HY 102 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
perestroika - Answer- "economic restructuring;" allowed for some free market
influence; led to dissolution of the USSR and the Cold War
glasnost - Answer- "publicity" or "openness;" reforms instituted by Mikhail Gorbachev
that led to constructive openness and transparency in the Soviet Union. Criticism
arose and were very high by 1989. Glasnost is credited for the dissolution of the
USSR.
Mikhail Gorbachev - Answer- Maturing after the Stalinist era, Gorbachev's glasnost
and perestroika reformed Soviet politics and economics. He pursued a markedly less
confrontationist military policy than his predecessors. Ultimately, his actions led to
revolutionary movements throughout Eastern Europe.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) - Answer- Alliance of Western powers.
Followed policy of containment, shielding from the advance of the Iron Curtain.
Marshall Plan (1948-1952) - Answer- Billions of dollars in aid to Europe that allowed
the countries to rebuild. The goal was undoubtedly geopolitical: trying to contain
socialism and keep it out of the West. While assistance was offered to Eastern
European countries, it was refused. The aid that allowed Western Europe to develop
had an indelible impact on the character of human life and politics and also created a
market for American products.
Joseph Stalin (1878-1953) - Answer- Emerged from a power struggle with Leon
Trotsky when Lenin fell ill. Stalin wins out and focuses on building Communism up in
Russia by beginning a system of reform/collectivization. 10 million die as a result of
the ensuing famine. Stalin thrived on iconography and symbols that represented
himself and Russia's greatness.
Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) - Answer- Born in Austria, Hitler's bad childhood inflicted
severe developmental and psychological wounds on him. He was disgusted with
Slavic culture and drawn to extremism. We was a model soldier in WWI and
concerned that Germany's defeat was due entirely to the actions of Jews. He is put
in prison after the Beer Hall Putsch in which he and 3,000 soldiers march on Munich.
There, he writes Mein Kampf. When the Reichstag burns down, he makes himself
dictator.
Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) - Answer- With Italy in a state of disarray after WWI, a
political vacuum was created through which Mussolini was able to arise to power. An
able politician and passionate about power, he was first leftist and then moved to the
right, blaming liberalism for being weak and influencing military leaders. He leads a
fascist march on Rome in 1922 with 30,000 uniformed supporters and is granted the
power to construct a new government. He then promptly transforms the state into a
1-party dictatorship.
, Battle of Britain - Answer- an aerial battle fought in World War II in 1940 between the
German Luftwaffe (air force), which carried out extensive bombing in Britain, and the
British Royal Air Force, which offered successful resistance.
Yalta Conference - Answer- February, 1945 - Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin met at
Yalta to make final war plans, arrange the post-war fate of Germany, and discuss the
proposal for creation of the United Nations as a successor to the League of Nations.
They announced the decision to divide Germany into three post-war zones of
occupation, although a fourth zone was later created for France. Russia also agreed
to enter the war against Japan, in exchange for the Kuril Islands and half of the
Sakhalin Peninsula.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt - Answer- This Democrat was president from 1933 until
his death in 1945. He broke the unofficial tradition of serving no more than two terms
in office and oversaw both the New Deal and WWII. In so doing, he exercised
greater authority than perhaps any president before him, giving rise to a new
understanding of the role and responsibility of the president. Under his leadership,
the modern Democratic Party was formed, garnering support from labor unions,
blacks, urban workers, and farmers. He has been called the most popular president
in American history.
Munich Conference - Answer- 1938 conference at which European leaders
attempted to appease Hitler by turning over the Sudetenland to him in exchange for
promise that Germany would not expand Germany's territory any further.
Appeasement - Answer- satisfying reasonable demands of dissatisfied powers in an
effort to maintain peace and stability
United Nations - Answer- An international organization whose stated aims are to
facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic
development, social progress and human rights issues. It was founded in 1945 at the
signing of the United Nations Charter by 50 countries, replacing the League of
Nations, founded in 1919.
Atlantic Charter - Answer- 1941-Pledge signed by US president FDR and British
prime minister Winston Churchill not to acquire new territory as a result of WWII and
to work for peace after the war
Battle of Stalingrad - Answer- A 1942-1943 battle of World War II, in which German
forces were defeated in their attempt to capture the city of Stalingrad in the Soviet
Union thanks to harsh winter; turning point of war in Eastern Europe
Battle of Kursk - Answer- Largest tank battle in history between Germany and Russia
in July 5 1943. Represents clash between two industrial giants putting entire
production capabilities behind war effort.
D-Day - Answer- June 6, 1944 - Led by Eisenhower, over a million troops (the
largest invasion force in history) stormed the beaches at Normandy and began the
process of re-taking France. The turning point of World War II.
