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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Khrushchev claim the Soviet Union has placed missiles in Cuba?

2. When JFK says, "this is the night I should go to the theater" (84), what famous historical figure is he referencing?

3. Who would analyze Khrushchev's personal letter and make recommendations on October 27th?

4. Who wrote the Afterword for Thirteen Days?

5. Robert tells that JFK felt that if what had happened could be considered a triumph, it was only one for who?

Short Essay Questions

1. How was the official letter sent by the Soviets on October 27th different from the letter sent October 26th?

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

4. What does Robert mean when he says "that with respect to nuclear war there is an awesome crack between unlikelihood and impossibility" (105)?

5. 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?

6. Why does Robert claim that "we cannot be an island even if we wished; nor can we successfully separate ourselves from the rest of the world" (94)?

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

8. While still in communications with Khrushchev, RFK writes that "both 'hawks' and 'doves' sensed that our combination of limited force and diplomatic efforts had been unsuccessful" (64). What do the symbolic terms "hawks" and "doves" stand for?

9. What does Robert mean when he writes "no action is taken against a powerful adversary in a vacuum" (96)?

10. What made the prospect of war unbearable to JFK?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The importance of risk as a theme cannot be overlooked in Thirteen Days. With the stakes high for action or inaction, every decision is a risk. In an essay, develop an argument either for or against taking risks in political situations. Identify JFK's attitude toward risk as well as one of his opponents. Conclude with an analysis of risk and the possible repercussions.

Essay Topic 2

The fact that JFK was hesitant to actually stop a ship with the blockade demonstrates that the blockade was more symbolic than meant as an actual solution. In an essay, discuss how the blockade was symbolic. How were JFK's choices regarding the line of interception symbolic? What was symbolic about the first ship intercepted? What message was all of this meant to convey?

Essay Topic 3

The theme of understanding consequences is prevalent in Thirteen Days. Write an essay exploring this theme and its implication to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

(see the answer keys)

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