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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Halberstam say marked the end of the generals' faith in Diem?
(a) The drought and subsequent humanitarian crisis.
(b) The raid on the pagodas.
(c) The influence of American interests on Diem's government.
(d) The backlash against the army after the botched raids on the pagodas.

2. Which of these was NOT a point of disagreement between the White House and the military, in Halberstam's account?
(a) The commitment of advisers.
(b) The use of napalm.
(c) The free fire zones.
(d) The use of jets.

3. Who was Kennedy's military analyst on the 1961 fact-finding mission?
(a) Robert McNamara.
(b) Maxwell Taylor.
(c) Chester Bowles.
(d) McGeorge Bundy.

4. Why did the Americans back down on demands for reform in Vietnam in 1962, in Halberstam's account?
(a) They lost confidence that reforms could be implemented.
(b) Diem had begun to renege on his promises.
(c) Diem could not afford reforms.
(d) Reforms had already been accomplished.

5. How did the Kennedy administration see the war in Vietnam?
(a) As a gift to Asian allies.
(b) As a boon to the military contractors.
(c) As a war against Communism.
(d) As a diversion from domestic problems.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Halberstam say McNamara found people to work under him as Secretary of Defense?

2. What was the recommendation that came out of the fact-finding mission of 1961?

3. How many soldiers had the U.S. sent to Vietnam in its first commitment of troops?

4. What did the fact-finding mission discover at about the time of the problem with the Buddhist monks?

5. What family was McGeorge Bundy descended from?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who was Chester Bowles, and what did Kennedy get by tapping Bowles to be an adviser?

2. What does Halberstam say was Robert McNamara's background before becoming Secretary of Defense?

3. Whom did Kennedy consider for the position of Secretary of State?

4. What kind of reports does Halberstam say the U.S. got from Vietnam?

5. Why does Halberstam say Chester Bowles' popularity faded?

6. What was the American government's relationship with Diem in 1961?

7. How did the situation in Vietnam unfold?

8. Why did Diem and the U.S. end up working together?

9. What were Americans beginning to say with regard to Diem after the Buddhist monk problems began?

10. What was the Kennedy administration's stance with regard to Russia?

(see the answer keys)

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