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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapters 18-19.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What event early in WWII does Isaacson quote John McCloy as calling, "...regrettable in the clear light of perfect hindsight"?
(a) Roosevelt's decision to prioritize the war in Europe rather than the Pacific.
(b) The relocation of citizens of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast.
(c) Becoming an ally with the Soviet Union.
(d) Naming Douglas MacArthur as Supreme Allied Commander in the Pacific.

2. Where does Isaacson claim Averell Harriman was when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941?
(a) He was visiting Winston Churchill in his country home in Chequers.
(b) He was in a movie house wathcing Ninotchka.
(c) He was at his desk in the War Department.
(d) He was having a picnic with his wife at his Maryland farm.

3. What decision did Secretary of State Edward Stettinius make that Isaacson claimed frustrated Harriman?
(a) Stettinius began the process of cutting Russia out of any post-war decsions.
(b) Stettinius began direct negotiations with Stalin.
(c) Stettinius ordered Harriman to stay in Russia during the aftermath of Roosevelt's death.
(d) Stettinius ordered Harriman's replacement as Ambassador to Russia.

4. What does Isaacson suggest was a practical challenge that Truman faced when he began his presidency?
(a) Some people were not aware that he was the Vice President.
(b) He was not well versed in foreign policy.
(c) Truman was replacing Roosevelt who had become identifiable with the presidency.
(d) Truman, as vice president, had not been part of any post-war planning meetings nor had he been given any military secrets, such as the existence of the atomic bomb.

5. Who does Isaacson report to have offered proposals that the United States develop an intelligence-gathering system?
(a) George Kennan.
(b) General Hoyt Vandenberg.
(c) Dean Acheson.
(d) James Forrestal.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Isaacson claim Joseph Stalin's temperament changed between Harriman's first and second meetings?

2. How does Isaacson claim President Truman planned to fight for support for the Marshall Plan in Congress?

3. Who convinced one of the "Wise Men" to stop doing business with the Russian communists, according to Isaacson?

4. Which of the "Wise Men" does Isaacson report to be the son of a wealthy railway tycoon?

5. Where does Isaacson claim George Kennan served the government in lieu of paying the expenses of attending law school?

(see the answer key)

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