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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. How did the members of Ex Comm avoid arousing suspicion when visiting the White House at 9:15 at night?

2. According to Robert in the section, "It was now up to one single man," what did JFK stress in his speech to the nation?

3. What was one requirement of the blockade plan?

4. What does Robert claim was impossible for Ex Comm to come up with when making their recommendations to JFK?

5. Who sent messages praising Russia and castigating the U.S.?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does RFK defend Adlai Stevenson's suggestion?

3. What was one argument for a blockade?

4. Why does RFK slip the President a note saying "I now know how Tojo felt when he was planning Pearl Harbor" (25)? How do the situations compare?

5. How and where did Adlai Stevenson present the photographic evidence of missiles in Cuba?

6. How did the US obtain their information about Russian activity in Cuba?

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

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

9. What did the military and JFK do to respond to the submarine situation?

10. What did Adlai Stevenson suggest was a third option for the President to consider? Why was it rejected?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In an essay, analyze the validity of the nuclear paradox. What scenarios have shown this paradox to be true? Did Khrushchev's removal of missiles from Cuba signal his unwillingness to go to nuclear war?

Essay Topic 2

The analogy made comparing the Pearl Harbor bombing and the Cuban Missile Crisis is made several times in Thirteen Days. Find at least three passages that make this comparison and in an essay discuss on what points they are comparable. Then analyze how they differ. Is the comparison accurate and should it be made? Support your ideas with facts.

Essay Topic 3

In an essay compare the "hawks" and "doves" from Thirteen Days. What does the symbol mean? Who was a hawk? A dove? How do the symbols help to illustrate their differences?

(see the answer keys)

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