of the USS Maine in 1898
Although the sinking of the Maine happened before Roosevelt took office, the subsequent U.S. invasion of Cuba was the beginning of American involvement in Latin America, a policy that the Roosevelt Corollary attempts to justify.
The other answers all reflect events that occurred during or just before Roosevelt's presidency, but are not the best selections because they are either unrelated to foreign policy, or unrelated to Latin America.
Example Question #4 : Global Participation 1901–1945
The following is an excerpt from the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, delivered in 1905:
"...In asserting the Monroe Doctrine, in taking such steps as we have taken in regard to Cuba, Venezuela, and Panama, and in endeavoring to circumscribe the theater of war in the Far East, and to secure the open door in China, we have acted in our own interest as well as in the interest of humanity at large... Ordinarily it is very much wiser and more useful for us to concern ourselves with striving for our own moral and material betterment here at home than to concern ourselves with trying to better the condition of things in other nations... Nevertheless there are occasional crimes committed on so vast a scale and of such peculiar horror as to make us doubt whether it is not our manifest duty to endeavor at least to show our disapproval of the deed and our sympathy with those who have suffered by it."
Which of the following best describes the relationship between the Roosevelt Corollary and the Good Neighbor policy, implemented by Franklin Roosevelt in 1933?
The Good Neighbor policy reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to providing foreign aid to Latin American nations.
The Good Neighbor policy rejected the precedent of armed intervention in Latin America that began under the Roosevelt Corollary.
The two policies are unrelated. The Roosevelt Corollary applied only to Latin America, while the Good Neighbor policy dealt with Europe.
The Good Neighbor policy promised additional U.S. intervention in Latin America.
The Good Neighbor policy rejected the precedent of armed intervention in Latin America that began under the Roosevelt Corollary.
After many US occupations of Latin American countries in the period 1901-1933, Franklin Roosevelt officially reversed the course of American foreign policy there, withdrawing troops from Haiti and Nicaragua and signing a treaty to annul the Platt Amendment over Cuba.
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