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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Against what strategy was the following argument used: It would be like "closing the door after the horse has left the barn" (28)?

2. When looking at the first photographs of the missile bases in Cuba, what did JFK say it looked like?

3. In the section "Tuesday morning, October 16, 1962 . . .," why were initial reports of missiles in Cuba not passed on to the President?

4. In which branch of government does Robert believe rank often plays a role?

5. Which group was created "for the purpose of effective conduct of the operations of the executive branch in the current crisis" (45)?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was one argument against a blockade?

2. How did JFK feel about the reaction from Congress when he informed them about the crisis and his plans?

3. How does Berlin factor into the decision making about the Cuban Missile Crisis?

4. What other actions did the U.S. take besides the blockade?

5. What was one argument for a blockade?

6. When was Congress told, and how did Congress react to the news of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

7. After the blockade takes effect, RFK meets with Dobrynin again. What do they discuss?

8. Why did the Intelligence Community not believe Cuba was a threat to the United States?

9. What was ironic about JFK's meeting with Soviet Foreign Minister Andrea Gromyko?

10. What personal insights does RFK provide about JFK when they are waiting for news about the first ships meant to reach the blockade?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The importance of risk as a theme cannot be overlooked in Thirteen Days. With the stakes high for action or inaction, every decision is a risk. In an essay, develop an argument either for or against taking risks in political situations. Identify JFK's attitude toward risk as well as one of his opponents. Conclude with an analysis of risk and the possible repercussions.

Essay Topic 2

The fact that JFK was hesitant to actually stop a ship with the blockade demonstrates that the blockade was more symbolic than meant as an actual solution. In an essay, discuss how the blockade was symbolic. How were JFK's choices regarding the line of interception symbolic? What was symbolic about the first ship intercepted? What message was all of this meant to convey?

Essay Topic 3

The theme of understanding consequences is prevalent in Thirteen Days. Write an essay exploring this theme and its implication to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

(see the answer keys)

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