Question

question 18
which of the following was not a reason historians give for the united states decision to drop the atomic bomb in japan during war world ii
signal to the soviet union the military power of the united states
save american lives by avoiding an invasion of the japanese mainland
to prove to skeptics that the bomb would actually detonate
the military often did not draw a distinction between civilian and military deaths in bombing campaigns.
question 19
george f. kennans containment policy was based on
the belief that the soviet union would retreat from its expansionist efforts in the face of superior force.
the belief a hard - line foreign policy would have little effect on the soviet unions expansionist policies.
the belief the expansion of communism into southeast asia was inevitable.
the belief the spread of communism could be contained if the united states ignored the soviet union in world affairs.

Explanation:

For Question 18:

• Signaling to the Soviet Union about U.S. military power was a factor (Cold - War - related geopolitical consideration).
• Saving American lives by avoiding a mainland invasion was a stated reason (military - casualty - reduction argument).
• The military's lack of distinction between civilian and military deaths in bombing campaigns was in line with strategic bombing doctrines of the time.
• Proving to skeptics that the bomb would detonate was not a historical reason given for the decision. The bomb had already been tested (Trinity test), and the decision was more about its use as a strategic weapon.

For Question 19:

• George F. Kennan's containment policy was based on the belief that the Soviet Union would retreat from its expansionist efforts in the face of superior force. This was a key tenet of the containment strategy, which aimed to use political, economic, and military means (where appropriate) to “contain” Soviet influence.
• The belief that a hard - line foreign policy would have little effect is contrary to containment (which was a form of hard - line policy in the context of the Cold War).
• The belief that the expansion of communism into Southeast Asia was inevitable is against the spirit of containment (which aimed to prevent such expansion).
• Ignoring the Soviet Union in world affairs would not be a way to contain communism; active engagement (in a non - war, containment sense) was part of the policy.

Answer:

Question 18: C. To prove to skeptics that the bomb would actually detonate
Question 19: A. the belief that the Soviet Union would retreat from its expansionist efforts in the face of superior force