Global Depression and the Rise of Dictatorships
How did businesses' cost‑cutting during the Great Depression affect workers?
Workers were laid off, increasing unemployment and hardship.
World War II 100 — Which surprise attack brought the United States into World War II?
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Name one main ideological difference between capitalism and communism.
Capitalism: private ownership and markets; Communism: state control of resources
Which democratic process best shows community input for deciding projects: public meetings & council vote, mayor alone, expert only, or postpone? (choose one
Public meetings + council vote (democratic process)
Which economy relies on customs and barter: traditional, market, command, or mixed?
200 — If a new pizza shop lowers prices and wages, what is one likely effect on other local pizza businesses?
Traditional economy
Which U.S. law raised tariffs early in the Depression and led to higher prices and foreign retaliation?
Smoot‑Hawley Tariff.
What was the major international organization formed after WWII to promote global cooperation?
United Nations.
What was the arms race and how did it affect global security? (short answer)
Rapid buildup of nuclear arsenals, increasing global tension and deterrence
Which proposal better handles school drop‑off traffic if families, safety, and weather are considered: making parents use distant drop zones or changing school start times? (choose & justify in one sentence)
Changing start times (Proposal B) usually better — spreads traffic and accounts for conditions
If a new pizza shop lowers prices and wages, what is one likely effect on other local pizza businesses?
Competitors may lower prices, change wages, or improve quality to stay competitive
Explain one way poor farming practices on the Great Plains contributed to economic problems during the Depression.
Over‑plowing/overuse damaged soil → dust storms and farm failures
Why was the Battle of Midway important?
Midway turned the momentum to the U.S. in the Pacific (stopped Japanese expansion)
Define a "proxy war" and give one example of how proxy wars affected international alliances.
Proxy war: fought by allies instead of direct U.S.–USSR conflict (e.g., Korea or Vietnam), shifting regional alliances
A city rule forces businesses to close by 8 p.m. What are two likely community consequences (one economic, one social)?
Lower energy use but reduced revenue for businesses, job hours cut, and changed shopping patterns
Maria Rodriguez’s bakery: cupcakes have 40% profit margin and high demand. Which decision best increases profits given space and loans available? (choose & explain in one sentence)
Increase cupcake production, hire bakers, consider loans to expand kitchen
Which three leaders are examples of dictators who rose to power before WWII and what two tactics did they use to gain support? (Name leaders and two tactics.)
Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin; used propaganda, promises to end crises, and fear/intimidation.
How did the use of atomic bombs on Japan influence the end of World War II? (give one economic or political motivation)
To avoid costly invasion and limit Soviet influence; forced a quick Japanese surrender.
Compare how civil liberties differed in the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War (one example each).
U.S.: greater freedom of speech; USSR: strict censorship and limited dissent.
Describe how protecting sea turtle nesting sites is a local, state, and global issue (brief explanation).
Local volunteers + town rules (local), state wildlife enforcement (state), international groups providing support (global).
How did the Smoot‑Hawley Tariff Act affect American exports? (short answer)
It led to retaliatory tariffs and hurt American exports.
Describe two economic effects of the Great Depression that influenced both individuals and businesses (use cause → effect language).
Examples: Consumer demand fell → businesses closed; mass unemployment → increased poverty and need for public relief.
Give two ways WWII changed international relations that still matter today (one political, one economic).
Examples: formation of the UN; start of U.S.–USSR rivalry, shaping alliances and institutions like NATO.
Explain one lasting political effect of the end of the Cold War on former Soviet territories.
Growth of democracies in Eastern Europe; new national boundaries and governments.
Given limited funding for traffic from population growth, identify one challenge and one opportunity for the city and explain why each matters.
limited funding; Opportunity: invest in public transport innovations to reduce traffic and pollution.
Explain how automation changes the job market: name one group hurt and one group helped, and why.
Factory workers may lose jobs; tech workers may be in higher demand as automation grows.