View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who said "war is impossible . . . there is no alternative to peace" (104)?
(a) Theodore Sorensen.
(b) Thomas Schelling.
(c) Dwight D. Eisenhower.
(d) Robert McNamara.

2. When the Soviet Union refused to acknowledge the blockade, how often were low level flights conducted over Cuba?
(a) Once a day.
(b) Every hour.
(c) Five times a day.
(d) Every two hours.

3. What does Robert believe had a "major psychological and practical effect on the Russians and changed our position . . . into a country acting in accordance with twenty allies legally protecting their position" (92)?
(a) The African countries voicing support.
(b) Congressional approval.
(c) Support from the OAS.
(d) A declaration of war.

4. According to the afterword, what would choosing nuclear war mean?
(a) Peace for remaining countries.
(b) Rising hostilities.
(c) Mutual homicide.
(d) Mutual superiority.

5. What does Robert claim can "best be judged by conflict, by debate" (86)?
(a) Business.
(b) Life.
(c) Opinion.
(d) Leaders.

Short Answer Questions

1. What two items were added to the embargo list after the successful boarding of the Marucla?

2. Which country does Robert identify that originally doubted the U.S.'s position regarding Cuba?

3. Who wrote, "there is just no foreseeable route by which the United States and Soviet Union could become involved in a major nuclear war" (104)?

4. According to all of the discussions of removing missiles from Cuba, who would oversee the removal to be sure it was done?

5. Who said, "I am not in an American courtroom, sir, and therefore I do not wish to answer a question that is put to me in the fashion in which a prosecutor puts questions" (58)?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Africa play a role in the Cuban Missile Crisis?

2. After the Soviet's agree to a stand down, JFK makes an analogy between himself and Abraham Lincoln. What does he say and what does it mean?

3. According to Robert, how did time before the crisis was publicized effect the President's decisions?

4. In the letter received October 26th, what does Khrushchev claim is the reason he sent weapons to Cuba?

5. How does an official from the Soviet Embassy deliver a message in an unorthodox manner? Why is it thought to be credible? What was the message?

6. Why did JFK choose the Marucla for the first vessel to be boarded?

7. What did the letter received October 23rd from Khrushchev imply about the U.S. and the repercussions the U.S. may expect?

8. Analyze the simile "the leaders who lived through the crisis felt what it was like to peer over the precipice" (104)?

9. In the letter drafted by Robert and Sorenson in response to Khrushchev's letter received October 26th, what is the "first ingredient" (79) to a peaceful arrangement? Why?

10. What does Robert tell is the final lesson learned in the Cuban Missile Crisis?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,258 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample