APUSH Test Multiple Choice Questions

Source 1:
"There is a simple message here, and it is that change is coming. We must put people first and rebuild our economy for the 21st century."
— Bill Clinton, campaign speech, 1992

What domestic issue was central to Clinton’s 1992 campaign and reflected in this quote?

economic revitalization

Source 1:
"There is a simple message here, and it is that change is coming. We must put people first and rebuild our economy for the 21st century."
— Bill Clinton, campaign speech, 1992

In the 1992 election, which third-party candidate appealed to voters dissatisfied with both major parties, especially over economic concerns?

Ross Perot

Source 1:
"There is a simple message here, and it is that change is coming. We must put people first and rebuild our economy for the 21st century."
— Bill Clinton, campaign speech, 1992

What was Clinton's unofficial campaign motto, coined by strategist James Carville, that focused voter attention on the economy?

“It’s the economy, stupid”

Source 2:
"The era of big government is over."
— Bill Clinton, 1996 State of the Union Address

What major reform, consistent with this quote, did Clinton sign in 1996?

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act

Source 2:
"The era of big government is over."
— Bill Clinton, 1996 State of the Union Address

What early initiative led by Hillary Clinton ultimately failed to pass but aimed to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system?

The Clinton Health Care Plan

Source 2:
"The era of big government is over."
— Bill Clinton, 1996 State of the Union Address

Clinton's approach to governing — emphasizing moderate reform, compromise, and a blend of liberal and conservative ideas — is best described as:

Third Way centrism

Source 3:
"We must support the expansion of markets and free trade… because it will ultimately promote democracy and prosperity around the world."
— President Clinton, speech on globalization, 1995

Which free trade agreement, signed during Clinton's presidency, aligned with this global economic vision?

NAFTA

Source 3:
"We must support the expansion of markets and free trade… because it will ultimately promote democracy and prosperity around the world."
— President Clinton, speech on globalization, 1995

What international conflict led the U.S., under Clinton, to conduct NATO-led airstrikes in the late 1990s?

Kosovo Crisis

Source 3:
"We must support the expansion of markets and free trade… because it will ultimately promote democracy and prosperity around the world."
— President Clinton, speech on globalization, 1995

Which international economic institutions did Clinton support as part of his globalization policy?

International Monetary Fund and World Bank

What was the official reason for the impeachment of President Bill Clinton in 1998?

Perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Monica Lewinsky scandal

Which piece of legislation, signed by Clinton, repealed parts of the Glass-Steagall Act and contributed to future financial deregulation?

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act

The U.S. economy experienced significant growth during the late 1990s due in large part to:

The internet and technology boom

What was the federal budget status by the end of Clinton’s second term?

Budget surplus

Under Clinton, the Democratic Party shifted its identity by embracing which of the following ideological directions?

Centrist “Third Way” philosophy

What national service program was established under the Clinton administration?

AmeriCorps

The ideas expressed in the excerpt clearly reflect which of the following long-term developments in U.S foreign policy?

A shift toward unilateral military intervention and global counterterrorism efforts

President Bush’s speech reflects a continuation of which former U.S foreign policy approach? 

Wilsonian ideals of making the world “safe for democracy”

Which of the following groups would support Bush’s response to the 9/11 attacks?

National Security advocates pushing for increased defense spending and military action

What was the primary justification President George W. Bush gave for the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003?

Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and posed a threat to U.S. security

The USA PATRIOT Act, passed in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, was controversial because it:

Expanded government surveillance and reduced civil liberties in the name of national security

Which of the following best describes the Bush Doctrine as it was applied in the early 2000s?

A belief in preemptive military action against potential threats

The U.S. response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks included all of the following EXCEPT:

The formation of the Axis of Evil alliance with Russia and China

What was a major criticism of the Iraq War during George W. Bush’s presidency?

Intelligence used to justify the war was later found to be inaccurate or misleading

Which of the following correctly identifies a consequence of the War on Terror for U.S. foreign policy?

Strained relations with some allies due to unilateral U.S. actions

What trend can be noticed between 2009 and 2010?

Unemployment rate peaked in 2009 and then began to slowly decline in 2010

How did the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act affect unemployment rates between 2009 and 2015?

It caused unemployment rates to rise steadily due to heavy restrictions on hiring in the financial sector.

What external factor influenced the growth of the largest banks of America as this act was being enforced across the country?

The wave of mergers and acquisitions that resulted in the wake of the housing market collapse

Which of the following is a key aspect of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA) regarding financial institutions?

It authorized the Treasury Department to purchase “troubled assets” to stabilize the financial system.

Why did critics think the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA) primarily benefited large banks and financial institutions?

Because they viewed it to be a bailout for Wall Street and financial institutions for not adequately assessing the needs of Americans.

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act’s (EESA) focus on intervening in the financial system is analogous to governmental responses during which earlier historical events?

Great Depression

The primary purpose of the passage is to:

Illustrate the long-term consequences of the credit crisis on American workers and businesses

The reference to auto plants in Ohio serves primarily to:

Provide a specific example of the widespread impact of the economic downturn

What is most implied by the phrase "workers who've never known another job in their entire life"?

