Deck 33: The Troubled Present

Question 1

The history of the European Union has included

A)the Maastricht Treaty that changed the name of the European Community to the European Union in 1993.
B)plans for a much closer economic and political ties as reflected in the euro, adopted as the common currency of the EU in 1999.
C)expansion to 28 members in 2013, with several other candidates awaiting entry.
D)a combined population of half a billion and the world's largest trading bloc.
E)all of the above

Answer 1

all of the above

Question 2

Under Yeltsin, the so-called "oligarchs"

A)opposed Yeltsin's bid for reelection in 1996.
B)were financially disadvantaged by Yeltsin's policy of shock therapy.
C)were a force for democratic change.
D)were ruined, left the country, or withdrew from politics after the collapse of the currency in 1998.
E)favored a return of traditional Communist economic policies.

Answer 2

were ruined, left the country, or withdrew from politics after the collapse of the currency in 1998.

Question 3

According to the Dayton Agreement

A)Western nations should band together to oppose the power of OPEC.
B)the Serb minority was resettled in Croatia.
C)Serbia needed to abandon Kosovo.
D)Muslims, Croats, and Serbs should all be represented equally in the Bosnian government.
E)decisions were made regarding the destruction of middle-range nuclear missiles.

Answer 3

Muslims, Croats, and Serbs should all be represented equally in the Bosnian government.

Question 4

Surveying the former Eastern Bloc countries, all the following conclusions can be drawn EXCEPT

A)Western aid assisted in improving the economic prospects of Eastern Europe after 1995.
B)the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary are rapidly and successfully integrating into the Western European economy and political culture.
C)Yugoslavia disintegrated into its constituent republics and the worst violence in Europe since World War II.
D)people were well prepared for a market economy and enthusiastic about capitalism.
E)nearly two dozen former Soviet bloc nations have entered the European Union beginning in 1999.

Question 5

All of these is true about the fighting between Russia and Chechnya EXCEPT

A)Chechnya is a small Islamic enclave in the Caucasus mountains.
B)Putin blamed Chechen rebels for Terrorists attacks in Russia.
C)Yeltsin successfully defeated the Chechen rebels in 1996.
D)Chechen rebels often used guerilla methods.
E)Putin was determined to crush the rebellion.

Question 6

Violence between Serbs and Albanians that caused a massive humanitarian crisis erupted in 1998 in

A)Bosnia.
B)Croatia.
C)Kosovo.
D)Serbia.
E)Slovenia.

Question 7

According to the text, the world since fall of Communism exhibited which of these characteristics?

A)The end of the Cold War ended the polarization of world politics.
B)A new, stable multinational world emerged.
C)Western ideals have increasingly fallen out of favor.
D)An element of certainty has replaced the old tensions caused by the clash of the superpowers.
E)all of the above

Question 8

Euroskeptics are those who

A)question the legitimacy of the Western tradition.
B)oppose European integration on nationalistic and pragmatic grounds.
C)believe that the mantle of global leadership has passed firmly to the United States.
D)want to see European nations withdraw from the UN.
E)desire the end of European cultural domination in former colonial territories.

Question 9

The conservatism of Pope John Paul II was evident in all of the following EXCEPT

A)his condemnation of premarital sex.
B)his opposition of the ordination of women.
C)his policies toward non-Catholic Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and Jews.
D)his prohibition of condoms, even in the wake of the AIDS crisis.
E)his stance on abortion.

Question 10

When Yeltsin's government referred to shock therapy , it meant

A)new educational policies to institute a Western-style curriculum.
B)a sudden switch from a state-run economy to a free-market economy.
C)condemnation of earlier practices of sending dissidents to mental hospitals.
D)making Russia acknowledge the cruelty that existed under the Communist system.
E)the psychological effect of losing the Soviet empire.

Question 11

Who was blamed for the terrorist attack in October 2002 on a theater in Moscow?

A)Al Qaeda
B)Chechen rebels
C)hardline Communists
D)former KGB police officers
E)pro-democracy forces

Question 12

Putin's reign of power has been marked by

A)his attempts to create a strong centralized state.
B)an increase of political parties.
C)a closing of the gap between the West and Russia.
D)an absence of terrorists attacks.
E)all of the above

Question 13

Putin has done all of the following EXCEPT

A)deliberately stirring nationalist sentiments among the Russian people.
B)pressurizing Ukraine to seek membership in the European Union in 2013.
C)invading neighboring Georgia in 2008.
D)curtailing natural gas deliveries to Europe.
E)purposely encouraging anti-American attitudes.

