When Winston Churchill spoke about an "iron curtain," he was referring to –

A. a division between Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe and the rest of the European continent
Correct! Churchill equated the Soviet control of Eastern Europe to and “iron curtain” that fell on that region.

B. the division between President Truman's supporters and his opponents
Incorrect. This is not the division to which Churchill is referring.

C. the barrier built to contain communism within its existing boundaries
Incorrect. The Iron Curtain is not an actual barrier; Churchill was speaking metaphorically.

D. the formation of the League of Nations
Incorrect. The League of Nations was created at the end of World War I.

At the onset of the Cold War, the United States’ foreign policy was based on the belief that the United States had the responsibility to —

A. prevent the spread of communism
Correct! This policy was called “containment.”

B. avoid foreign entanglements
Incorrect. This is what George Washington said in his Farewell Address and the United States’ policy after WWI.

C. encourage the spread of communism
Incorrect. Communism is what the United States was trying to contain.

D. be isolated and not worry about other countries
Incorrect. This was the United States’ foreign policy after WWI.

Which of the following headlines would be the best description of containment?

A. The United States to Stay Neutral After WWII
Incorrect. The United States became isolationist after WWI and a superpower after WWII.

B. Japan Surrenders, United States is New Superpower
Incorrect. Japan was not the focus of the containment policy.

C. The Soviet Union now has Satellite Nations
Incorrect. The Soviet Union gaining satellite nations is a cause of the containment policy.

D. United States to Provide Aid to Turkey and Greece
Correct! Providing aid to Turkey and Greece was addressed in the Truman Doctrine which Truman wanted to aid any country to keep communism from spreading (containment).

In which country or countries was the Truman Doctrine first put to the test in 1947?

A. Turkey and Greece
Correct! Both nations were being aided by Great Britain, but Great Britain could no longer aid them economically, Truman sent a message to Congress asking for the United States to help by sending economic and military aid to these countries.

B. Japan
Incorrect. Although the United States would help Japan, it would come later and not under the Truman Doctrine.

C. China
Incorrect. China became a communist country in 1949.

D. East Germany and West Germany
Incorrect. Germany was split during the Yalta Conference in 1945 between four of the main allied nations. Three sectors overseen by France, Great Britain and the United States became West Germany, while the Soviet-controlled sector became East Germany.

Using the map below and your knowledge of social studies, why would President Truman want to help Greece and Turkey?

A. Turkey and Greece would fall to communism and give the Soviet Union access to the Mediterranean Sea.
Correct! If the United States controlled the countries of Greece and Turkey, it would control access to the sea and the United States could stop the spread of communism.

B. Turkey and Greece had supported the axis powers during WWII.
Incorrect. Both countries were occupied by the axis powers countries.

C. Turkey and Greece had supported the Allies during WWII.
Incorrect. Both countries did support the allies during WWII, but it is not the main reason Truman would want to help these countries.

D. Turkey and Greece were in control of their own governments and did not want help from another country.
Incorrect. Both countries were in terrible shape after World War II and needed to rebuild their infrastructures.