These workers have had steady, lifelong employment and now face unexpected hardship due to the crisis.

How was the public affected during the recession?

Difficulty to cover expenses and build savings increased. 

All of the following consequences of the recession of 2008 had an effect on the global economy EXCEPT…

Global banks cut interest rates in half by their percentage

All of the following were the causes of the recession of 2008 EXCEPT…

GDP increased by 4.3%.

What was the key policy response by President George W. Bush's administration to address the economic impact of the Great Recession in 2008?

Implementation of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to stabilize financial institutions

How did the Bush-era tax cuts, implemented between 2001 and 2003, contribute to the events leading up to the Great Recession?

They contributed to a rise in government debt, reducing fiscal flexibility during the crisis.

Which of the following actions taken by the Federal Reserve in 2008 played a critical role in the government's response to the Great Recession under Bush?

The significant reduction of interest rates to stimulate borrowing and consumer spending

Which of the following best describes the tone and purpose of President Trump’s speech excerpt?

Populist and confrontational, aiming to distinguish his agenda from predecessors

Which group would most likely support the rhetoric used in this excerpt?

Rural and working-class Americans disillusioned with establishment politics

The phrase “America First” in the speech most closely echoes which of the following earlier movements?

The America First Committee prior to U.S. entry into World War II

The events shown in this visual most directly reflect which of the following trends in the United States during the post-2020 era?

Rising political polarization and challenges to democratic norms

Which historical development is most comparable to the events depicted in the visual?

The Bonus Army protest of 1932

What was one major consequence of the Capitol insurrection shown in the image?

A second impeachment of President Donald Trump

Which major national event is Carlos M. describing in his testimony?

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on healthcare workers

The experience described in the source most directly reflects which shortcoming of U.S. policy?

Inadequate emergency infrastructure and supply chains

The broader public reaction to testimonies like Carlos M.’s contributed to which of the following?

Renewed calls for universal healthcare and pandemic preparedness

What period in time most closely resembles our current era?

The Gilded Age

In what ways were Biden’s policies similar to those of the New Deal Era and Social Security during COVID-19?

His policies provided stimulus checks and paid off loans of college students, which is similar to the policies of recovery and relief during the New Deal Era.

How is America’s reaction to the Gaza Conflict similar to that of another time period?

America chose to remain neutral and not support either side, despite providing economic aid to Israel, similar to how America claimed neutrality during WW1 yet provided aid to Britain.

The ideals of the current Republican government contrast those of:

Counterculture youth

What did Trump do in his first term?

1. Attempt to build a wall between the United States and Mexico

2. Deport illegal immigrants

3. Tax cuts

Why did Biden step down in the middle of the 2024 election?

He was advised by his party to step down due to concerns of Biden not being re-elected

 Based on the graph above, what is the most likely reason for the sharp decline in the economy at the end of 2008?

The collapse of the housing market and subprime mortgage crisis

Which of the following was NOT a key element of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

The establishment of a national healthcare system

The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 primarily reflected which of the following policies?

A belief in government intervention to address economic recessions

"This law is a historic step in providing more Americans with access to healthcare, reducing costs for families, and ending discrimination by insurance companies against those with pre-existing conditions." -Barack Obama on the Affordable Care Act (2010)

Based on the quote above, which of the following was a major goal of the Affordable Care Act?

To ensure access to healthcare for individuals with pre-existing conditions

Which of the following groups LEAST directly benefited from the passage of the Affordable Care Act?

A high-income individual with employer-sponsored insurance who did not face significant increases in coverage costs

Which of the following provisions of the Affordable Care Act directly aimed at reducing the number of uninsured Americans?

The establishment of health insurance exchanges for individuals to purchase insurance

"The situation in Afghanistan is not going to be solved overnight, but we are committed to a clear strategy that focuses on counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and strengthening the Afghan government to ensure the security of the region and the safety of the American people." -Barack Obama on the War in Afghanistan (2009)

Based on the above quote, which of the following best describes President Obama’s approach to the War in Afghanistan?

A strategy focused on counterterrorism and counterinsurgency while supporting the Afghan government

Which of the following was a key aspect of President Obama’s strategy in Afghanistan that distinguished it from the earlier Bush administration’s approach

A focus on nation-building and strengthening the Afghan government

The decision to increase U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan under the Obama administration was primarily intended to:

Assist Afghan forces in securing the country and eliminating the Taliban

Which of the following was a direct consequence of the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq in 2011?

The collapse of the Iraqi government and the rise of ISIS

Which of the following was a primary goal of President Obama’s "Clean Power Plan"?

To reduce carbon emissions from power plants and promote renewable energy

The "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy was repealed in 2010, allowing:

Gay individuals to openly serve in the U.S. military

The "Arab Spring" uprisings that began in 2010 led to which of the following actions by the Obama administration?

U.S. support for democratic movements and pressure on dictators to step down

In his efforts to address climate change, President Obama focused on all of the following except:

The development of a national cap-and-trade system to limit carbon emissions