Quiz for Sources for America’s History, Chapter 26

Question

1. The 1944 Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (Document 26-1) was most closely associated with which of the following developments in the United States in the post-World War II period?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct. The answer is a. By providing financing for education to returning veterans, the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act sent nearly 8 million Americans to colleges and trade schools in the late 1940s and 1950s. As a result, colleges, universities, and trade schools grew dramatically to meet the needs of the new students.
Incorrect. The answer is a. By providing financing for education to returning veterans, the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act sent nearly 8 million Americans to colleges and trade schools in the late 1940s and 1950s. As a result, colleges, universities, and trade schools grew dramatically to meet the needs of the new students.

Question

2. Doreen Spooner’s 1950 photograph of a busy soda counter (Document 26-2) provides evidence to support which of the following conclusions?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct. The answer is c. This photograph of teenagers eating, drinking, and socializing at a busy soda counter in 1950 illustrates the emergence of the teenage market in the postwar period. In the prosperous decade of the 1950s, this group had weekly spending money, which helped to fuel demand for candy, soft drinks, comic books, movies, and records.
Incorrect. The answer is c. This photograph of teenagers eating, drinking, and socializing at a busy soda counter in 1950 illustrates the emergence of the teenage market in the postwar period. In the prosperous decade of the 1950s, this group had weekly spending money, which helped to fuel demand for candy, soft drinks, comic books, movies, and records.

Question

3. According to Billy Graham’s 1956 essay, “Our Right to Require Belief” (Document 26-3), religion—and particularly Christianity—was more important than ever in the 1950s because it provided a foundation for resistance to which of the following?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct. The answer is c. In his essay, Billy Graham promoted the notion that religion was a vital component of the struggle against “atheistic” communism. He reasoned, “Whether he intends to, the American atheist administering a public office has essentially conceded the battle to Communism. By his atheism, he underwrites in principle the Communist, materialistic, nonspiritual concept of life.”
Incorrect. The answer is c. In his essay, Billy Graham promoted the notion that religion was a vital component of the struggle against “atheistic” communism. He reasoned, “Whether he intends to, the American atheist administering a public office has essentially conceded the battle to Communism. By his atheism, he underwrites in principle the Communist, materialistic, nonspiritual concept of life.”

Question

4. In its 1955 report, “Comic Books and Juvenile Delinquency: Interim Report of the Committee on the Judiciary” (Document 26-5), the committee expressed which of the following concerns about the impact of comic books on the post-World War II world?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct. The answer is d. The committee’s report expressed various concerns about the impact of comic books, but one of its major concerns was that the books were creating a negative impression of American society in countries outside the United States. The committee even suggested that “There is evidence that comic books are being utilized by the U.S.S.R. to
Incorrect. The answer is d. The committee’s report expressed various concerns about the impact of comic books, but one of its major concerns was that the books were creating a negative impression of American society in countries outside the United States. The committee even suggested that “There is evidence that comic books are being utilized by the U.S.S.R. to undermine the morale of youth in many countries by pointing to crime and horror as portrayed in American comics as one of the end results of the most successful capitalist nation in the world.”

Question

5. In his 1960 book Growing Up Absurd (Document 26-6), Paul Goodman, like the U.S. Committee on the Judiciary’s report on comic books, focused on the conditions of American society that were creating a crisis among youth. According to Goodman, what was the source of the crisis facing America’s young men in 1960?

A.
B.
C.
D.

Correct. The answer is b. Goodman argued that materialism and consumer society were depriving American boys and men of a sense of productivity, purpose, and meaning. He argued that American society was geared only toward “profitable expanding production” and a high standard of living; as a result, its youth were suffering and failing to grow into mature, responsible adults.
Incorrect. The answer is b. Goodman argued that materialism and consumer society were depriving American boys and men of a sense of productivity, purpose, and meaning. He argued that American society was geared only toward “profitable expanding production” and a high standard of living; as a result, its youth were suffering and failing to grow into mature, responsible adults.