Question 14

The ethnic conflict in post-Communist Bosnia included all the following EXCEPT

A)the prolonged bombardment of the capital, Sarajevo.
B)a struggle among the Serbs, Muslims, and Croats.
C)massive ethnic cleansing, especially of Muslims.
D)language and customs issues; religion had no significance.
E)NATO intervention to stop the fighting.

Question 15

Following his loss of office in 2000, Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic

A)disappeared.
B)lived quietly on his large estate outside Belgrade.
C)was tried and executed by the Yugoslav government for treason.
D)was sent to the UN International Criminal Tribunal for trial for crimes against humanity.
E)remained free and continued to defend Serbia's territorial integrity.

Question 16

The chief beneficiaries of shock therapy in Russia, at least in the short term, were

A)employees of privatized firms.
B)pensioners.
C)former Soviet managers.
D)foreign investors.
E)the state.

Question 17

According to the text, the liberalization of the economy under Yeltsin resulted in all the following EXCEPT

A)public confusion over bewildering changes.
B)loss of productivity on a national scale.
C)a flood of foreign capital.
D)a sharp drop in the standard of living.
E)the gathering of national wealth by a small number of people.

Question 18

The text identifies which of the following as Boris Yeltsin's greatest accomplishment?

A)shielding the Russian Federation from further disintegration
B)securing Western-style democracy in Russia
C)retiring voluntarily
D)making the restoration of Communism in Russia impossible
E)the creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States

Question 19

Under Vladimir Putin, the Russian government

A)completed a government takeover in the energy sector of the economy.
B)limited freedom of expression.
C)became increasingly authoritarian and emphasized law and order.
D)has sought to restore the power and influence Russia lost after the breakup of the Soviet Union.
E)all of the above

Question 20

All of these are true of Kosovo EXCEPT

A)the region possesses holy Orthodox shrines.
B)it is the site of a famous battle between Ottoman Turks and Serbs.
C)many Serbs consider it to be the birthplace of Serbian nationalism.
D)is predominantly Serbian ethnically.
E)NATO forces were sent there to prevent further ethnic strife.

Question 21

Since the end of World War II, anti-Semitic incidents

A)have disappeared.
B)initially decreased, but have recently increased.
C)are only found in former Communist countries.
D)remained a traditional element of mainstream politics.
E)none of the above

Question 22

The following terrorist attacks are normally associated with Al Qaeda EXCEPT

A)the bombing of the  Cole.
B)bombing of the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
C)the World Trade Center attack.
D)the British transit bombings.
E)the Boston Marathon bombing.

Question 23

Which of the following does NOT apply to contemporary Germany?

A)lingering problems connected with reunification
B)a marginalized underclass of Turkish immigrant and their descendents
C)reestablishment of Berlin as the nation's capital
D)a problem with right-wing violence, particularly skinheads
E)a higher unemployment rate than the rest of the Eurozone

Question 24

Which European country witnessed massive rioting in the fall of 2005?

A)France
B)Belgium
C)Italy
D)Germany
E)Portugal

Question 25

President Barack Obama pledged that American troops would be out of Afghanistan by the end of

A)2008.
B)2010.
C)2011.
D)2013.
E)2014.

Question 26

What prompted the American invasion of Afghanistan?

A)a fear that the Taliban were on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon
B)a fear that the Taliban possessed a stock of chemical weapons
C)the Taliban's refusal to surrender Osama bin Laden
D)to prevent the Afghans from invading Pakistan
E)the need to secure oil supplies

Question 27

Problems facing the European Union include

A)the general failure of the euro.
B)a continuing separation of Europe along a line defined by the former iron curtain.
C)the inability of citizens of member states to travel and work in other members states.
D)defining Europeanization as separate from "American imperialism."
E)a shrinking number of member states.

Question 28

The themes that have shaped politicians of both the Right and the Left in France include ​

A)a belief in French exceptionalism.
B)the desire for economic equality and equity.
C)a dedication to the ideal of "taking the time to live."
D)the understanding that France is capable of revering its roots while also practicing adaptation.
E)​all of the above

Question 29

Socialist François Hollande

A)was politically experienced prior to his election as president in May 2012.
B)began to advocate spending cuts, increased worker productivity, and competitiveness by mid-2013.
C)has enjoyed high approval ratings for his policies.
D)successfully reduced unemployment to new lows.
E)has been associated with ending the French malaise of Sarkozy's term as president.

Question 30

Which of the following applies to contemporary France?

