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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. In the section entitled, "It was now up to one single man," when did JFK hope to broadcast his plan to the nation?
(a) Never.
(b) Monday.
(c) Tuesday.
(d) Sunday.

2. Who presented the argument for a blockade?
(a) Bob McNamara.
(b) Dean Rusk.
(c) John McCone.
(d) Robert Kennedy.

3. 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.

4. What did Adlai Stevenson suggest that offended many members of Ex Comm?
(a) JFK should hold a summit before any action is taken.
(b) Both a blockade and an air strike.
(c) The nuclear bombardment of Cuba.
(d) The U.S. remove weapons from other countries in exchange for Russian removal of missiles.

5. On October 18th, photographs showed what disturbing new information?
(a) Atomic missiles were being directed at certain American cities.
(b) The missiles were complete.
(c) The Cubans were testing missiles.
(d) There were no missiles, it was a mistake.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who said, "they, no more than we, can let these things go by without doing something. They can't after all their statements, permit us to take out their missiles, kill a lot of Russians, and then do nothing. If they don't take action in Cuba, they certainly will in Berlin" (28)?

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

3. What position did Robert hold in the Kennedy administration?

4. What does "Ex Comm" stand for?

5. After the announcement to the nation, how often would Ex Comm meet?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. Why does JFK bring up the book The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman?

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

6. What did the military and JFK do to respond to the submarine situation?

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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