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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What might have happened to the President if he had not acted?
(a) Public humiliation.
(b) Death.
(c) Impeachment.
(d) Nothing.

2. What was Robert's main argument against a surprise attack?
(a) America's traditions and history.
(b) Ineffectiveness of attack.
(c) Cowardice of surprise.
(d) Christian morality.

3. How many Americans could potentially have died within minutes of the known missiles being fired off as of October 18th?
(a) Eighty million.
(b) Eight hundred.
(c) Eight million.
(d) Eighty thousand.

4. Which group was created "for the purpose of effective conduct of the operations of the executive branch in the current crisis" (45)?
(a) The Cabinet.
(b) Executive Committee of the National Security Council.
(c) Organization of American States.
(d) Joint Chiefs of Staff.

5. While Ex Comm was making final decisions regarding their recommendations, JFK was where?
(a) New York.
(b) Russia.
(c) Chicago.
(d) Washington D.C.

6. Who was U Thant?
(a) Soviet Ambassador to the United Nations.
(b) Secretary of Defense.
(c) Acting Secretary General of the United Nations.
(d) Soviet Chairman.

7. After the announcement to the nation, how often would Ex Comm meet?
(a) Every four hours.
(b) Every day at 10:00 a.m.
(c) As needed.
(d) Once a week.

8. When Robert meets with Dobrynin after the blockade is put into effect, what does Dobrynin say the ships will do?
(a) Continue as planned.
(b) Take military action against boarders.
(c) Turn back to Russia.
(d) Re-route to another country.

9. What was JFK's feeling after meeting with a Russian representative after learning about missiles in Cuba?
(a) Depressed.
(b) Content.
(c) Displeased.
(d) Rage.

10. In which branch of government does Robert believe rank often plays a role?
(a) Legislative.
(b) Executive.
(c) Congressional.
(d) Judicial.

11. Who wrote the note saying, "I now know how Tojo felt when he was planning Pearl Harbor" (24)?
(a) Robert F. Kennedy.
(b) Lyndon B. Johnson.
(c) John McCone.
(d) John F. Kennedy.

12. What did JFK order into the air at all times until the crisis was over?
(a) Helicopters with anti-missile equipment.
(b) B-52 bombers with atomic weapons.
(c) U-2's to take photographs.
(d) Nothing, all of the action was at sea for the blockade.

13. In the section "Tuesday morning, October 16, 1962 . . .," why were initial reports of missiles in Cuba not passed on to the President?
(a) They needed to be rechecked.
(b) They were lies.
(c) They were passed on to the President, but were ignored.
(d) They were reports from double agents.

14. Who presented the United States case to the United Nations?
(a) JFK and Robert Kennedy.
(b) Adlai Stevenson and John McCloy.
(c) David Shoup and John LeMay.
(d) John McCone and Robert McNamara.

15. On October 18th, photographs showed what disturbing new information?
(a) The missiles were complete.
(b) There were no missiles, it was a mistake.
(c) The Cubans were testing missiles.
(d) Atomic missiles were being directed at certain American cities.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who said, "they, no more than we, can let these things go by without doing something. They can't after all their statements, permit us to take out their missiles, kill a lot of Russians, and then do nothing. If they don't take action in Cuba, they certainly will in Berlin" (28)?

2. What piece of information caused JFK to favor the blockade?

3. What does "Ex Comm" stand for?

4. Who said, "if the Russians' response makes a military action or invasion inevitable, I want to be able to feel that we will not have to waste any days having to get ready" (47).

5. After making his decision, when was the President's speech to the nation scheduled for?

(see the answer keys)

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