A)a tradition of a strong, centralized state with generous welfare benefits
B)close cooperation with Germany aimed at strengthening the European Union
C)an active role in world affairs
D)cultural diversity as a goal
E)explosive tensions with the French Muslim minority

Question 31

According to the United Nations Secretary-General's report of 2006, what are some of the problem faced by women in the world?

A)femicide
B)human trafficking for sexual exploitation
C)cultural norms that entrench inequality
D)laws that institutionalize gender inequalities
E)all of the above

Question 32

Which of the following contributed the biggest portion of money used in bailouts by the Economic and Monetary Union  in the wake of the global financial meltdown of 2008?

A)France
B)Germany
C)Britain
D)Greece
E)Spain

Question 33

The United Kingdom's Tony Blair suffered the greatest loss to his popularity because

A)his initiative for a Northern Ireland Assembly failed.
B)he supported America's war in Iraq which was highly unpopular in the UK.
C)of continuing tensions with immigrant communities that choose not to integrate into British society.
D)he considered adopting the euro and eliminating the pound.
E)public services continued to be underfunded.

Question 34

Contemporary anti-Semitism

A)draws on a new ideology divorced from traditional European anti-Semitism.
B)purposely rejects the foundations of Nazi racial hatred.
C)generally avoids the use of media and the Internet for fear of prosecution.
D)has placed the blame for various historical cataclysms, including the two world wars, on the Jews.
E)all of the above

Question 35

The new democratically elected government in Afghanistan in confronted by

A)local warlords.
B)increased opium production.
C)a resurgence of Taliban fighters.
D)widespread poverty.
E)all of the above

Question 36

The controversy over the rise of Muslim immigration into the Europe has involved

A)potential clashes between democracy and traditional Islamic values.
B)the high rate of dependency on social welfare among Muslims.
C)demands that some Muslims give up cultural traditions surrounding marriage and the treatment of women.
D)concerns over rising crime rates among Muslim men.
E)all of the above

Question 37

Under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, laws

A)were based on a strict interpretation of traditional Islamic laws.
B)were based on the Soviet Communist system introduced during the Soviet invasion.
C)provided all children, including girls, with the right to an education.
D)were largely borrowed from the Islamic fundamentalist regime in Iran which sponsored the Taliban.
E)were based on evolving scholarly interpretations.

Question 38

The undisputed leader in global military affairs is

A)the EU.
B)Russia.
C)China.
D)the United States.
E)North Korea.

Question 39

What does British Labour politician Denis MacShane, the U.S. State Department, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe believe to be responsible for rising anti-Semitism?

A)Muslim extremism
B)unemployment
C)the global economic meltdown
D)long held repressed hatred
E)multiculturalism

Question 40

The administration of David Cameron in Britain has included all of the following EXCEPT

A)being rocked by political scandals.
B)witnessing the polarization of the Conservative party over a gay marriage bill.
C)a demand to renegotiate Britain's membership in the EU.
D)a working coalition with the Labour party.
E)a series of austerity policies to cut spending.

Question 41

Popular protests against autocratic rules in the "Arab Spring" of 2011 took place in

A)Tunisia.
B)Egypt.
C)Syria.
D)Jordan.
E)all of the above

Question 42

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
"shock therapy"

Question 43

The conclusion of your text suggests that

A)the ideals developed by Western civilization offer the best hope for humankind.
B)a new formula of ideals and rights needs to be devised.
C)the existentialist view that choices must be made will advance a world civilization.
D)spiritual revival will be one of the new contributions to world-mindedness.
E)the values of the Enlightenment no longer have applicability in the modern age of globalization.

Question 44

Defenders of the Enlightenment heritage point to which of the following traditions as unique achievements of the West?

A)the development of rationality
B)the ideals of political and inner freedom
C)the emphasis on human dignity
D)the belief in equality
E)all of the above

Question 45

Challenges faced by the United States with regard to Iraq included all of the following EXCEPT

A)continued guerilla warfare from those loyal to Saddam Hussein and the Baath party.
B)the difficulties of installing a democratic regime in a country without democratic traditions.
C)the location of weapons of mass destruction that could be used against Americans.
D)faulty intelligence about Saddam Hussein's arsenal that prompted criticism of American policy.
E)the unpopularity and expense of the war in the United States.

Question 46

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
Dayton Agreement

Question 47

In Muslim lands, Christians

A)have received considerable support from Muslim clergy.
B)are free to worship privately in their homes without fear of recrimination.
C)face violence throughout the year but are not threatened on Christmas or Easter.
D)have been targeted to the degree that many have now fled to other lands.
E)have received considerable protection in Egypt by the Muslim Brotherhood.

