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Quiz for The Iran-Contra Scandal

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Choose the best answer to each question.

Question

1. Placing the Boland Amendment (Document 28.5) in the context of the end of the Cold War, why do you think the CIA supplied military aid to the contras?

A contra victory would ensure that Nicaragua would be an economic ally of the United States.

The CIA wanted to fight the spread of communism in Latin America.

The CIA believed that American intervention would result in fewer casualties.

The main focus of the CIA was to make a profit on the sale of arms.

Correct: The answer is b. The CIA supplied military aid to the contras to fight the spread of communism in Latin America. The Cold War had not ended, and the U.S. policy of containment was still in effect.

Incorrect: The answer is b. The CIA supplied military aid to the contras to fight the spread of communism in Latin America. The Cold War had not ended, and the U.S. policy of containment was still in effect.

Question

2. What was the specific aim of the printed excerpt of the CIA’s The Freedom Fighter’s Manual (see Document 28.6)?

To disrupt the Nicaraguan political process

To cause disenfranchisement

To disable vehicles and disrupt Nicaraguan society

To stand up for the right to be a democratic nation

Correct: The answer is c. The specific aim of the printed excerpt was to disable government vehicles. Each technique was focused on causing destruction to automobiles.

Incorrect: The answer is c. The specific aim of the printed excerpt was to disable government vehicles. Each technique was focused on causing destruction to automobiles.

Question

3. What did the Tower Commission find in its investigation of the Iran-Contra scandal (see Document 28.7)?

Reagan was aware of the course of action that the N.S.C. had administered.

Oliver North spearheaded this operation on his own volition, without approval from superiors.

Information regarding the scandal had been intentionally concealed.

Reagan was kept out of the loop because it was understood that he would have prevented this operation from occurring.

Correct: The answer is c. The Tower Commission Report repeatedly suggested that information regarding the scandal had been intentionally concealed.

Incorrect: The answer is c. The Tower Commission Report repeatedly suggested that information regarding the scandal had been intentionally concealed.

Question

4. Which statement summarizes President Ronald Reagan’s role in the Iran-Contra scandal (see Document 28.8)?

Reagan was not aware of the actions that were taken during the scandal, but took full responsibility and was ready to move on the day-to-day business of governance.

Reagan was to blame for the scandal because of the people with whom he chose to surround himself.

Reagan made a mistake like all people, and he was sorry to have dragged the American people’s trust through this scandal.

Reagan believed that the policy behind the Iran-Contra scandal was sound, but it failed in implementation.

Correct: The answer is a. Reagan was not aware of the actions that were taken during the scandal, but took full responsibility and moved on to the day-to-day business of governance. He admitted mistakes were made, claimed accountability, and wanted to move forward.

Incorrect: The answer is a. Reagan was not aware of the actions that were taken during the scandal, but took full responsibility and moved on to the day-to-day business of governance. He admitted mistakes were made, claimed accountability, and wanted to move forward.

Question

5. In his response to Oliver North’s testimony (Document 28.10), Senator George Mitchell agreed with Lt. Col. North’s assessment (Document 28.9) that there was a need for a democratic outcome in Nicaragua. What did Mitchell disagree about with Lt. Col. North regarding this democratic outcome?

Which governmental entity should lead

How to best achieve that result lawfully

Which rebel military group to support

The lack of a referendum by the American people

Correct: The answer is b. Senator Mitchell agreed with Lt. Col. North with regard to the need for a democratic outcome in Nicaragua to defeat the communist Sandinistas, but he said there was a disagreement as how best to achieve that objective. Mitchell believed that, however noble an objective, it cannot be achieved at the expense of the rule of law in the United States.

Incorrect: The answer is b. Senator Mitchell agreed with Lt. Col. North with regard to the need for a democratic outcome in Nicaragua to defeat the communist Sandinistas, but he said there was a disagreement as how best to achieve that objective. Mitchell believed that, however noble an objective, it cannot be achieved at the expense of the rule of law in the United States.