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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. What event propelled the United States into WWII?

2. Harry Truman always carried a favorite poem in his wallet. What was that poem and the author?

3. Why does the Truman family move to Kansas City? .

4. When Truman sends Harry Hopkins to talk to Stalin, he says "use diplomatic language or what?"

5. Why did Truman vote against the reappointment of District Attorney Milligan?

Short Essay Questions

1. The author entitled Chapter 8 "Numbered Days." Whose days are being referred to here?

2. Why do you think Truman was bored with any jobs other than politics?

3. Tom Pedergast was considered a villain by some, and a Robin Hood by others. Why?

4. Was trench warfare a reasonable strategy of fighting a war? Why or why not?

5. Uncle Harrison is mentioned many times in the early chapters of the book as someone Truman admired and enjoyed. Why?

6. Bess Wallace is considered "ideal" by Harry, and is well respected by the other children. What qualities does she display that make her ideal, and do you think she would be popular by today's standards?

7. This chapter is entitled "The Senator from Pendergast" and not "The Senator from Missouri." Why?

8. The primary candidate, Roosevelt, did not appear at the Democratic convention in 1944, and his preference for Vice President was not clear. How did this affect those in charge of the Party at the convention?

9. What experience does Truman bring to this Senate investigation? Outline specifically which jobs he held in the past that would contribute to his ability to lead this important committee.

10. Truman is placed in charge of one of the most unruly battery divisions in the Army, yet he forms them into one of the most efficient and admired in his Battalion. How did he do this? .

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Why were Americans, and southern Democrats in particular, so opposed to the inclusion of minorities in the rights of other Americans?

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 5, Harry Truman changes from a military man to a business man, then to a politician. Describe in detail how each of these factors contributed to his discovering that his true calling was politics: 1) his upbringing, 2) his marriage, 3) his work ethics, 4) his environment, 5) the national economy, 6) the politics of his home state, 7) the lessons learned in the military and in the retail business.

Essay Topic 3

Harry Truman wanted to wait to marry until he had income and a future, and Bess waited patiently for years. Why do you think these young people did not just get married and live with family until they could move out on their own?

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