S & SE Asia History Mid-Unit Test Study Guide – Answer Key

India’s Independence Movement

  1. Mohandas Gandhi advocated the policy of satyagraha. This is [passive resistance] against the colonial powers that ruled over India.

Satyagrahais a Sanskrit term that can be translated as “the firmness of truth.” Gandhi used this term to urge his fellow citizens to usepassive resistance against the colonial powers that ruled India, for he believed that peaceful demonstrations against tyrannical rule would result in his country’s independence from Great Britainwithoutbloodshed. He was right. And remember: passive/non-violent does is STILL confrontational.

  1. India was partitioned in 1947 in order to create [Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Hindu-dominated Union of India].

The “partition” of India in 1947 resulted inthe creation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Hindu-dominated Union of India. This caused great concern to Mohandas Gandhi, who believed that anything less than an independent India united across religious differences would be detrimental to his country’s safety and peace. He was right, as violence and massive population movements occurred along the newly-drawn borders of the Pakistan and India.

  1. The division between India and Pakistan in 1947 was mainly due to [religious] issues.

The division between India and Pakistan in 1947 was mainly due toreligious issues.The two religions associated with the differences are Hindu (India) and Islam (Pakistan). These religious groups could not agree on representation in the new Indian government.

  1. Gandhi sought to promote nationalism in India based on [political independence from Britain].

During Gandhi's life, he peacefully demonstrated for India'spolitical independence from Britain.This was finally achieved in 1947.

  1. The phrase “Indian independence movement” refers to the Indian effort to break free from the rule of [Britain].

Britaincalled India the “jewel” in its crown. The Indian National Congress led the movement toward independence in the latter part of the 1800s. Militant nationalism began during World War I.

Communism in China

  1. The image is from an anti-government demonstration in China that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilian protesters in 1989. This incident is commonly called [Tianamen Square].

In June of 1989, Chinese students and intellectuals gathered to mourn the death of a pro-democracy and anti-corruption official, HuYaobang. By the eve of Hu's funeral, 1,000,000 people had gathered atTianamen Square. The resulting military response to the protesters by the Chinese government left many civilians dead or severely injured. The number of deaths is not known and many different estimates exist, some as high as 7,000 people.

  1. Mao Zedong’s Great Leap Forward could best be described as a program designed to change China’s [economy ].

The "Great Leap Forward" was plan to change much of China's society and itseconomy.While it did attempt to do away with many cultural traditions disliked by the Chinese Communist Party, it truly was designed to transform China from a farming-based country to a more modern industrial country. Because of the inefficiency of the programs, the "Great Leap Forward" was a failure, prompting many historians to call it -yes, you guessed it- the "Great LeapBackward.

  1. In the spring of 1989, thousands of protesters gathered in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. They rallied around a plaster statue that resembled the Statue of Liberty which they called the Goddess of Democracy. These protesters were seeking [political reforms].

Protesters in Tiananmen Square rallied to gainpolitical reforms to allow more freedom of speech and political representation. The Chinese government was unwilling to make these democratic concessions. Chinese soldiers and tanks violently ousted the protesters, many of whom were arrested.

  1. The overall goal of the Cultural Revolution in China was to [remove capitalism and reinforce communism].

It can be said that the overall goal of the Chinese Cultural Revolution was toremove capitalist impulses from the population and reenforce communist doctrine. This was done in many ways, but one method was to send western-educated people, such as doctors and professors, to live and work with Chinese peasants.

  1. Since the death of Mao Zedong, China has had the most success in [economic growth and private ownership].

Economic growth and private ownershipis the area China has experienced the most success in reforming since the death of Mao Zedong. China has undergone criticism for the Tiananmen Square protests, human rights violations and censorship but has experienced tremendous economic growth and a growing middle and upper-middle class since the 1980's.

