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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. When Robert meets with Dobrynin after the blockade is put into effect, what does Dobrynin say the ships will do?

2. What piece of information caused JFK to favor the blockade?

3. What was one requirement of the blockade plan?

4. What statement did the Russians make public on September 11th?

5. Who said that Russia only wanted to "give bread to Cuba in order to prevent hunger in that country" (34)?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does JFK bring up the book The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman?

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

3. How did Ex Comm formulate their recommendations to the President?

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

5. How did RFK feel about his fellow members of in Ex Comm?

6. Why is the "great danger and risk in all of this . . . a miscalculation -- a mistake in judgment" (49)?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The prospect of nuclear holocaust haunts several of the men involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis (and on both sides). In an essay, identify who felt strongly about nuclear holocaust and why. What is involved in a nuclear war? How many would die? Was nuclear holocaust actually possible? Use the novel to support your conclusions.

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

Cultural allusions are made to Munich and Pearl Harbor. In an essay, identify which of these events most closely resembles the Cuban Missile Crisis. Give details to support your assertions.

(see the answer keys)

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