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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. According to Khrushchev, who are the only people who would provoke war in today's nuclear world?

2. How many Russian submarines were in the Caribbean after the blockade took effect?

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

4. In a conversation between JFK and Robert, how far did JFK say that he wanted to push the Russians?

5. Who was George Ball?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

3. Why does Robert claim that "we cannot be an island even if we wished; nor can we successfully separate ourselves from the rest of the world" (94)?

4. What did the letter received October 23rd from Khrushchev imply about the U.S. and the repercussions the U.S. may expect?

5. Analyze the simile "the leaders who lived through the crisis felt what it was like to peer over the precipice" (104)?

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

7. 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?

8. 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?

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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The importance of communication is stressed throughout Thirteen Days. In an essay analyze this theme. You may want to answer one or more of the following questions in your essay: When is communication important? When are secrets kept? How does communication solve problems? How is communication flawed when there is a language barrier? Who needs to be communicating in a crisis? How important is communication?

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay examining the importance of peer evaluation. Develop an argument that is either for using groups or against it. Was the group effort successfully used for Ex Comm? Why or why not? What lesson can be learned from this?

Essay Topic 3

Robert Kennedy, Richard Neustadt, and Graham Allison all identify isolationism to be a problem. In an essay, identify why people would desire isolationism and determine if isolationism is even an option in today's world. Why or why not? Make a conclusion at the end of your determining if isolationism is truly a good idea or not? Use citations from Thirteen Days in your arguments.

(see the answer keys)

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