SAT II World History : Afghanistan and Iraq
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Africa And Southwest Asia
The American-led invasion of Afghanistan took place in the immediate aftermath of __________.
the fall of the Soviet Union
the 9/11 terrorist attacks
the discovery of nuclear weapons owned by the Taliban
the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
the assassination of the Afghanistani Prime Minister by the Taliban
the 9/11 terrorist attacks
The United States-led coalition invasion of Afghanistan began in October 2001 and only ended recently in December of 2014. The war began in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on American soil less than a month earlier. The publicly stated goals of the American forces were to defeat and dismantle Al-Qaeda and to remove the Taliban government from power.
Example Question #183 : 1900 C.E. To Present
During the Soviet war in Afghanistan, the United States __________.
provided military support to the Afghanistan regular army
remained neutral, not wanting to further antagonize the Soviet Union
provided military and financial aid to the Soviet Union to help quell the threat of Islamic fundamentalism
provided military and financial assistance to the guerrilla fighters
sent troops to fight alongside the guerilla forces of the Afghanistani rebels
provided military and financial assistance to the guerrilla fighters
For much of the Cold War, Afghanistan had been under the Soviet sphere of influence. In the 1980s, the growing strength of the rebel Mujahideen led to direct Soviet invasion and a decade-long conflict. At this time, the United States deemed Islamic fundamentalism to be a much less serious threat than the spread of communism and so provided financial and military assistance to the guerrilla forces fighting against the Soviet Union.
Example Question #2 : Africa And Southwest Asia
Which three countries were identified as the "Axis of Evil" by George W. Bush in 2002?
Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Russia
Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq
Iran, Iraq, and North Korea
Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan
Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Afghanistan
Iran, Iraq, and North Korea
The "Axis of Evil" was a term created by the government of George W. Bush to try and provide support for American military involvement in Iraq and other countries. Iran, Iraq, and North Korea were identified as "evil" countries that sponsored terrorism and were trying to pursue the ownership of nuclear weapons.
Example Question #3 : Africa And Southwest Asia
During and after the First Gulf War, which Iraqi people were brutally suppressed by the regime of Saddam Hussein?
Sunni
Tamils
Kurds
Bedouin
Baathists
Kurds
During and immediately after the Gulf War, the Kurdish people (along with a loose coalition of other groups) rebelled against the forces of Saddam Hussein and the Sunni-led government. Although they achieved many initial victories, the government reprisal was swift and brutal. Chemical weapons were used, and mass genocide was encouraged. Almost two million Kurds fled Iraq during this time period.
Example Question #186 : 1900 C.E. To Present
In the 1980s, the United States supplied weapons and munitions to the Afghanistani Mujahadeen because __________.
Afghanistan and the United States were allied against Pakistan and Iraq
the guerrilla fighters were resisting Chinese occupation
the United States wanted to reverse negative public opinion of the United States among the Afghanistani people
the guerrilla fighters were resisting Soviet occupation
the guerrilla fighters were resisting Iranian occupation
the guerrilla fighters were resisting Soviet occupation
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was one of the last conflicts of the Cold War. The United States funded the Mujahadeen resistance fighters who were resisting Soviet occupation. This decision would have long-lasting consequences for the United States, as the weapons were used against the country in later conflicts.
Example Question #1 : Ethnic Identities
To which of these Islamic religions or ethnic groups did Saddam Hussein belong?
Kurd
Shia
Wahhabi
Salafist
Sunni
Sunni
Saddam Hussein was a Sunni Muslim in a country (Iraq) where the population distribution of Shia and Sunni Muslims is roughly even. Sectarian differences between Sunni and Shia have been the cause of much conflict in the Middle East for hundreds of years and are especially relevant today.
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