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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. According to the afterword, what would choosing nuclear war mean?
(a) Mutual homicide.
(b) Rising hostilities.
(c) Peace for remaining countries.
(d) Mutual superiority.

2. What countries were supporting the U.S. and recommending that the U.S. not give in to Soviet demands?
(a) U.N.
(b) HOA.
(c) NATO.
(d) AXIS.

3. Who handles all international problems for the U.S.?
(a) The Chief of Staff.
(b) The Secretary of State.
(c) The CIA.
(d) The ambassadors.

4. What animal does Khrushchev compare Russia and the U.S. to when he says they will be exterminated in the case of a war?
(a) Moles.
(b) Rats.
(c) Doves.
(d) Hawkes.

5. Who was approached by a Soviet Embassy official to offer a proposal for removing the missiles from Cuba?
(a) Sorensen.
(b) JFK.
(c) Robert.
(d) John Scali.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who wrote, "there is just no foreseeable route by which the United States and Soviet Union could become involved in a major nuclear war" (104)?

2. Who wrote the Afterword for Thirteen Days?

3. Who was George Ball?

4. Whose plane was shot down while flying reconnaissance over Cuba?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one example Robert provides of a devil's advocate working?

2. 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?

3. What is JFK referencing when he says that "we are now in an entirely new ball game" (74)? What has changed?

4. After the Soviet's agree to a stand down, JFK makes an analogy between himself and Abraham Lincoln. What does he say and what does it mean?

5. What made the prospect of war unbearable to JFK?

6. 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)?

7. While still in communications with Khrushchev, RFK writes that "both 'hawks' and 'doves' sensed that our combination of limited force and diplomatic efforts had been unsuccessful" (64). What do the symbolic terms "hawks" and "doves" stand for?

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

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

10. Who did JFK seek advice from? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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