SAT II World History : SAT Subject Test in World History

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : The Americas In World War Ii

The American-led D-Day invasion of mainland Europe was organized primarily by which of the following individuals?

Possible Answers:

George Patton

Dwight Eisenhower

Douglas MacArthur

Chester Nimitz

Harry Truman

Correct answer:

Dwight Eisenhower

Explanation:

The D-Day invasion was designed to retake much of Northern France from German forces in 1944. The intention was to get Allied forces into enemy territory and begin the push towards Berlin. It was led by and organized by American General (and future President) Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Example Question #4 : The Americas In World War Ii

Which of these statements about the American War Production Board is true? 

Possible Answers:

It caused massive unemployment. 

The resolution to institute it was blocked by Congress, but overturned by a Presidential veto. 

It allowed America to produce more munitions than all of the axis powers combined. 

It led to a rapid drop in the standard of living in the United States. 

The resolution to institute it was blocked by Congress.

Correct answer:

It allowed America to produce more munitions than all of the axis powers combined. 

Explanation:

The War Production Board was instituted in 1942. Many of the Depression Era government programs were replaced or altered to redirect the focus towards producing weapons and supplies. It led to almost universal employment in the United States as the whole nation was involved in the war effort. It also allowed the United States to produce almost 40% of the entire world's supply of munitions, which outpaced the production of the axis powers (30% of the world collectively). 

Example Question #5 : The Americas In World War Ii

How were the rights of unions and workers negatively impacted by World War Two? 

Possible Answers:

Unions were legally dissolved by Congress who felt that they were detrimental to national morale. 

None of these answers is correct. 

Mass unemployment led to lowering of wages and a reduction in benefits. 

Immigrants and refugees from Europe and Asia took many of the jobs being done by working class Americans. 

The right to strike was limited in industries considered vital to the war effort. 

Correct answer:

The right to strike was limited in industries considered vital to the war effort. 

Explanation:

In general, workers in the United States benefitted from World War Two. Employment was almost universal and wages and benefits were higher, not to mention the rapid growth of the middle class that took place in the decades after the war. But, one notable negative resulted from the emphasis on the war effort. The government passed a bill to block strikes in essential industries. So those workers who were mining coal or drilling for oil etc. were prevented from striking by force and law. 

Example Question #674 : Sat Subject Test In World History

Rosie the Riveter represented __________.

Possible Answers:

mothers who raised patriotic sons to fight in World War Two

U.S. women working in the factories during the Second World War

nurses who cared for the wounded on the battlefield during the Second World War 

mothers who had lost their sons fighting in World War Two

None of these answers; Rosie the Riveter was a troop entertainer in the European theatre.

Correct answer:

U.S. women working in the factories during the Second World War

Explanation:

Rosie the Riveter was an American propaganda figure and symbol of the contribution of women to the war effort during World War Two. She is a cultural icon meant to stand for the millions of women who worked in munitions factories and worked other jobs traditionally held by men. 

Example Question #6 : The Americas In World War Ii

During the Second World War, Japanese residents of the United States were __________.

Possible Answers:

imprisoned in camps in American holdings in the Pacific

summarily executed 

forcefully deported 

allowed to continue their lives as normal 

forcibly held in internment camps

Correct answer:

forcibly held in internment camps

Explanation:

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States promptly declared war on Japan, and soon after on the other Axis powers. Japanese residents of the United States were viewed with immense distrust and often outright hostility. The government instituted a policy of forced internment in internment camps.

Example Question #7 : The Americas In World War Ii

Roosevelt's Quarantine Speech, delivered in 1937, argued for __________.

Possible Answers:

an international detachment from aggressor nations

an end to America's policy of isolationism and neutrality 

a renewed emphasis on America's policy of isolationism and neutrality 

the internment of Japanese people living in the United States 

the institution of a peacetime draft

Correct answer:

an international detachment from aggressor nations

Explanation:

Roosevelt delivered his famous Quarantine Speech in 1937, amidst a climate of isolationism and neutrality in the United States. The majority of Americans did not want to get involved in the budding conflicts of Europe and Asia, but Roosevelt felt differently. In his Quarantine Speech, he argues that the aggressor nations (referring to Italy, Germany, and Japan) should be cut off from international trade and support.

Example Question #1 : The Cold War In The Americas

The Truman Doctrine was designed to __________.

Possible Answers:

improve funding for the American space program

combat the spread of communism

improve funding for the Manhattan Project

ban all communist activity in the United States

ensure Truman's reelection

Correct answer:

combat the spread of communism

Explanation:

The Truman Doctrine formed part of United States' foreign policy during the Cold War. It stated that the United States had a duty to provide economic or military support to any country threatened by the spread of communism or the expansion of the Soviet Union.

Example Question #2 : The Cold War In The Americas

The Nicaraguan rebels known as the Contras were sponsored by which American president?

Possible Answers:

George W. Bush

Richard Nixon

John F. Kennedy

Ronald Reagan

Bill Clinton

Correct answer:

Ronald Reagan

Explanation:

The Nicaraguan Contras were ostensibly democractic revolutionaries; however, many of the groups committed atrocities. This made it controversial when it was revealed that Ronald Reagan's American government was providing aid to the rebels. Congress banned such aid, but Reagan's adminstration continued to provide aid secretly, culminating in the Iran-Contra Affair.

Example Question #3 : The Cold War In The Americas

"Now in speaking like this, it doesn't mean that we're anti-white, but it does mean we're anti-exploitation, we're anti-degradation, we're anti-oppression. And if the white man doesn't want us to be anti-him, let him stop oppressing and exploiting and degrading us."

"The Ballot or the Bullet" was a speech delivered by what famous civil rights advocate?

Possible Answers:

Coretta Scott King

Reverend Jesse Jackson

John Lewis

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

Malcolm X

Correct answer:

Malcolm X

Explanation:

The speech, "The Ballot or the Bullet" was delivered by Malcolm X in 1964. The intention of the speech was to separate himself from the Nation of Islam as well as encourage African-Americans to defend their rights to vote.

Example Question #3 : The Cold War In The Americas

The American opposite to the Brezhnev Doctrine is __________.

Possible Answers:

the Domino Theory

The New Deal

The Fair Deal

Manifest Destiny

Mutually Assured Destruction

Correct answer:

the Domino Theory

Explanation:

The Brezhnev Doctrine states that all Communist states, in particular the Soviet Union, have a duty to aid the spread and ensure the continuation of Communism around the world. In this sense it can be seen as the opposite of the American foreign policy The Domino Theory. The Domino Theory states that if one country falls under the influence of Communism than the neighboring countries will likely fall also. Therefore, the American people must be willing to fight Communism wherever it appears.

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