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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. In later years, how does Harry describe his childhood?

2. What was Truman's attitude towards running for Vice President?

3. What new inventions did Truman never learn to use or like?

4. Who were Harry Truman's parents?

5. What was the Armistice?

Short Essay Questions

1. Truman's job at the bank in Kansas City taught him about fiscal responsibility. How would this assist a potential president?

2. Why was it important for Truman to spend so much time as a new President with the funeral of Roosevelt?

3. Why do you think Truman was bored with any jobs other than politics?

4. This chapter is entitled "The Senator from Pendergast" and not "The Senator from Missouri." Why?

5. Although money was always a problem for Truman, when given the opportunity to make millions at the expense of the government, he chose not to. Why?

6. The primary candidate, Roosevelt, did not appear at the Democratic convention in 1944, and his preference for Vice President was not clear. How did this affect those in charge of the Party at the convention?

7. Why did so many respected senators and congressional representatives oppose America's entry into the War with Germany?

8. Uncle Harrison is mentioned many times in the early chapters of the book as someone Truman admired and enjoyed. Why?

9. Compared to the Slaughter family farm, the Trumans were always broke. Why do you think this was so?

10. Why did the Kansas-Nebraska Act cause so much trouble in Missouri?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

From all accounts, Truman was an excellent soldier and fearless leader during WWI. What skills do you think he took with him from this experience that would make him a good President? Cover these points in your answer: 1) his personality, 2) his courage, 3) his abilities to make decisions, 4) giving him an international rather than a small town American perspective.

Essay Topic 2

Describe in detail the significant events in Truman's first term as Senator from Missouri, and cover the following points, using the facts, and then your opinion as to how this event affected Truman's policy, reputation and personal feelings.

1. Treatment of him by fellow Senators, especially the one from his own state

2. Bess choosing to stay away from Washington most of the time

3. Truman's loyalty to Roosevelt

4. Truman's loyalty to Pendergast

5. The official investigation of Pendergast

6. The difficulty of getting re-elected without his traditional means of support

Essay Topic 3

Truman and Roosevelt were men from completely different backgrounds and political experience. What specific obstacles did Truman have to overcome when assuming President Roosevelt's job that were caused by Roosevelt's attitude towards 1) world affairs, 2) the power of the presidency, and 3) sharing secrets with others outside his private circle.

(see the answer keys)

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