Question 48

All of the following is true of the Assad regime in Syria EXCEPT

A)it was crippled by the "Arab Spring."
B)Assad relies on the support of his Alawite coreligionists.
C)it receives support from Russia.
D)its attack on Sunnis in Damascus prompted threats of a punitive strike from the United States.
E)it is strengthened by Shi'ite volunteers from Iraq and Hezbollah.

Question 49

According to the text, September 11, 2001 may have introduced a new era of warfare because

A)civilians were a target for the first time.
B)large cities could be attacked without notice.
C)free and open societies are vulnerable to attack from stateless organizations.
D)international organizations are in agreement on how to stop attacks.
E)religious differences may play a role.

Question 50

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
Maastricht Treaty

Question 51

The unprecedented growth of the world's population beginning in the twentieth century

A)includes a dramatic decrease in the population of the United States.
B)includes a sizable increase in the population of Europe.
C)saw the world's population increase tenfold in the twentieth century.
D)catapulted the world population to over 7 billion in 2011.
E)all of the above

Question 52

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
globalization

Question 53

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
Europeanization

Question 54

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
ethnic cleansing

Question 55

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
Islamic radicalism

Question 56

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
Greater Serbia

Question 57

In 2011, Osama bin Laden was killed

A)in a remote region of Afghanistan.
B)in the mountains of Pakistan.
C)in a large secure compound in an upscale neighborhood in Pakistan.
D)while fighting with Taliban fighters in Afghanistan
E)while in the custody of Pakistani special forces.

Question 58

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
Chechnya

Question 59

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
European Union

Question 60

Since 2009, Taliban militants have bombed more than 800 of which of the following, believing them to be a sign of the encroachment of Western ideals and decadence?

A)shopping malls
B)Christian churches
C)factories
D)girls' schools
E)grocery stores

Question 61

Instructions: Please write a thorough, well-organized essay to answer each question. Compare and contrast the policies of Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin.

Question 62

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
extreme poverty

Question 63

Instructions: Please write a thorough, well-organized essay to answer each question. Explain the causes and consequences of the global financial meltdown of 2008.

Question 64

Instructions: Please write a thorough, well-organized essay to answer each question. What are some of the problems faced by Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union?

Question 65

Instructions: Please write a thorough, well-organized essay to answer each question. The recent history of Yugoslavia follows neither the norm for the former Eastern Europe nor the pattern in the dissolved Soviet Union. Summarize and explain the history of the former Yugoslavia since 1991.

Question 66

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
Euroskeptics

Question 67

Instructions: Please write a thorough, well-organized essay to answer each question. What are the essential ideals of Western civilization, and how have they been challenged and reinforced in the last quarter century?

Question 68

Instructions: Please write a thorough, well-organized essay to answer each question. How did the massacre at Srebrenica force Western countries to reconsider its policy toward the Balkans?

Question 69

Instructions: Please write a thorough, well-organized essay to answer each question. What are some of anxieties felt in prosperous West European societies about the increasing power and reach of the European Union and about loss of identity in general?

Question 70

Instructions: Please write a thorough, well-organized essay to answer each question. How has Muslim immigration challenged European assumptions of openness and multiculturalism?

Question 71

Instructions: Please use this outline map of Europe to answer the question(s).
Locate and label the thirteen countries who joined the European Union in 2004, 2007, and 2013.

Question 72

Instructions: Please write a thorough, well-organized essay to answer each question. Compare and contrast the recent rise of anti-Semitism in Europe with historic anti-Semitism.

Question 73

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
"Arab Spring"

Question 74

Instructions: Please use this outline map of Europe to answer the question(s).
Label the successor states to Yugoslavia: Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia.

Question 75

Instructions: Please write a thorough, well-organized essay to answer each question. What caused the riots of 2005 in France, and how is the struggle over identity displayed in the riots indicative of broader trends in Western civilization?

Question 76

Instructions: Please write a thorough, well-organized essay to answer each question. What issues and people have shaped Britain's government since 1990?

Question 77

Instructions: Please write a thorough, well-organized essay to answer each question. How has globalization encouraged cultural conflicts that may lead to antagonism between radical Islam and the West?

Question 78

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
Al Qaeda

Question 79

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
Taliban

Question 80

Instructions: Please define the following key terms. Show Who? What? Where? When? Why Important?
weapons of mass destruction