NAEP Civics Grade 12 - Question List

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1.

"A witness' refusal to answer whether or not he is a Communist on the ground that his answer would tend to incriminate him is the most positive proof obtainable that the witness is a Communist." -- Senator Joseph McCarthy, 1953

In the speech above, Joseph McCarthy seems to ignore constitutional rights granted by the

  1. First Amendment
  2. Second Amendment
  3. Fourth Amendment
  4. Fifth Amendment
2. People who claim that lobbying is a positive force in American politics often argue that lobbyists play an important role by
  1. supplying members of Congress with information and helping to draft legislation
  2. giving Supreme Court justices information they need to make decisions in difficult cases
  3. giving everybody equal power in the political process
  4. limiting access to public officials
3.

"In recent years, United States policy toward China has been confused. China is the world's most populous country and a major military power, and has become an increasingly valuable trading partner. It has been the view of Presidents, therefore, that it is in the United States interest to remain on good terms with the Beijing government. However, the human rights situation in China shows few signs of improving. In addition, the end of the Cold War has made the political logic of a close relationship with China less compelling. The trade relationship has been, to put it mildly, strained. The Chinese leadership has not responded to quiet diplomacy. It is, therefore, time to reconsider our relationship and break off diplomatic relations with China." -- The Madison Daily News

The editorial argues that the end of the Cold War has made "the political logic" of our relationship with China less compelling. The editorial is probably referring to the fact that

  1. we no longer need China as an ally to combat Soviet influence
  2. the United States should avoid entering into permanent alliances now that the Cold War is over
  3. we have few allies in the world who can be trusted consistently
  4. alliances can now be forged solely on the basis of shared economic interests
4.

"For years I thought what was good for our country was good for General Motors, and vice versa. The difference did not exist." -- Charles E. Wilson, 1953

"This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence-economic, political, even spiritual-is felt in every city, every statehouse, every office of the federal government . . . . We must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex." -- Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961

Taken together, the two quotations show a disagreement over the role of:

  1. Government in regulating the economy
  2. Major private companies in American society
  3. The automotive industry in the economy
  4. The military in society
5.

The Second World War marked the most substantial change ever in the context in which United States foreign policy is made. The world that emerged after the war had fundamentally changed in economic, political, and military ways. These changes made the world a more dangerous place, and altered the demands placed on foreign policy. What major political change at the end of the Second World War had the greatest effect on United States foreign policy?

  1. The emergence of the Soviet Union as a superpower
  2. The emergence of China as a superpower
  3. The emergence of the United Nations
  4. The development of Japanese economic power

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