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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 Khrushchev, who are the only people who would provoke war in today's nuclear world?
(a) Lunatics and suicides.
(b) Democrats.
(c) Morons and aggressors.
(d) Americans.

2. What word would best complete the following quote? "No action is taken against a powerful adversary in a _____________" (96).
(a) War.
(b) Nuclear world.
(c) Vacuum.
(d) Benign manner.

3. Why did JFK originally want to remove the missiles from Turkey?
(a) He wanted to invade Turkey.
(b) He did not want to anger the Soviets.
(c) They were dangerous to world peace.
(d) They were obsolete.

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

5. What does Robert suggest the President use to get an opposite opinion if no one else will offer it?
(a) A devil's advocate.
(b) A sponsor.
(c) Lobbyists.
(d) Random uninterested parties.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the name of the first ship boarded at the blockade?

2. According to Robert in "The importance of placing ourselves in the other country's shoes," why was JFK reluctant to attack the missile sites after a U.S. U-2 was shot down?

3. Who said "war is impossible . . . there is no alternative to peace" (104)?

4. What extended metaphor does Khrushchev use to conclude his letter from October 26th?

5. Who did JFK believe should take public credit for the end of the missile crisis?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the letter received October 26th, what does Khrushchev claim is the reason he sent weapons to Cuba?

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

3. 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?

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

5. Analyze the simile "the leaders who lived through the crisis felt what it was like to peer over the precipice" (104)?

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

7. What does Robert mean when he writes "no action is taken against a powerful adversary in a vacuum" (96)?

8. Who did JFK seek advice from? Why?

9. 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?

10. What did RFK believe was wrong with the letter drafted by the State Department that was written in response to the letter received October 27th, and what did he suggest they write instead?

(see the answer keys)

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