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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 was different about the letter received on the morning of October 27th from the letter received October 26th?
(a) More cooperative.
(b) More formal.
(c) Less aggressive.
(d) More apologetic.

2. What was the "final lesson" (95) learned from the Cuban Missile Crisis?
(a) See the opponents' perspective.
(b) Retreat when necessary.
(c) Push the opponent into a corner.
(d) Hold out until the last minute.

3. What possibility does JFK say everyone must accept if there is an invasion of Cuba?
(a) The U.S. may be unsuccessful.
(b) The Cubans may surrender immediately.
(c) A missile may be fired at the U.S.
(d) The Russians may immediately fire nuclear weapons.

4. Who said "we are now in an entirely new ball game" (74)?
(a) Anderson.
(b) McNamara.
(c) JFK.
(d) Robert Kennedy.

5. Who was the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis?
(a) Dwight D. Eisenhower.
(b) J. Edgar. Hoover.
(c) John Scali.
(d) Ronald Reagan.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who said, " You are in the courtroom of world opinion right now, and you can answer yes or no. You have denied that they exist, and I want to know whether or I have understood you correctly" (58)?

2. According to the Afterword, the Cuban Missile Crisis is important on how many levels?

3. What did the ex-Chancellor of Germany at the outbreak of the First World War ask his successor?

4. Who handles all international problems for the U.S.?

5. According to the Afterword, what did victory mean pre-1945?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Robert mean when he says "that with respect to nuclear war there is an awesome crack between unlikelihood and impossibility" (105)?

2. When the crisis was over, why did Kennedy not make a statement assigning credit for the success? And why did he instruct all involved not to provide one either?

3. Why does Robert believe that a devil's advocate is necessary for the President?

4. How does an official from the Soviet Embassy deliver a message in an unorthodox manner? Why is it thought to be credible? What was the message?

5. How was the official letter sent by the Soviets on October 27th different from the letter sent October 26th?

6. According to Robert, how did time before the crisis was publicized effect the President's decisions?

7. Why does Robert claim that "we cannot be an island even if we wished; nor can we successfully separate ourselves from the rest of the world" (94)?

8. Why did JFK choose the Marucla for the first vessel to be boarded?

9. What does Robert tell is the final lesson learned in the Cuban Missile Crisis?

10. What did the letter received October 23rd from Khrushchev imply about the U.S. and the repercussions the U.S. may expect?

(see the answer keys)

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