SAT II US History : Facts and Details in U.S. Social History from 1899 to the Present

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II US History

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Facts And Details In U.S. Social History From 1899 To The Present

What was the period of time, particularly in the mid-late 1920’s when African American thought and culture was redefined?

Possible Answers:

African Awakening 

Segregation

The Jazz Movement

Harlem Renaissance 

Correct answer:

Harlem Renaissance 

Explanation:

The Harlem Renaissance was a period of time where African-American culture was redefined. Many great African-American artists, musicians, and thinkers came out of this movement to accept the different, unique, culture of African Americans.

Example Question #35 : U.S. Social History From 1899 To The Present

What did Langston Hughes write about primarily?

Possible Answers:

Social justice

The famous people of Harlem

Lower-Class life

Parties and big events

Correct answer:

Lower-Class life

Explanation:

Hughes focused most of his work on the everyday lives of the lower-class working people of New York. He wanted to highlight the struggle most people in the city went through to make ends meet. 

Example Question #36 : U.S. Social History From 1899 To The Present

Archibald Motley and Aaron Douglas were famous figures during the Harlem Renaissance. What was their profession?

Possible Answers:

Community leader

Painter

Writer

Poet

Correct answer:

Painter

Explanation:

These famous men were painters. They rose to prominence by painting events and buildings of the time. Douglas painted many famous landmarks of New York, and Motley painted many famous events and streets of the time.

Example Question #31 : U.S. Social History From 1899 To The Present

Who was the man that photographed famous people and places of the Harlem Renaissance?

Possible Answers:

Dizzy Gillespie

Louis Armstrong

James Van Der Zee

Countee Cullen

Correct answer:

James Van Der Zee

Explanation:

Var Der Zee was, arguably, the most famous photographer of the Renaissance. The other people listed here were either authors or musicians. Var Der Zee photographed things and people to show themes of pride, dignity, and idealism.

Example Question #32 : Facts And Details In U.S. Social History From 1899 To The Present

Which of the following was not a famous musician of the Harlem Renaissance?

Possible Answers:

Prentiss Taylor

Louis Armstrong

Duke Ellington

Ella Fitzgerald

Correct answer:

Prentiss Taylor

Explanation:

Taylor was a visual artist rather than a musical artist. One thing that the Harlem Renaissance had in spades was talented musicians. Many of these artists are still well known and beloved to this day. Not just in African-American culture, but in national and international circles as well.

Example Question #33 : Facts And Details In U.S. Social History From 1899 To The Present

Which of the following was not a theme of the Harlem Renaissance? 

Possible Answers:

New Optimism

A new African-American identity

Racial pride

Separation from White culture 

Correct answer:

Separation from White culture 

Explanation:

While African-Americans wanted to differentiate their own culture from the majority white culture, they did not attempt to separate themselves. They embraced the predominantly white culture of these northern cities, but attempted to add a bit of their own culture to the culture of these cities.

Example Question #34 : Facts And Details In U.S. Social History From 1899 To The Present

To what event does the term "Black Tuesday" refer?

Possible Answers:

The day after Pearl Harbor was bombed by Japan

The first time retailers offered deep post-Thanksgiving discounts in an effort to increase spending following the Great Depression

The day the stock market crashed setting off the Great Depression

The day the U.S. entered World War I

Correct answer:

The day the stock market crashed setting off the Great Depression

Explanation:

October 29th, 1929 over  was lost in panicked trades that saw the stock market crash, sending the nation into an economic tailspin. 

Example Question #41 : U.S. Social History From 1899 To The Present

During the Civil Rights movement, many people conducted sit-ins at lunch counters and other types of protests. These actions are examples of ______________.

Possible Answers:

acts of violence by the Black Panthers and other groups 

violent acts conducted by whites who were for the continuation of segregation 

None of these

Martin Luther King's way to support affirmative action 

nonviolent attempts to show opposition to acts of segregation 

Correct answer:

nonviolent attempts to show opposition to acts of segregation 

Explanation:

Sit-ins at lunch counters, on buses, and other places were ways for supporters of integration to demonstrate non-violently their opposition to blacks and whites having to sit separately in restaurants, lunch counters, and buses. While Martin Luther King supported such nonviolent forms of protest, he did not specifically support affirmative action, as he was focused on securing more basic rights for the racially and socially pressed in American society.

Example Question #855 : Sat Subject Test In United States History

What part did Langston Hughes play in the Harlem Renaissance?

Possible Answers:

Community leader

Political activist

Artist

Poet

Correct answer:

Poet

Explanation:

Hughes was a very famous poet of this period. He was one of the first African-Americans to support himself as a writer. He wrote stories and poetry about the lives of the people of Harlem and New York. 

Example Question #36 : Facts And Details In U.S. Social History From 1899 To The Present

Before a welfare system was in effect, many people in the Great Depression relied on government help to get by. What was this called?

Possible Answers:

Direct Relief

Handouts

Indirect Relief

Charity

Correct answer:

Direct Relief

Explanation:

Direct Relief is when the government gives money, or something of value, directly to a citizen. While relief can be given to businesses or local governments, these require a middle-man to give relief to the person thus making the relief indirect.

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