  1. The Great Leap Forward was intended to transform China from an [agricultural] society into an [industrial].

The statement that BEST describes the goals of Mao Zedong's policy known as the "Great Leap Forward" wereto transform China from an agricultural society into an industrialized nation.Mao focused on collective farming and small scale steel production. The unintended results were that there was widespread problems with food production and the steel was not efficiently made.

Involvement in Japan

  1. The US played a MAJOR role in the rebuilding of Japan after WWII in order to [turn Japan into a democratic ally].

Following World War II, the United States put much money into the rebuilding of Japan. True, the U.S. had just defeated them, but now thatthatconflict was over, the U.S. had the "Cold War" on its mind. There was a thought that the Soviet Union might become involved in Japan, possibly turning them into a communist state. By investing money in the rebuilding of their conquered for, the United States hopedto turn an enemy into an ally and to create a more democratic Japan.

  1. Following WWII, Japan became an [ally] of the United States. This led to rapid [economic] growth.

Following its defeat in World War II, Japan was occupied by the United States and underwent widespread military, political, economic, and social reforms. WhenJapan became an ally of the United States, the United States helped rebuild the Japanese economy and the two countries entered a trade relationship that is still in place today.

  1. Which statement below BEST describes the relationship of the US and Japan after WWII?

The US helped Japan rebuild economically and socially after WWII and has maintained a peaceful relationship.

The statement that BEST describes the relationship of the U.S. and Japan after World War II is that thethe U.S. helped Japan rebuild economically and socially after World War II and has maintained a peaceful relationship.The U.S. helped Japan create a democratic government and focus their efforts on creating a stable economy. Japan and the U.S. remain allies.

  1. One post WWII reform that took place in Japan under the US’s guidance was [Japan adopting a new constitution and democratic government].

One post World War II reform that took place in Japan under the U.S.'s guidance is thatJapan adopted a new constitution and democratic government.Japan began a new parliament, allowed women to vote and elect a prime minister. The emperor is now just a figurehead.

"We, the Japanese people, acting through our duly elected representatives in the National Diet, determined that we shall secure for ourselves and our posterity the fruits of peaceful cooperation with all nations and the blessings of liberty throughout this land, and resolved that never again shall we be visited with the horrors of war through the action of government, do proclaim that sovereign power resides with the people and do firmly establish this Constitution."
- Preamble of Japan's Constitution, effective May 3, 1947
  1. Based on this excerpt from the Japanese Constitution (above), which statement is CORRECT?

The Preamble reflects the influence of the United States after World War II.
The Preamble of the Japanese Constitutionreflects the influence of the United States after World War II.The U.S. played a major role in the rebuilding of Japan- both physically and politically- following the end of the war in 1945.
Article 1
The Emperor shall be the symbol of the State and of the unity of the People, deriving his position from the will of the people with whom resides sovereign power.
Article 2
The Imperial Throne shall be dynastic and succeeded to in accordance with the Imperial House Law passed by the Diet.
Article 23
Academic freedom is guaranteed.
Article 42
The Diet shall consist of two Houses, namely the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.
  1. Which of articles (above) from the Japanese Constitution BEST demonstrates the U.S. influence on Japan following World War II?

Article 42is the BEST example of the U.S. influence on Japan following the end of World War II. The "Diet" refers to Japan's Congress, and the "House of Representatives" and "the House of Councillors" are its two branches.

  1. The US wanted to overtake the rebuilding of Japan in 1945 because [Japan was in a key strategic location in the Pacific].

For the United States in 1945,Japan was in a key strategic location in the Pacific Ocean.Being so close to the eastern portion of the Soviet Union, Japan- the U.S. thought- was at risk of being occupied by the USSR in much the same way Germany had after the war in Europe ended. The U.S. attempted to stave off such a situation by taking a huge role in the rebuilding.

  1. Throughout its history, Japan’s greatest economic challenge has been its [access to productive resources].

Japan’s greatest economic challenge has always been itsaccess to productive resources.Japan is a tiny island nation with lots of mountainous and rocky soil. In the industrial age, they have had to rely on importing oil and steel to fund their impressive economic accomplishments.

