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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Whose appointment to Truman's cabinet made a positive and calming effect?
(a) Charlie Ross
(b) George Marshall
(c) Jimmy Brynes
(d) Henry Wallace

2. Who in the government has the final say regarding military matters?
(a) Secretary of State
(b) The President
(c) The Vice President
(d) Supreme Commander of the Forces

3. What happened to the President's normal work when he was on the campaign trail?
(a) It continued as before from Truman's desk on the train
(b) Bess took care of it
(c) His staff collected all the papers and held them until he arrived home
(d) The vice president handled everything

4. What was Truman's primary goal of the Potsdam Conference?
(a) To find an excuse to use the atom bomb
(b) To get Stalin to commit to entering the war against Japan
(c) To tell the other countries about the atom bomb
(d) To see Europe for free

5. What was the name of President Truman's custom built railway car?
(a) The Ferdinand Magellan
(b) The Titanic
(c) The George Washington
(d) Pullman Car #3457113

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of Truman's family members accompanied him on the campaign trail?

2. Of all the labor strikes after the war, which is the one that brings Truman to the strongest action?

3. Where do the Trumans live in Independence?

4. What is one Presidential first that is mentioned in this chapter?

5. What was a whistle-stop?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Stevenson distance himself from Truman during the campaign for President? Was this wise?

2. Describe General MacArthur, covering the following points: 1) appearance, 2) method of speaking, 3) personality as described in the book.

3. Why was it so important for MacArthur and Truman to be in agreement on the military policy towards Korea and China?

4. Truman had corresponded with Churchill and Stalin, but had never met either of these leaders before Potsdam. Read through Chapter 10 again, noting Truman's observations of the two men. Pretending you are a reporter for an American newspaper, write an article describing the two men from Truman's view.

5. In the issue of a President serving more than two terms, what is your opinion regarding 1) in agreement with the limit or 2) in opposition of the limit. Give at least three points for your argument.

6. Truman's own party did not actively support him in his bid for the election, even through fundraising. Why?

7. Compare the way reporters on the Truman campaign trail were treated as opposed to the reporters on the Dewey train. How was this indicative of the campaigns themselves?

8. In the 1960 election, Acheson admonishes Truman to be careful about what he says. How much influence can an ex-president have in future elections?

9. Roosevelt was unable to move without assistance, but Truman is a fast walker and a man who moves quickly and with determination. The Secret Service had to completely change their tactics to protect the President. How did this affect their procedures and organization? Do you think President Truman, based upon what you have read about him so far, was easy to work with regarding his movements around Washington DC?

10. The title of this chapter is "The Buck Stops Here." Where does this expression come from and how does it apply to Harry Truman?

(see the answer keys)

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