ANSWERS
perestroika - Answer- "economic restructuring;" allowed for some free market
influence; led to dissolution of the USSR and the Cold War
glasnost - Answer- "publicity" or "openness;" reforms instituted by Mikhail Gorbachev
that led to constructive openness and transparency in the Soviet Union. Criticism
arose and were very high by 1989. Glasnost is credited for the dissolution of the
USSR.
Mikhail Gorbachev - Answer- Maturing after the Stalinist era, Gorbachev's glasnost
and perestroika reformed Soviet politics and economics. He pursued a markedly less
confrontationist military policy than his predecessors. Ultimately, his actions led to
revolutionary movements throughout Eastern Europe.
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) - Answer- Alliance of Western powers.
Followed policy of containment, shielding from the advance of the Iron Curtain.
Marshall Plan (1948-1952) - Answer- Billions of dollars in aid to Europe that allowed
the countries to rebuild. The goal was undoubtedly geopolitical: trying to contain
socialism and keep it out of the West. While assistance was offered to Eastern
European countries, it was refused. The aid that allowed Western Europe to develop
had an indelible impact on the character of human life and politics and also created a
market for American products.
Joseph Stalin (1878-1953) - Answer- Emerged from a power struggle with Leon
Trotsky when Lenin fell ill. Stalin wins out and focuses on building Communism up in
Russia by beginning a system of reform/collectivization. 10 million die as a result of
the ensuing famine. Stalin thrived on iconography and symbols that represented
himself and Russia's greatness.
Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) - Answer- Born in Austria, Hitler's bad childhood inflicted
severe developmental and psychological wounds on him. He was disgusted with
Slavic culture and drawn to extremism. We was a model soldier in WWI and
concerned that Germany's defeat was due entirely to the actions of Jews. He is put
in prison after the Beer Hall Putsch in which he and 3,000 soldiers march on Munich.
There, he writes Mein Kampf. When the Reichstag burns down, he makes himself
dictator.
Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) - Answer- With Italy in a state of disarray after WWI, a
political vacuum was created through which Mussolini was able to arise to power. An
able politician and passionate about power, he was first leftist and then moved to the
right, blaming liberalism for being weak and influencing military leaders. He leads a
fascist march on Rome in 1922 with 30,000 uniformed supporters and is granted the
power to construct a new government. He then promptly transforms the state into a
1-party dictatorship.
, Battle of Britain - Answer- an aerial battle fought in World War II in 1940 between the
German Luftwaffe (air force), which carried out extensive bombing in Britain, and the
British Royal Air Force, which offered successful resistance.
Yalta Conference - Answer- February, 1945 - Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin met at
Yalta to make final war plans, arrange the post-war fate of Germany, and discuss the
proposal for creation of the United Nations as a successor to the League of Nations.
They announced the decision to divide Germany into three post-war zones of
occupation, although a fourth zone was later created for France. Russia also agreed
to enter the war against Japan, in exchange for the Kuril Islands and half of the
Sakhalin Peninsula.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt - Answer- This Democrat was president from 1933 until
his death in 1945. He broke the unofficial tradition of serving no more than two terms
in office and oversaw both the New Deal and WWII. In so doing, he exercised
greater authority than perhaps any president before him, giving rise to a new
understanding of the role and responsibility of the president. Under his leadership,
the modern Democratic Party was formed, garnering support from labor unions,
blacks, urban workers, and farmers. He has been called the most popular president
in American history.
Munich Conference - Answer- 1938 conference at which European leaders
attempted to appease Hitler by turning over the Sudetenland to him in exchange for
promise that Germany would not expand Germany's territory any further.
Appeasement - Answer- satisfying reasonable demands of dissatisfied powers in an
effort to maintain peace and stability
United Nations - Answer- An international organization whose stated aims are to
facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic
development, social progress and human rights issues. It was founded in 1945 at the
signing of the United Nations Charter by 50 countries, replacing the League of
Nations, founded in 1919.
Atlantic Charter - Answer- 1941-Pledge signed by US president FDR and British
prime minister Winston Churchill not to acquire new territory as a result of WWII and
to work for peace after the war
Battle of Stalingrad - Answer- A 1942-1943 battle of World War II, in which German
forces were defeated in their attempt to capture the city of Stalingrad in the Soviet
Union thanks to harsh winter; turning point of war in Eastern Europe
Battle of Kursk - Answer- Largest tank battle in history between Germany and Russia
in July 5 1943. Represents clash between two industrial giants putting entire
production capabilities behind war effort.
D-Day - Answer- June 6, 1944 - Led by Eisenhower, over a million troops (the
largest invasion force in history) stormed the beaches at Normandy and began the
process of re-taking France. The turning point of World War II.
