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

2. What did the Joint Chief of Staff suggest the U.S. do to respond to the letter sent October 27th?
(a) Refuse any negotiations in a letter.
(b) Military action.
(c) Strengthen the blockade.
(d) Meet with Khrushchev personally.

3. According to all of the discussions of removing missiles from Cuba, who would oversee the removal to be sure it was done?
(a) The U.N.
(b) Britain.
(c) The OAS
(d) The U.S.

4. Who urged the President to release photos of missiles to the UN for publication?
(a) Pierre Salinger
(b) Dovid Ormsby Gore.
(c) Adlai Stevenson.
(d) Ted Sorensen.

5. How many passengers were on the East German Passenger ship that approached the blockade?
(a) Fifteen hundered.
(b) One thousand.
(c) One hundered.
(d) Fifty.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Khrushchev claim the Soviet Union has placed missiles in Cuba?

2. Who would not allow Russian planes to refuel or land in Dakar?

3. Which country does Robert identify that originally doubted the U.S.'s position regarding Cuba?

4. What do men have the power to do today that they did not in past war making?

5. Who testified to Congress in 1964 that "in the first hour [of all-out nuclear war] one hundred million Americans and one hundred million Russians would be killed" (104)?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

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

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 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?

6. In the letter drafted by Robert and Sorenson in response to Khrushchev's letter received October 26th, what is the "first ingredient" (79) to a peaceful arrangement? Why?

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

8. How did Africa play a role in the Cuban Missile Crisis?

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

10. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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