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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How was the situation changing in South Vietnam in early 1965?
(a) The Buddhists were becoming more restive.
(b) The Communists were winning more territory.
(c) The civilians were becoming more passive.
(d) The government was losing credibility.

2. What does Halberstam say affected the American attitude toward the war?
(a) International resistance to the war.
(b) The American election schedule.
(c) The civil rights struggle in America.
(d) The American media coverage.

3. What does Halberstam say happened when control shifted out of Taylor's hands in March and April 1965?
(a) Reports began to be closer to actual realities.
(b) Reports began to describe American troops' atrocities.
(c) Reports began to be issued with greater frequency.
(d) Reports began to reduce estimations of Vietcong troop strength.

4. What was McNamara beginning to suspect in Vietnam?
(a) Diem's trustworthiness.
(b) The patience of the American electorate.
(c) The capacity for victory in a guerilla war.
(d) The accuracy of bleak military reports.

5. What does Halberstam say was the beginning of the 'credibility gap'?
(a) When the military gave the government falsified reports on progress in Vietnam.
(b) When U.S. deaths in Vietnam were withheld.
(c) When the media began to exploit photographs to build opposition to the war.
(d) When the government's figures were revised to protect Johnson's Great Society program.

6. What does Halberstam say became clear by the time Rolling Thunder had been in effect for six weeks?
(a) That it was only a matter of time until Hanoi capitulated.
(b) That Rolling Thunder was not breaking the North's resistance.
(c) That Rolling Thunder was not going to make Hanoi capitulate.
(d) That Rolling Thunder was breaking the Vietcong supply routes.

7. What pressure does Halberstam say the events of September and October of 1963 relieved for Kennedy?
(a) He felt like he was finally hitting his stride in the presidency.
(b) He no longer felt the need to prove himself to Kruschev.
(c) He no longer felt the political pressure to deliver a victory.
(d) He was relieved of budgetary pressure.

8. What does Halberstam say was decided at the April 20, 1965 meeting in Honolulu?
(a) The military refused to provide reports from field commanders.
(b) The military agreed to increased troop usage.
(c) The military shifted to search-and-destroy missions exclusively.
(d) The military reduced troop levels.

9. How did McNamara's position on bombing change over time?
(a) After a year, he reversed his position entirely.
(b) After a few months, he was convinced of bombing's effectiveness.
(c) Years later, he would say that he had doubts about how useful bombing would be.
(d) After the first weeks, he was sure that bombing would end the war.

10. What does Halberstam say was the effect of the Gulf of Tonkin incident on the U.S. government?
(a) It strengthened U.S. resolve to win in Vietnam.
(b) It led some to question the legality of the war.
(c) It demonstrated that American strategy was working.
(d) It convinced Americans that the war was senseless.

11. Why did President Johnson authorize bombing attacks on North Vietnam, in Halberstam's account?
(a) He thought that an overwhelming display of force would convince other nations in the region to accept American influence.
(b) He believed that if Vietnam went Communist, the rest of the region would turn Communist as well.
(c) He thought that bombing was a final resort, and after it failed, he could strategically withdraw.
(d) He thought that breaking Vietcong resistance would create trade opportunities for American companies.

12. What kind of problem does Halberstam say the cost of the war caused for the Johnson administration?
(a) Budget problems.
(b) Public relations problems.
(c) Moral problems.
(d) Disclosure problems.

13. What stance does Halberstam say the administration took as the public sentiment deteriorated?
(a) It became more defensive.
(b) It became more repressive.
(c) It became more removed.
(d) It became less forthcoming.

14. What problem does Halberstam say Maxwell Taylor had in Vietnam?
(a) Taylor could not understand how the Vietcong withstood the bombings.
(b) Taylor could not get honest reporting.
(c) Taylor could not convince his superiors that conditions were bad.
(d) Taylor could not control things like he had elsewhere.

15. Who was named commander of American forces in Vietnam in June 1964?
(a) Averell Harriman.
(b) Maxwell Taylor.
(c) General Harkins.
(d) General William C. Westmoreland.

Short Answer Questions

1. What evidence does Halberstam say the President was presented with to make the case for bombing?

2. What does Halberstam say was the purpose of operation Rolling Thunder?

3. How does Halberstam define the flash point?

4. What does Halberstam say was the military's opinion after the start of Rolling Thunder?

5. Who does Halberstam say eventually took on the role of setting the tone for Vietnam policy?

(see the answer keys)

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