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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. Who did Truman choose to replace Marshall as his Secretary of State?

2. What happens to the White House during Truman's second term?

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

4. Whose appointment to Truman's cabinet made a positive and calming effect?

5. What industry does Truman attempt to turn over to government control in April of 1952?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. 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?

5. 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.

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

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

8. 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.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 5, Harry Truman changes from a military man to a business man, then to a politician. Describe in detail how each of these factors contributed to his discovering that his true calling was politics: 1) his upbringing, 2) his marriage, 3) his work ethics, 4) his environment, 5) the national economy, 6) the politics of his home state, 7) the lessons learned in the military and in the retail business.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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