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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. Robert describes the conflict in Cuba as one between two atomic nations. What are the two atomic nations he refers to?
(a) Berlin and Cuba.
(b) US and Germany.
(c) US and Cuba.
(d) US and USSR.

2. What type of non-fiction is Thirteen Days?
(a) Textbook.
(b) Essay.
(c) Biography.
(d) Memoir.

3. What did Robert suggest JFK do on September 4th regarding the possibility of Russia placing missiles in Cuba?
(a) Threaten Soviet Chairman Nikita Khrushchev.
(b) Issue a statement of good will.
(c) Issue a statement that it would not be tolerated.
(d) Bomb Cuba.

4. What did Robert sarcastically claim to be the advantage to being wrong in the case of military action?
(a) No one would be around to know.
(b) All of the enemies would be destroyed.
(c) It was favored by the American people.
(d) America's nuclear power would keep other countries from voicing disapproval.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. When looking at the first photographs of the missile bases in Cuba, what did JFK say it looked like?

2. What position did John McCloy one hold?

3. How far was the original line of interception for the blockade?

4. What might have happened to the President if he had not acted?

5. What was JFK's feeling after meeting with a Russian representative after learning about missiles in Cuba?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Ex Comm formulate their recommendations to the President?

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

3. How did JFK feel about the reaction from Congress when he informed them about the crisis and his plans?

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

5. 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?

6. What other actions did the U.S. take besides the blockade?

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

8. How did RFK feel about his fellow members of in Ex Comm?

9. How did the US obtain their information about Russian activity in Cuba?

10. What did Ambassador Dobrynin provide as evidence that USSR would not be a threat to the United States?

(see the answer keys)

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