APUSH FINAL

Prompt/Source Set 1: 1992 Election 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

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

Economic Revitalization

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

Ross Perot

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

It’s the economy, stupid

Prompt/Source Set 2: Domestic Policy

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

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

Personal responisiblility and work opportunity act

2.2. 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

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

third way centrism

Prompt/Source Set 3: Foreign Policy

"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

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

NAFTA

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

Kosovo Crisis

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

International Monetary Fund and World Bank

4.1. 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

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 Which piece of legislation, signed by Clinton, repealed parts of the Glass-Steagall Act and contributed to future financial deregulation?

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act

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

c) The internet and technology boom

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

Budget Surplus

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

d) Centrist “Third Way” philosophy

4.6. What national service program was established under the Clinton administration?

c) AmeriCorps

“On September the 11th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country. Americans have known wars, ­but for the past 136 years, they have been wars on foreign soil, except for one Sunday in 1941. Americans have known the casualties of war, but not at the center of a great city on a peaceful morning. Americans have known surprise attacks, ­­but never before on thousands of civilians. All of this was brought upon us in a single day, ­­and night fell on a different world, a world where freedom itself is under attack. Americans have many questions tonight. Americans are asking: Who attacked our country? The evidence we have gathered all points to a collection of loosely affiliated terrorist organizations known as al Qaeda. They are some of the murderers indicted for bombing American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, and responsible for bombing the USS Cole. Al Qaeda is to terror what the mafia is to crime. But its goal is not making money; its goal is remaking the world ­­and imposing its radical beliefs on people everywhere.”

George W. Bush, Address to a Joint Session of Congress on the 9/11 Attacks, September 20, 2001.

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

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

“On September the 11th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country. Americans have known wars, ­but for the past 136 years, they have been wars on foreign soil, except for one Sunday in 1941. Americans have known the casualties of war, but not at the center of a great city on a peaceful morning. Americans have known surprise attacks, ­­but never before on thousands of civilians. All of this was brought upon us in a single day, ­­and night fell on a different world, a world where freedom itself is under attack. Americans have many questions tonight. Americans are asking: Who attacked our country? The evidence we have gathered all points to a collection of loosely affiliated terrorist organizations known as al Qaeda. They are some of the murderers indicted for bombing American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, and responsible for bombing the USS Cole. Al Qaeda is to terror what the mafia is to crime. But its goal is not making money; its goal is remaking the world ­­and imposing its radical beliefs on people everywhere.”

George W. Bush, Address to a Joint Session of Congress on the 9/11 Attacks, September 20, 2001.

b) Wilsonian ideals of making the world “safe for democracy”

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

“On September the 11th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country. Americans have known wars, ­but for the past 136 years, they have been wars on foreign soil, except for one Sunday in 1941. Americans have known the casualties of war, but not at the center of a great city on a peaceful morning. Americans have known surprise attacks, ­­but never before on thousands of civilians. All of this was brought upon us in a single day, ­­and night fell on a different world, a world where freedom itself is under attack. Americans have many questions tonight. Americans are asking: Who attacked our country? The evidence we have gathered all points to a collection of loosely affiliated terrorist organizations known as al Qaeda. They are some of the murderers indicted for bombing American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, and responsible for bombing the USS Cole. Al Qaeda is to terror what the mafia is to crime. But its goal is not making money; its goal is remaking the world ­­and imposing its radical beliefs on people everywhere.”

George W. Bush, Address to a Joint Session of Congress on the 9/11 Attacks, September 20, 2001.

b) National Security advocates pushing for increased defense spending and military action

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

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

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

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

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

C. A belief in preemptive military action against potential threats

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

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

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

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

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

D. 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

Source: Excerpt from Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA)

“The purposes of this Act are--(1) to immediately provide authority and facilities that the Secretary of the Treasury can use to restore liquidity and stability to the financial system of the United States; and (2) to ensure that such authority and such facilities are used in a manner that-- (A) protects home values, college funds, retirement accounts, and life savings; (B) preserves homeownership and promotes jobs and economic growth; (C) maximizes overall returns to the taxpayers of the United States; and (D) provides public accountability for the exercise of such authority.”

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

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

“The purposes of this Act are--(1) to immediately provide authority and facilities that the Secretary of the Treasury can use to restore liquidity and stability to the financial system of the United States; and (2) to ensure that such authority and such facilities are used in a manner that-- (A) protects home values, college funds, retirement accounts, and life savings; (B) preserves homeownership and promotes jobs and economic growth; (C) maximizes overall returns to the taxpayers of the United States; and (D) provides public accountability for the exercise of such authority.”

5) 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.

6) 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

Source: Excerpt from Barack Obama's Speech (October 13, 2008): "The credit crisis has left businesses large and small unable to get loans, which means they can't buy new equipment, or hire new workers, or even make payroll for the workers they have. You've got auto plants right here in Ohio that have been around for decades closing their doors and laying off workers who've never known another job in their entire life."

7) The primary purpose of the passage is to:

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

Source: Excerpt from Barack Obama's Speech (October 13, 2008): "The credit crisis has left businesses large and small unable to get loans, which means they can't buy new equipment, or hire new workers, or even make payroll for the workers they have. You've got auto plants right here in Ohio that have been around for decades closing their doors and laying off workers who've never known another job in their entire life."

