AP U.S. History Practice Quiz: The End of the Cold War
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 10 questions to check your progress.
Question 1 of 10
All Questions (10)
A) A significant reduction in the U.S. nuclear arsenal to promote peace.
B) A buildup of nuclear and conventional weapons.
C) The establishment of broad economic partnerships with the Soviet Union.
D) A policy of non-intervention in global affairs.
Correct Answer: B
The text explicitly states that Reagan asserted U.S. opposition to communism through methods that included 'a buildup of nuclear and conventional weapons.' The other options contradict the provided information.
A) the singular success of Reagan's diplomatic initiatives.
B) the collapse of the Soviet economy, with little influence from the United States.
C) a combination of U.S. policies and internal problems within the Soviet bloc.
D) a series of successful U.S. military interventions in Eastern Europe.
Correct Answer: C
The text indicates a multi-causal explanation, stating that 'Increased U.S. military spending, Reagan’s diplomatic initiatives, and political and economic problems in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union were all important in ending the Cold War.' This option best synthesizes these contributing factors.
A) A permanent shift to an isolationist foreign policy.
B) An end to all debates regarding the use of American power.
C) The emergence of new military and peacekeeping interventions.
D) The complete dismantlement of the U.S. military-industrial complex.
Correct Answer: C
The text states that 'The end of the Cold War led to new diplomatic relationships but also new U.S. military and peacekeeping interventions,' identifying this as a key outcome of the period.
A) A buildup of nuclear and conventional weapons.
B) Increased U.S. military spending.
C) Internal political and economic problems.
D) Reagan's diplomatic initiatives.
Correct Answer: C
The text lists 'political and economic problems in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union' as a key factor. This is distinct from the U.S.-led actions also mentioned, such as military spending and diplomacy.
A) speeches and diplomatic efforts.
B) a buildup of military weapons.
C) proposing a military alliance with the Soviet Union.
D) limited military interventions.
Correct Answer: C
The text lists speeches, diplomacy, military interventions, and a weapons buildup as Reagan's methods of opposition. Proposing a military alliance would be an act of cooperation, not opposition, and is not mentioned in the text.
A) The U.S. achieved a final consensus on how to use its power, ending internal foreign policy debates.
B) The U.S. entered a new era characterized by new international relationships and ongoing discussions about its global role.
C) The U.S. immediately withdrew from global affairs to focus on domestic policy.
D) The U.S. foreign policy mission became solely focused on peacekeeping without military involvement.
Correct Answer: B
This option correctly synthesizes the information that the end of the Cold War led to 'new diplomatic relationships' and 'new U.S. military and peacekeeping interventions,' as well as 'continued debates over the appropriate use of American power in the world.'
A) The beginning of the Cold War.
B) The resolution of political problems in Eastern Europe.
C) The successful conclusion of the Cold War.
D) The reduction of U.S. peacekeeping missions.
Correct Answer: C
The text explicitly lists 'Increased U.S. military spending' as one of the factors that 'were all important in ending the Cold War,' establishing a direct link between this policy and the outcome.
A) Reagan asserted U.S. opposition to communism through speeches.
B) The end of the Cold War led to new diplomatic relationships.
C) U.S. military spending, Reagan's diplomacy, and Soviet economic problems were all important factors.
D) The U.S. engaged in new military and peacekeeping interventions after the Cold War.
Correct Answer: C
This option directly reflects the text's multi-faceted explanation for the end of the Cold War, supporting the argument that a variety of pressures (U.S. military, U.S. diplomatic, and internal Soviet issues) contributed to the outcome.
A) The difficulty of containing communist expansion in the Americas.
B) The persistent disagreement over the proper role and use of U.S. global power.
C) The economic burden of rebuilding the former Soviet Union.
D) The threat of a renewed arms race with a unified Europe.
Correct Answer: B
The text concludes by noting that the legacy included 'continued debates over the appropriate use of American power in the world,' which directly points to an ongoing challenge for the U.S.
A) Isolationist.
B) Exclusively diplomatic.
C) Multi-faceted and assertive.
D) Economically focused.
Correct Answer: C
The text describes Reagan's approach as using 'speeches, diplomatic efforts, limited military interventions, and a buildup of nuclear and conventional weapons.' This range of actions supports the description 'multi-faceted and assertive.'