Can You Pass This Cold War MCQ Quiz?

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    1959, a left-wing revolutionary named _________ overthrow the Cuban dictator and set up a Soviet-supported totalitarian regime in Cuba. 

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About This Quiz

Believe it or not, the Cold War, which took place after World War II between 1947 and 1991, is often overlooked as one of the great wars of the last few generations. It took place between the Soviet Union and the United States of America for several reasons, including the American fear of communist attacks and the USSR’s hatred of capitalism. What else do you know about it?

Can You Pass This Cold War MCQ Quiz? - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    The first artificial satellite to be launched into space was called _____________.

    Explanation
    Sputnik was the first artificial satellite launched into space. It was launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, marking the beginning of the Space Age. Sputnik was a small, spherical satellite that orbited the Earth, transmitting radio signals back to Earth. Its launch had a significant impact on the world, sparking the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union and leading to advancements in space exploration and technology.

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  • 3. 

    The Warsaw Pact sought to:

    • Create a military alliance between the Soviet Union and various Eastern European nations.

    • Prevent Soviet expansion into Poland and Denmark.

    • Provide economic assistance to Polish Jews after World War II.

    • Create a plan for the reduction of nuclear weapons in Europe.

    Correct Answer
    A. Create a military alliance between the Soviet Union and various Eastern European nations.
    Explanation
    The Warsaw Pact was a military alliance formed in 1955 between the Soviet Union and several Eastern European countries, including Poland. Its main purpose was to counterbalance the influence of NATO and ensure Soviet control over the region. The pact aimed to strengthen the Soviet Union's military presence in Eastern Europe and maintain political and military unity among its member states. It was not concerned with preventing Soviet expansion into Poland and Denmark, providing economic assistance to Polish Jews, or reducing nuclear weapons in Europe.

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  • 4. 

    To escape the victorious Communists, Chiang Kai-Shek’s nationalist forces fled to the island of ____________.

    Correct Answer
    Taiwan
    Explanation
    Chiang Kai-Shek's nationalist forces fled to the island of Taiwan to escape the victorious Communists.

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  • 5. 

    The “Bay of Pigs” refers to:

    • The Soviet Union’s invasion of Hungary.

    • A U.S. attempt to overthrow the Cuban government

    • The Russian resort city in which Eastern European nations met to form the CENTO alliance.

    • the Soviet Union’s attempt to install nuclear weapons in Haiti.

    Correct Answer
    A. A U.S. attempt to overthrow the Cuban government
    Explanation
    The "Bay of Pigs" refers to a U.S. attempt to overthrow the Cuban government. This operation was carried out by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1961, where a group of Cuban exiles trained and supported by the U.S. government landed in the Bay of Pigs in Cuba in an effort to overthrow Fidel Castro's regime. However, the operation was a failure and resulted in a significant embarrassment for the U.S. government.

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  • 6. 

    The United States and Great Britain believed that the liberated nations of Eastern Europe should:

    • Hold free elections to determine their futures.

    • Restore their prewar monarchies.

    • Join the Soviet Union.

    • Become mandates of the Allies.

    Correct Answer
    A. Hold free elections to determine their futures.
    Explanation
    The United States and Great Britain believed that the liberated nations of Eastern Europe should hold free elections to determine their futures. This means that they believed these nations should have the opportunity to choose their own governments and decide the direction they wanted to take after being liberated from Nazi control. This was seen as a way to ensure democracy and self-determination for these nations, rather than imposing any specific form of government on them.

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  • 7. 

    ____________ defeated Jimmy Carter in 1980 to become the President of the United States.

    Correct Answer
    Ronald Reagan
    Reagan
    Explanation
    Ronald Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter in 1980 to become the President of the United States.

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  • 8. 

    In June of 1950, North Korean forces crossed the  _____________ and invaded the South.

    Correct Answer
    38th parallel
    Explanation
    In June of 1950, North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel and invaded the South. The 38th parallel refers to the line of latitude that divided North and South Korea after World War II. The invasion by North Korea was a significant event in the Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953. The crossing of the 38th parallel marked the beginning of the conflict and the subsequent division of Korea into two separate countries.

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  • 9. 

    U.S. fears about the spread of communism were increased when ____ became a Communist nation in 1949.

    • Soviet Union

    • Yugoslavia

    • China

    • South Korea

    Correct Answer
    A. China
    Explanation
    The correct answer is China. The U.S. fears about the spread of communism were heightened when China became a Communist nation in 1949. This event marked a significant shift in the balance of power during the Cold War, as China aligned itself with the Soviet Union and posed a threat to American interests in Asia. The U.S. responded with policies such as containment and the formation of alliances like NATO to counter the spread of communism.

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  • 10. 

    The Berlin Wall was built in order to:

    • Stop the flow of supplies from West Germany to West Berlin.

    • Prevent food from entering Poland.

    • Prevent the smuggling of arms to anti-Soviet forces

    • Prevent East Germans from defecting to West Germany

    Correct Answer
    A. Prevent East Germans from defecting to West Germany
    Explanation
    The Berlin Wall was built to prevent East Germans from defecting to West Germany. The wall was constructed by the Soviet Union in 1961 to separate East Berlin from West Berlin. It was a physical barrier that made it difficult for East Germans to escape to the West. The wall consisted of concrete walls, barbed wire, guard towers, and other security measures. Its purpose was to restrict the movement of people and prevent them from leaving East Germany, as many East Germans were seeking better opportunities and freedom in the West.

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  • 11. 

    Which of the following nations was a member of the Warsaw Pact?

