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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. What was the Turnip Congress? .
(a) A session of congress where only bills concerning turnips were discussed
(b) The special congressional session called by Truman during the time of Missouri's Turnip Day
(c) A special committee that turned up important information
(d) A session of congress where dissidents threw turnips at the congressmen

2. What geographical designation separated South Korea from North Korea?
(a) 38th Parallel
(b) The 41st parallel
(c) The Alps
(d) The Yang River

3. What happens to Margaret after her father finishes her Presidential terms?
(a) She dies in an automobile accident
(b) She is kidnapped
(c) She marries and has four sons.
(d) She joins the Peace Corps

4. Why was it so important to create an Atomic Energy Commission?
(a) To prevent spies from access to the secrets
(b) To make Truman look good
(c) To have a method of channeling funding to the project
(d) To provide civilian, not military, control of this new awesome power

5. What new civilian agency is set up under Truman's presidency?
(a) Central Intelligence Agency
(b) Air Force
(c) Committee to Re-Elect the President
(d) Federal Bureau of Investigation

Short Answer Questions

1. How many people did Oppenheimer estimate the bomb would kill?

2. How did the leaders entertain each other in the evenings of the conference?

3. What was a Dixiecrat?

4. How did the three world leaders enter the conference room in Potsdam?

5. What weapon is Truman encouraged to authorize to end the Korean Conflict?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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.

2. When Robert Oppenheimer, the director of the Manhattan Project, comes to see Truman, the President is made uncomfortable about the visit. Why?

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

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

5. Did Truman conduct himself as a world leader in Potsdam? Give examples to support your answer.

6. Stalin is described as a personable, likable man; yet he ordered the murder of millions of people in his own country. Was there any indication in the activities of the Potsdam Conference that reveal this side of his character? Give examples.

7. The title for this chapter is "The Heat in the Kitchen." The author is referring to the intense pressures Truman experienced as he was also beginning his run for the presidency. List each of these pressures, and then describe how Truman dealt with them. When this report is done, write an essay outlining Truman's approach to dealing with issues, and whether or not you think his methods were appropriate.

8. When the Trumans take an automobile trip across the nation, they are shocked at how many people recognize them and want to see them. Why?

9. 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?

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

(see the answer keys)

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