SAT II World History : Desert Storm and the Guf Wars

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Africa And Southwest Asia

Whose invasion of Kuwait lead to the outbreak of the first Gulf War?

Possible Answers:

Yasser Arafat

Saddam Hussein 

Benjamin Netanyahu 

Colonel Gaddafi 

George H. W. Bush 

Correct answer:

Saddam Hussein 

Explanation:

In 1990, tensions between Iraq and Kuwait had reached their highest point in history. The Iraqi government lamented the loss of revenue to Iraq as a result of the extensive oil reserves in Kuwait. So, Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi government invaded and occupied the country of Kuwait in what is known as the Iraq-Kuwait War. This led to widespread condemnation from the international community and, eventually, to a United States-led invasion and liberation of Kuwait in what is now known as the first Gulf War.

Example Question #5 : Africa And Southwest Asia

The Gulf War was fought during the presidency of __________

Possible Answers:

Bill Clinton

George Bush Sr.

George W. Bush

Ronald Reagan

Gerald Ford

Correct answer:

George Bush Sr.

Explanation:

The Gulf War between an international coalition led by the United States and Iraq was fought in 1990 and 1991. The American President at the time was George Bush Sr. 

Example Question #6 : Africa And Southwest Asia

The publicly stated goal of Operation Desert Shield was __________.

Possible Answers:

to liberate Iran from Iraqi occupation

to protect Saudi Arabia from Iraqi invasion

to protect Israel from combined Iraqi-Iranian invasion

to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation

to assassinate Saddam Hussein and weaken Iraqi resolve

Correct answer:

to protect Saudi Arabia from Iraqi invasion

Explanation:

Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm were the two major "operations" undertaken by the coalition forces against Iraq during the Gulf War. Operation Desert Storm was intended to retake Kuwait and remove Iraqi forces from the country, and Operation Desert Shield was meant to protect Saudi Arabia from Iraqi invasion.

Example Question #4 : Africa And Southwest Asia

The Iraqi invasion of __________ led to the outbreak of the Gulf War.

Possible Answers:

Kuwait

Israel

Bahrain

Oman

Iran

Correct answer:

Kuwait

Explanation:

The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait took place over two days in August of 1990. The Iraqi army quickly overran their counterparts in Kuwait and the government of Saddam Hussein announced that Kuwait had been annexed by Iraq. The aggressive action was universally condemned by the world powers, including Russia, France, China, and India, and shortly thereafter, the United States issued an ultimatum that Iraq withdraw from Kuwait or face war. The Gulf War between the United States-led coalition and Iraq followed.

Example Question #1 : Desert Storm And The Guf Wars

The Shia Ayotollah Khomeni and the Sunni Saddam Hussein fought against one another in __________.

Possible Answers:

the Six-Day War

the Iraq-Afghanistan War

the Second Gulf War

the Iran-Iraq War

the Yom Kippur War 

Correct answer:

the Iran-Iraq War

Explanation:

The Iran-Iraq War was fought between the Shia government of Iran, led by Ayotollah Khomeni and the Sunni government of Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein. The war was essentially fought over Iraqi government fears that the Shia popular rebellion of Iran would spread to Iraq. 

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