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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 might have happened to the President if he had not acted?
(a) Public humiliation.
(b) Nothing.
(c) Death.
(d) Impeachment.

2. When did John F. Kennedy call his brother, Robert, to the White House to discuss the photographs taken over Cuba?
(a) October 16, 1962.
(b) October 20, 1964.
(c) October 15, 1964.
(d) September 4, 1962.

3. What is one effect of pressure, according to Robert?
(a) It makes everyone agree.
(b) It leads to quitting.
(c) It causes everyone to cry.
(d) It brings out unknown characteristics and strengths.

4. According to Robert in the section, "It was now up to one single man," what did JFK stress in his speech to the nation?
(a) The U.S. would invade Cuba.
(b) The U.S. was not yet in danger.
(c) The surgical air-strike was the initial step.
(d) The blockade was the initial step.

5. How far was the original line of interception for the blockade?
(a) 750 miles.
(b) 8000 miles.
(c) 800 miles.
(d) 500 miles.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many Americans could potentially have died within minutes of the known missiles being fired off as of October 18th?

2. How did the members of Ex Comm avoid arousing suspicion when visiting the White House at 9:15 at night?

3. What did Adlai Stevenson suggest that offended many members of Ex Comm?

4. What is SAM an acronym for?

5. Who, due to his role in the government, might have been the leader of Ex Comm if he had been able to attend more meetings?

Short Essay Questions

1. What distinguishes Thirteen Days as a memoir (besides the subtitle) and not just an autobiography?

2. What personal insights does RFK provide about JFK when they are waiting for news about the first ships meant to reach the blockade?

3. Why does RFK defend Adlai Stevenson's suggestion?

4. What information did the Intelligence Community have about the missiles in September, but did not inform the President about at that time? Why were they not passed on?

5. How does Berlin factor into the decision making about the Cuban Missile Crisis?

6. How and where did Adlai Stevenson present the photographic evidence of missiles in Cuba?

7. After the blockade takes effect, RFK meets with Dobrynin again. What do they discuss?

8. Why does RFK slip the President a note saying "I now know how Tojo felt when he was planning Pearl Harbor" (25)? How do the situations compare?

9. What was ironic about JFK's meeting with Soviet Foreign Minister Andrea Gromyko?

10. When was Congress told, and how did Congress react to the news of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

(see the answer keys)

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