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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. Who wrote the Afterword for Thirteen Days?

2. How did Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. die?

3. Why did JFK originally want to remove the missiles from Turkey?

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

5. Who would analyze Khrushchev's personal letter and make recommendations on October 27th?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. 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?

8. 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?

9. What made the prospect of war unbearable to JFK?

10. What does Robert mean when he says "that with respect to nuclear war there is an awesome crack between unlikelihood and impossibility" (105)?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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

Essay Topic 2

The extended metaphor of a knot being tied illustrates the tensions that were forming between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. In an essay, analyze the metaphor in detail. Is it an effective metaphor?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast the powers of Congress and the Presidency using the JFK administration in Thirteen Days as a primary example.

(see the answer keys)

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