AP US History: Period 9 (1980–Present) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Ronald Reagan's economic policy, often called 'Reaganomics,' was primarily based on which theory?
- Supply-side economics (Correct answer)
- Keynesian demand stimulus
- Modern monetary theory
- Mercantilism
Correct answer: Supply-side economics
Reaganomics relied on supply-side economics, arguing that tax cuts would spur investment and growth.
Question 2: The Tax Reform Act of 1986 under Reagan is best described as doing what?
- Lowering top rates while closing loopholes (Correct answer)
- Sharply raising income taxes
- Eliminating the federal income tax
- Creating a national sales tax
Correct answer: Lowering top rates while closing loopholes
The 1986 act lowered top marginal rates while eliminating many tax shelters and loopholes.
Question 3: Reagan's appointment of Sandra Day O'Connor in 1981 was historically significant because she was the first woman to do what?
- Serve on the Supreme Court (Correct answer)
- Serve as Secretary of State
- Run for Vice President
- Lead a major political party
Correct answer: Serve on the Supreme Court
Sandra Day O'Connor became the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Question 4: The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), nicknamed 'Star Wars,' was a proposed system to do what?
- Intercept incoming nuclear missiles (Correct answer)
- Launch satellites for the military
- Build offensive space weapons against Cuba
- Replace the Air Force with drones
Correct answer: Intercept incoming nuclear missiles
SDI was a proposed space-based missile defense system to intercept Soviet nuclear missiles.
Question 5: The Iran-Contra affair during Reagan's second term involved secretly selling arms to Iran to fund what?
- Anti-communist Contras in Nicaragua (Correct answer)
- Rebels in Afghanistan
- The Israeli military
- The Salvadoran government
Correct answer: Anti-communist Contras in Nicaragua
Proceeds from secret arms sales to Iran were illegally diverted to fund the Contras in Nicaragua.
Question 6: The rise of the 'New Right' and Moral Majority in the 1980s drew strength primarily from which group?
- Evangelical Christian conservatives (Correct answer)
- Labor union members
- Urban progressives
- Socialist intellectuals
Correct answer: Evangelical Christian conservatives
The Moral Majority mobilized evangelical Christians around social conservative issues.
Question 7: Reagan's response to the 1981 PATCO air traffic controllers' strike was to do what?
- Fire the striking controllers (Correct answer)
- Grant their wage demands
- Negotiate a long-term contract
- Nationalize the airports
Correct answer: Fire the striking controllers
Reagan fired more than 11,000 striking air traffic controllers, signaling a tough stance on unions.
AP US History: Period 9 (1980–Present) 2
Ronald Reagan's economic policy, often called 'Reaganomics,' was primarily based on which theory?