Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Social Science Practice Test

Which of the following was a direct consequence of the U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War?

1. Support for communism in South East Asia

2. Formation of the Warsaw Pact

3. Intervention in Latin America

4. Non-involvement in European affairs

The correct answer is: Intervention in Latin America

The intervention in Latin America during the Cold War was a significant direct consequence of U.S. foreign policy, primarily aimed at curbing the spread of communism in the region. The U.S. adopted a strategy of containment, which included various forms of intervention, from economic aid to military involvement, to support anti-communist regimes and movements. This included actions such as the Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba, support for the overthrow of democratically elected governments, and backing authoritarian regimes that aligned with U.S. interests. U.S. interventions were justified under the premise of protecting democracy and stability in the Western Hemisphere, but they often led to significant political and social upheaval. For example, the support for the military coup in Chile in 1973 resulted in a long dictatorship marked by human rights violations. These actions reflected the broader Cold War context, where U.S. policymakers were deeply concerned about the influence of the Soviet Union and its allies in Latin America, leading to a pattern of direct involvement in regional affairs. The other choices, such as the support for communism in Southeast Asia, the formation of the Warsaw Pact, and non-involvement in European affairs, do not accurately capture the direct consequences of U.S. policy during this era