APUSH Chapter 40 Essay Questions

1.             Why was there such strong popular support for McCarthy’s anti-Communist crusade in the early

1950s? Would you have supported his goals? His tactics? Why or why not?

2.             Compare and con ~ Truman’s and Eisenhower’s foreign policies. What was new about the "new look"? What illustrates the basic continuity of the containment doctrine?

3.             Assess the diplomatic and military policies of John Foster Dulles. Do you think they were realistic? Why or why not?

4.             Do you think you would have liked "Ike" in the 1950s? Why or why not? Which of his (a) personal qualities, (b) domestic programs, and (c) foreign-policy decisions do you find most admirable? For what may he be criticized? Why?

5.             Describe President Eisenhower’s response to

a.             McCarthyism.

b.             the civil rights movement.

c.             social-welfare programs of the New Deal.

Do you agree with his views on any one or all of these? Which ones? Why?

6.             In what ways did the Eisenhower administration contribute to the developing American involvement in Vietnam? Why were these decisions made?

7.             Present evidence from the elections of the 1950s that show that "Eisenhower was more popular than his [political] party."

8.             What do you think was the most important

a.             domestic issue or development of the 1950s?

b.             foreign-policy decision or event of the 1950s? Why?

9.             Interpret the text’s authors’ observation that "in Dwight Eisenhower, the man and the hour apparently met." In what way was President Eisenhower "good for," and a reflection of, his times?

10.           Evaluate President Eisenhower’s response to

a.             the fall of Dien Bien Phu.

b.             the Hungarian revolt.

c.             the Suez Crisis.

d.             Castro’s revolution in Cuba.

Was the "right" decision made in each case? Explain.