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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. Where does the only meeting in history of Truman and MacArthur take place?

2. What happened to the President's normal work when he was on the campaign trail?

3. Who were "The Big Three" of the Potsdam conference?

4. What is Adlai Stevenson's position when he runs for President?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Truman react to political pressure regarding his bid for Presidency? Give specific examples.

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

3. 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?

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

5. When Truman is on a state trip to Mexico, he visits the grave of the child heroes. Why did this act mean so much to the Mexican people?

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

7. Choose one of the following issues confronting Truman in this chapter: 1) Soviet acquisition of the atom bomb, 2) North Korea invading South Korea, 3) the Berlin Airlift, or 4) rise of Senator McCarthy. In your essay, outline how Truman and his administration handled the press regarding this issue. In your opinion, was the situation presented to the public in a good way?

8. When Robert Oppenheimer, the director of the Manhattan Project, comes to see Truman, the President is made uncomfortable about the visit. 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 did Stevenson distance himself from Truman during the campaign for President? Was this wise?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare the presidency of Truman with that of Roosevelt, Lincoln and Jackson, with regard to challenges during term, character, decision making abilities, and family values.

Essay Topic 2

How do you think it would have changed the Korean conflict and the world if MacArthur's recommendations to use atomic weapons on China had been followed?

Essay Topic 3

Based upon what is reported in this novel regarding Japan's attitude towards surrender and the outcome of the war, would you have ordered the use of the atomic bomb?

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