GED Social Studies : Effects of World War II
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GED Social Studies
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Effects Of World War Ii
Decolonization primarily took place __________
during the Great Depression.
during the later years of the Cold War.
in the aftermath of World War One.
in the aftermath of World War Two.
during the Civil Rights Era.
in the aftermath of World War Two.
Decolonization, in which the majority of European powers lost most of their foreign colonies, either willingly or unwillingly, took place in the years immediately after World War Two. Primarily this took place from 1946 to 1966. It was a time period that witnessed Britain and France in particular, but all the European powers, abandoning their massive imperial landholdings and returning to small nation-states. The primary motivating factors were the declining wealth and influence of European powers following the horrors of World War Two; the increased importance placed on individual and national rights in the second half of the twentieth century; and pressure from the United Nations and the United States.
Example Question #2 : Effects Of World War Ii
The GI Bill was designed to __________
increase the number of Americans who could be drafted during World War One.
help returning American veterans from World War Two reintegrate into society by providing access to higher education.
increase the number of Americans who could be drafted during World War Two.
improve the conditions of factory workers who were providing ammunition and vehicles for the American war effort during World War Two.
improve the medical conditions and healthcare of American troops during World War Two.
help returning American veterans from World War Two reintegrate into society by providing access to higher education.
The GI Bill was issued in 1944 as part of an extended program to help returning World War Two veterans reintegrate into American society. It provided, among other things, housing loans and grants for access to higher education. It is considered a very important factor in the creation of the massive American middle class.
Example Question #3 : Effects Of World War Ii
The language from the following Act is characteristic of which view during WWII?
"Providing for the prohibition of the export of arms, ammunition, and implements of war to belligerent countries; the prohibition of the transportation of arms, ammunition, and implements of war by vessels of the United States for the use of belligerent states; for the registration and licensing of persons engaged in the business of manufacturing, exporting, or importing arms, ammunition, or implements of war; and restricting travel by American citizens on belligerent ships during war."
"War Hawkishness"
"Peace at All Costs"
"Belligerence"
"Isolationism"
"Isolationism"
The correct answer is "Isolationism." Put simply, the US was rather gun shy after the first world war. The unequaled level of destruction and loss of life of the first world war really put war into perspective, for both citizens and government, and led to a brief period of isolationism. In addition to the fact that WWI had just ended, the fact that the beginning of the second world war took place entirely in Europe (exactly like WWI) led isolationists to believe that intervention was the worst possible course of action. Thus, isolationists counseled avoidance of conflict at all cost.
This is reflected in the preface of the "Neutrality Act" of 1935 (reproduced above). Note that the Act utterly and totally prohibits the export of arms to any belligerent, regardless of whether they were friend or foe.
Example Question #4 : Effects Of World War Ii
The United States was the first country to use a(n) __________________ in warfare; the US used this weapon against the Japanese Empire in World War II.
Panzer Tank
None of these
Atomic Bomb
Carpet Bombing
Atomic Bomb
"Atomic Bomb" is the correct answer. The United States became the first country to employ an atomic bomb in warfare, to great--if very controversial--success. The bombs dropped by the Enola Gay (the plane carrying both bombs) cause unprecedented destruction and eventually led to the surrender of the Japanese Empire, and the complete end of WWII.
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