Topic 19 Assessment

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1. Explain Economic Collapse Look at the above chart. Write a paragraph that explains why East Germany's communist command economy could not compete with West Germany's free market economy. Consider the cost of durable consumer goods, the cost of food, and the economic systems of both countries.
2. Describe Effects Write one or two paragraphs describing how the fear of communism impacted U.S. social and political systems after World War II. Consider Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee, anti-communist propaganda, and how Americans reacted to the perceived threat.

3. Describe Effects Read the quote below. Write one or two paragraphs describing how the “iron curtain” influenced political and economic systems after World War II. Consider the Truman Doctrine, aid to Europe, and Eastern and Western alliances.

   “An ‘iron curtain' has descended across the Continent. Behind that line all of the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe … all these famous cities … lie in what I must call the Soviet sphere, and are subject … to a great measure of control from Moscow.”

   —Winston Churchill

4. Summarize Outcomes and Identify Major Events Write one or two paragraphs about how the outcome of World War II lead to the Cold War and the arms race. Consider the joint occupation of Germany, opposing U.S. and Soviet goals in Eastern Europe, the nuclear arms race, and Western actions in occupying Japan and Italy.
5. Summarize Role and Differences Write a paragraph about how communism implemented by Mao Zedong in China differed from Soviet communism. Consider the roles of the Chinese peasantry, the goals of Mao's Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution.
6. Identify Examples Write a paragraph that explains how the Chinese Communist Party used violence and murder for political means. Consider which groups the government targeted, how religious groups were treated, the Cultural Revolution, and why Mao wanted the threat of violence to be publicized.
7. Identify and Describe Write a paragraph that identifies Natan Sharansky and other citizen-activists who worked for political change during the Cold War era. Consider why Sharansky was imprisoned and identify and describe other leaders who fought for workers' rights and human rights.
8. Identify Events Write a paragraph about how the Vietnam War became a major event of the Cold War. Consider what happened to Vietnam during World War II, the split that created the countries of North Vietnam and South Vietnam, and why the United States got involved.

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