Containment of Communism/ Korean War

  1. The best way to describe the outcome of the Korean War is to say [containment was successful].

The U.S. was not able to eliminate the Communist forces in North Korea. However, the official purpose of the war was to contain the Communists there and prevent the entire Korean peninsula from becoming Communist. Since this was the outcome,Containment was successfulis the correct answer.

  1. As part of its policy of containment during the Cold War, the US hoped to keep communist influence in Korea [north of the 38th parallel].

As part of its policy of "containment" during the Cold War, the United States hoped to keep communist influence in Koreanorth of the 38th parallel.At the start of the Korean War in 1950, Communist forces streamed southward over the 38th parallel, but were eventually pushed back across it by American and United Nations forces. When fighting stopped in 1953 the dividing line between the two countries was established roughly along this line of latitude.

  1. Cold War policies in SE Asia are best illustrated by [the US’s support of South Vietnam].

Cold War policies in Southeast Asia are best illustrated bythe United States' support of South Vietnam.North Vietnam's Viet Minh fought a war against France from 1946-1954, and the United States later supported non-communist South Vietnam.

  1. North Korea and South Korea both received help from other nations during the Korean War. North Korea was supported by [China]. South Korea was supported by [US].

In the Korean War,China supported North Korea; the United States supported South Korea. When North Korea invaded South Korea, the United States became involved trying to ensure that the South stayed democratic. China then intervened to ensure North Korea stayed communist.

  1. Two countries of S/SE Asia with communist governments are [China, Vietnam]. (CHOOSE TWO)

China and Vietnamhave communist governments. Each has an economy that is much more open compared to the 1970's and 1980's.

  1. The BEST answer for the result of the Korean War is [North and South Korea remained divided at the 38th Parallel].

The truce that stopped the fighting in the Korean Warleft North Korea and South Korea divided at the 38th Parallel.The North remains communist controlled, while the South practices a western-inspired form of democracy. The war has never officially ended.

  1. What would be placed at the center of the diagram (below)? [The Korean War]

The three issues seen on the outside of the diagram are describingthe Korean War. The war between the Communist and non-Communist halves began in 1953 when the Communist North invaded the South. While fighting stopped in 1953, there has never been an actual peace treaty signed to end the war.

  1. The start of the Korean War is MOST associated with [the spread of Communism].

The Korean Was is MOST associated withthe spread of Communism. The northern portion of Korea (North Korea) had come under the control of Communists after World War II, while the southern part (South Korea) remained allies to the United States. In June of 1950, the North invaded the South, and the war was on.

Vietnam War

  1. The actions of [France] inspired Ho Chi Minh to challenge their colonial authority in Vietnam.

The actions ofFranceinspired Ho Chi Minh to challenge their authority in Vietnam. Their treatment of Vietnam as a colonial power combined with Ho Chi Minh’s western education to create a powerful anti-imperial leader who succeeded in ending European control of Vietnam.

  1. Prior to 1948, North and South Vietnam were a part of [French Indochina].

Prior to 1948, North and South Vietnam were a part ofFrench Indochina.North Vietnam's Viet Minh fought a war against France from 1946 to 1954.

  1. The division of Vietnam into two countries was a result of [Cold War tensions].

The division of Vietnam into two countries was a result ofCold War tensions.It took place following the end of World War II as Communist & non-Communist/Democratic countries clashed. It could also be viewed- from the North Vietnamese perspective- as an anti-imperialist struggle.

  1. The 17th Parallel was important in the Vietnam War because it [divided Vietnam into North and South Vietnam].

The 17th Parallel was chosen as the area that woulddivide Vietnam into North Vietnam and South Vietnam.A DMZ- "Demilitarized Zone"- was created along this line of latitude in hopes of preventing a military conflict. That, in historic terms, is referred to as an "epic fail."