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

2. Robert tells he once heard World War Three would be fought with atomic weapons. What then would the next war be fought with?
(a) Guns and knives.
(b) Swords and cannons.
(c) Atomic weapons.
(d) Sticks and stones.

3. Who said "war is impossible . . . there is no alternative to peace" (104)?
(a) Thomas Schelling.
(b) Dwight D. Eisenhower.
(c) Theodore Sorensen.
(d) Robert McNamara.

4. Who said, "I have participated in two wars and know that war ends when it has rolled through cities and villages, everywhere sowing death and destruction" (67)?
(a) Khrushchev.
(b) Dobrynin.
(c) JFK.
(d) General McCone.

5. 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) Rats.
(b) Doves.
(c) Hawkes.
(d) Moles.

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. What hit the U-2 plane that was flying reconnaissance over Cuba?

3. How many passengers were on the East German Passenger ship that approached the blockade?

4. Who was approached by a Soviet Embassy official to offer a proposal for removing the missiles from Cuba?

5. Who was the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Short Essay Questions

1. Khrushchev uses several metaphors in his letter to JFK. What is one metaphor and what does it mean?

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

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

4. 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)?

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. What made the prospect of war unbearable to JFK?

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

9. How does JFK view the military advisers recommending war? Why does he feel this way?

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

(see the answer keys)

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