Chapter 19 - America in Recent Times (SSUSH 23)

SSUSH 23b - Which statement BEST describes how President Reagan believed tax cuts and deregulation would help the US economy?

• These steps would enable those from less privileged backgrounds to compete with others

• These steps would ensure greater competition by small businesses against larger ones

• These steps would protect workers from abuses by their employers

• These steps would give added incentive to individual enterprise

Answer explanation

President Reagan believed that tax cuts and deregulation would stimulate individual enterprise by providing more financial freedom and incentives for people to start and grow their businesses, thus boosting the economy.

SSUSH 23a - Which statement BEST describes how President Ronald Reagan's leadership helped to bring the Cold War to an end?

• US Military intervention in Eastern Europe led to a Soviet withdrawal

• US troop reductions led Soviet leaders to reduce their own troop levels

• US military strength encouraged Soviet leaders to pursue domestic reform and compromise in foreign policy

• His actions frightened Soviet leaders by threatening nuclear war

Answer explanation

US military strength under Reagan pressured Soviet leaders to implement domestic reforms and adopt a more conciliatory foreign policy, contributing significantly to the Cold War's end.

SSUSH 23a: Use the paragraph to answer the question.

Caption: New York City, September 11, 2001

What was the direct case of this event?

• Russian leaders decided to take revenge on the United States for their loss of the Cold War

• President Saddam Hussein of Iraq launched the attack as a warning to American leaders

• Islamic Fundamentalist terrorist organized the attack because of their hatred of America

• US airplanes had more accidents after federal deregulation of the aviation industry

Answer explanation

The correct answer is that Islamic Fundamentalist terrorists organized the attack due to their hatred of America. This reflects the motivations behind the September 11 attacks, which were driven by extremist ideologies.

SSUSH23b: Use the excerpt to answer the question.

Which problem was President Reagan addressing in this speech?

• Stagflation and excessive government regulation

• Rising international competition and collapse of the banking system

• Deflation and widespread unemployment

• State resistance to federal civil rights programs

Answer explanation

In his speech, President Reagan addressed stagflation, a combination of stagnant economic growth and inflation, along with excessive government regulation that hindered economic recovery.

SSUSH23b: Use the list to answer the question.

Which two Presidents MOST followed the policies on this list?

• Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton

• Bill Clinton and Barack Obama

• Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama

• Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush

Answer explanation

Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush implemented similar economic and foreign policies, focusing on tax cuts and a strong military stance, aligning closely with the policies on the list. The other options do not match as closely.

SSUSH23a: Use the excerpt to answer the questions.

Which event led to this speech?

• attacks on US Embassies in East Africa

• fall of South Vietnam to Vietnamese Communists

• attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon

• refusal of Saddam Hussein to hand over "weapons of mass destruction"

Answer explanation

The speech was a response to the attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11, 2001, which marked a significant moment in U.S. history, leading to heightened security and military actions.

SSUSH23a: Use the excerpt to answer the questions.

Which step did President Bush take shortly after giving this speech?

• a raid in Pakistan to capture Osama Bin Laden

• the invasion of Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein

• the invasion of Afghanistan to remove the Taliban

• landing of forces in Saudi Arabia to occupy Kuwait

Answer explanation

Shortly after the speech, President Bush initiated the invasion of Afghanistan to remove the Taliban, who were harboring Osama Bin Laden, marking a direct response to the 9/11 attacks.

SSUSH23a: Examine the excerpt to answer the question.

Which "high crimes and misdemeanors" did this document claim the President committed?

• receiving illegal bribes when he was Governor of Arkansas

• lying under oath in a legal proceeding and obstructing an investigation

• secretly trading arms for hostages in violation of a Congressional prohibition

• not taking sufficient measures to protect the US Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania

Answer explanation

The document claims the President committed 'lying under oath in a legal proceeding and obstructing an investigation,' which are considered high crimes and misdemeanors under the Constitution.

SSUSH23b: Use the diagram to answer the question.

Which word or phrase BEST completes the diagram?

• Deficit spending

• Reagonomics

• Socialism

• "New Democrat" Economic Policies

Answer explanation

Reagonomics, associated with President Reagan's economic policies, emphasizes tax cuts and deregulation, making it the best fit for the diagram. The other options do not align with the principles of Reagonomics.

SSUSH23a: Use the list to answer the question.

What inference can be made from this list?

• Communist governments had served to prevent the spread of terrorism

• Terrorism has become a growing threat to US National Security

• Terrorists are not powerful enough to inflict damage on leading nation-states

• Terrorists always have specific demands that accompany their acts of terror

Answer explanation

The list suggests that terrorism poses a significant risk to US National Security, indicating its growing threat. This aligns with the correct answer, as it reflects the increasing concern over terrorism's impact.