8) The reference to auto plants in Ohio serves primarily to:

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

Source: Excerpt from Barack Obama's Speech (October 13, 2008): "The credit crisis has left businesses large and small unable to get loans, which means they can't buy new equipment, or hire new workers, or even make payroll for the workers they have. You've got auto plants right here in Ohio that have been around for decades closing their doors and laying off workers who've never known another job in their entire life."

9) 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.

10) How was the public affected during the recession?

Middle class students gained further access to education.

Difficulty to cover expenses and build savings increased.

11) 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.

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

GDP increased by 4.3%.

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

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

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

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

15) 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?

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

Source: Excerpt from the Inaugural Address of President Donald Trump, January 20, 2017.

“For too long, a small group in our nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost… That all changes—starting right here and right now. Because this moment is your moment: it belongs to you. It belongs to everyone gathered here today and everyone watching all across America… From this day forward, it’s going to be only America First.”

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

B. Populist and confrontational, aiming to distinguish his agenda from predecessors

Source: Excerpt from the Inaugural Address of President Donald Trump, January 20, 2017.

“For too long, a small group in our nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost… That all changes—starting right here and right now. Because this moment is your moment: it belongs to you. It belongs to everyone gathered here today and everyone watching all across America… From this day forward, it’s going to be only America First.”

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

C. Rural and working-class Americans disillusioned with establishment politics

Source: Excerpt from the Inaugural Address of President Donald Trump, January 20, 2017.

“For too long, a small group in our nation’s capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost… That all changes—starting right here and right now. Because this moment is your moment: it belongs to you. It belongs to everyone gathered here today and everyone watching all across America… From this day forward, it’s going to be only America First.”

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

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

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

B. Rising political polarization and challenges to democratic norms

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

   

A. The Bonus Army protest of 1932

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

   

C. A second impeachment of President Donald Trump

Source: Testimony of Carlos M., ICU nurse in Queens, NY (acted), recorded in a Century-style documentary, 2021.

“We ran out of ventilators in days. I held hands as people died with iPads beside them — families watching from parking lots. We were lied to. Left behind.”

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

C. The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on healthcare workers

Source: Testimony of Carlos M., ICU nurse in Queens, NY (acted), recorded in a Century-style documentary, 2021.

“We ran out of ventilators in days. I held hands as people died with iPads beside them — families watching from parking lots. We were lied to. Left behind.”

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

C. Inadequate emergency infrastructure and supply chains

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

Source: Testimony of Carlos M., ICU nurse in Queens, NY (acted), recorded in a Century-style documentary, 2021.

“We ran out of ventilators in days. I held hands as people died with iPads beside them — families watching from parking lots. We were lied to. Left behind.”

C. Renewed calls for universal healthcare and pandemic preparedness

10. What period in time most closely resembles our current era?

A.The Gilded Age

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

A. 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.

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

E. 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.

13. The ideals of the current Republican government contrast those of:

D. Counterculture youth

14. What did Trump do in his first term?

Attempt to build a wall between the United States and Mexico

Deport illegal immigrants

Tax cuts

(All of the above)

15. 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

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

"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)

5. 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

"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)

6. 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)

7. 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

"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)

8. 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 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)

9. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

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

14. 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

15. 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

"I applaud the Senate for voting to renew the Patriot Act and overcoming the partisan attempts to block its passage. The terrorists have not lost the will or the ability to attack us. The Patriot Act is vital to the war on terror and defending our citizens against a ruthless enemy.”

“The liberation of Kuwait has begun. In conjunction with the forces of our coalition partners, the United States has moved under the code name Operation Desert Storm to enforce the mandates of the United Nations Security Council.” 

• George HW Bush, Address to Nation, after 9/11

Which legislation, passed shortly after the September 11 attacks, significantly expanded the U.S. government's surveillance and investigative powers?

b) USA Patriot Act

"I applaud the Senate for voting to renew the Patriot Act and overcoming the partisan attempts to block its passage. The terrorists have not lost the will or the ability to attack us. The Patriot Act is vital to the war on terror and defending our citizens against a ruthless enemy.”

“The liberation of Kuwait has begun. In conjunction with the forces of our coalition partners, the United States has moved under the code name Operation Desert Storm to enforce the mandates of the United Nations Security Council.” 

• George HW Bush, Address to Nation, after 9/11

What was the name of the military operation launched by the United States in 2001 to overthrow the Taliban regime in Afghanistan?

Operation Enduring Freedom

"I applaud the Senate for voting to renew the Patriot Act and overcoming the partisan attempts to block its passage. The terrorists have not lost the will or the ability to attack us. The Patriot Act is vital to the war on terror and defending our citizens against a ruthless enemy.”

“The liberation of Kuwait has begun. In conjunction with the forces of our coalition partners, the United States has moved under the code name Operation Desert Storm to enforce the mandates of the United Nations Security Council.” 

• George HW Bush, Address to Nation, after 9/11

Which U.S. government agency was primarily responsible for coordinating intelligence and counterterrorism efforts after the September 11 attacks? 

a) The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

1. What were the primary justifications used by the Bush administration to justify the invasion of Iraq?

Iraq had ties to Al-Qaeda 

1. Which of the following was a significant impact of the Iraq War on U.S. military policy?

c) The shift towards counterinsurgency tactics and strategies 

1. What was the primary purpose of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441, passed in 2002?

 c) To demand that Iraq disarm its weapons of mass destruction and comply with inspections