Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Social Science Practice Test

What best summarizes the foreign policy of the US during the Cold War?

1. the US had a policy of noninvolvement in Latin America

2. the US supported coups against the governments of Iran and Guatemala

3. the US had minimal investments in Latin America

4. the US refused to support abusive regimes in various regions

The correct answer is: the US supported coups against the governments of Iran and Guatemala

The correct choice highlights a significant aspect of U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War, particularly regarding its strategic interests in Latin America and the Middle East. During this era, the U.S. was deeply concerned with the spread of communism and aimed to maintain its influence in regions that were susceptible to communist uprisings or government shifts. Consequently, the United States engaged in covert operations and supported the overthrow of democratically elected or otherwise stable governments that were perceived to lean toward communism or were deemed unfavorable to U.S. interests. In Iran, the CIA orchestrated a coup in 1953 to overthrow Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh following his nationalization of the oil industry, which was heavily dominated by Western interests. Similarly, in Guatemala, the U.S. backed the coup in 1954 against President Jacobo Árbenz, who had implemented land reforms that threatened U.S. business interests. These interventions were motivated by a broader strategy to contain communism and promote U.S. geopolitical goals, reflecting a willingness to support authoritarian regimes if they aligned with American interests, thereby emphasizing the active and sometimes aggressive nature of U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War. The other options suggest a more passive approach or limited engagement, which does not accurately