    • Yugoslavia

    • China

    • Poland

    • Monaco

    Correct Answer
    A. Poland
    Explanation
    Poland was a member of the Warsaw Pact. The Warsaw Pact was a military alliance formed in 1955 by the Soviet Union and several Eastern European countries, including Poland, in response to the establishment of NATO by Western countries. The pact aimed to provide collective defense against potential aggression from NATO. Yugoslavia was not a member of the Warsaw Pact, as it pursued a policy of non-alignment during the Cold War. China and Monaco were also not members of the Warsaw Pact.

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  • 12. 

    The _________________ stated that the U.S. would provide finances to anyone who fought against Communism.

    Correct Answer
    Truman Doctrine
    Explanation
    The Truman Doctrine was a policy announced by President Harry S. Truman in 1947. It stated that the United States would provide financial aid and support to any country that was threatened by or fighting against the spread of communism. This policy was a response to the growing influence of the Soviet Union and its communist ideology. The Truman Doctrine aimed to contain the spread of communism and promote democratic values and capitalism. It marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy towards a more proactive and interventionist approach in global affairs.

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  • 13. 

    On April 12, 1961, Russian cosmonaut ______________  become the first man in space.

    Correct Answer
    Yuri Gagarin
    Explanation
    Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space on April 12, 1961.

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  • 14. 

    On January 1, 1959, Fidel Castro’s forces overthrew the government led by:

    • Vicente Fox.

    • Gabriela Mistral

    • José López Portillo

    • Fulgencio Batista

    Correct Answer
    A. Fulgencio Batista
    Explanation
    Fidel Castro's forces overthrew the government led by Fulgencio Batista on January 1, 1959.

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  • 15. 

    The “détente” phase of relations between the U.S. and the Soviet Union ended with the Soviet invasion of:

    • Afghanistan.

    • South Vietnam.

    • South Korea.

    • Poland.

    Correct Answer
    A. Afghanistan.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Afghanistan. The détente phase refers to a period of improved relations between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. However, this phase came to an end when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979. This invasion was seen as a violation of the principles of détente and led to a deterioration in relations between the two countries.

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  • 16. 

    In the early 1970s, the Chinese government decided to improve relations with the  U.S. because:

    • Chinese protesters demanded new democratic reforms.

    • The Korean War had weakened the Chinese economy

    • Deng Xiaoping desired to create new economic relationships with Canadian businesses.

    • China faced a serious security threat from the Soviet Union.

    Correct Answer
    A. China faced a serious security threat from the Soviet Union.
    Explanation
    During the early 1970s, the Chinese government decided to improve relations with the U.S. because China faced a serious security threat from the Soviet Union. This was a strategic move by China to counterbalance the Soviet Union's influence and protect its national security. By improving relations with the U.S., China aimed to strengthen its position in the global power dynamics and gain support in case of any potential conflict with the Soviet Union. This decision was driven by geopolitical considerations rather than domestic protests, economic reasons, or desires for new economic relationships with Canadian businesses.

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  • 17. 

    The most tense 13 days of the Cold War occurred during  the event known as the _________ ________ ________.

    Correct Answer
    Cuban Missle Crisis
    Explanation
    The most tense 13 days of the Cold War occurred during the event known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. This was a standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union in 1962, where the Soviet Union had placed nuclear missiles in Cuba. The crisis escalated tensions between the two superpowers and brought them to the brink of nuclear war. It was a critical moment in history that highlighted the dangers and risks of the Cold War.

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  • 18. 

    The surprise attack launched by the NLF in January of 1968 was called:

    • The Red Surprise

    • The Prague Spring

    • the October Revolution

    • The Tet Offensive

    Correct Answer
    A. The Tet Offensive
    Explanation
    The correct answer is the Tet Offensive. The Tet Offensive was a surprise attack launched by the National Liberation Front (NLF), also known as the Viet Cong, in January of 1968 during the Vietnam War. It involved coordinated attacks on multiple targets across South Vietnam, including major cities and military installations. The offensive was a turning point in the war, as it demonstrated the NLF's ability to launch large-scale attacks and undermined the confidence of the American public in the war effort.

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  • 19. 

    Which of the following astronauts died in the accidental fire of Apollo I?

    • Neal Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell

    • Alan Shepherd, Gus Grissom, Roger Chafee

    • Ed White, Gus Grissom, Roger Chafee

    • Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise

    Correct Answer
    A. Ed White, Gus Grissom, Roger Chafee
    Explanation
    Ed White, Gus Grissom, and Roger Chaffee were the astronauts who died in the accidental fire of Apollo I. This tragic event occurred on January 27, 1967, during a pre-launch test. The fire broke out in the command module, leading to the death of the three astronauts. This incident was a devastating setback for the Apollo program and prompted significant changes in spacecraft design and safety protocols.

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  • 20. 

    Which of the following were U.S. allies during the Vietnam War?

    • ARVN troops

    • Vietcong

    • NVA troops (North Vietnamese Army)

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. ARVN troops
    Explanation
    ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) troops were U.S. allies during the Vietnam War. The ARVN was the main ground force of South Vietnam and received significant support from the United States in terms of training, equipment, and funding. They fought alongside American forces against the Vietcong and NVA (North Vietnamese Army) troops, who were the opposition forces. The ARVN troops played a crucial role in the war, although they faced various challenges and ultimately were unable to prevent the fall of South Vietnam to communist forces.

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  • Current Version
  • Jun 05, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Apr 28, 2010
    Quiz Created by
    Kevhugh
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