The Wise Men: Six Friends and the World They Made: Acheson, Bohlen,... Quiz

Take our free The Wise Men quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. Take the free quiz now!

Why did Dean Acheson believe the U.S. should get involved in the war between North and South Korea, according to Isaacson? (from Chapter 16-17)

To preserve the doctrine of containment.

To preserve strategic positions in the Far East.

To save the Western Alliance in Europe.

To prove to Stalin and Mao that all of their imperialistic actions would be confronted.

Why was General MacArthur fired according to Isaacson? (from Chapters 18-19)

Because MacArthur's popularity within the U.S. was a threat to the Administration's efforts to control the direction of the war in Korea.

MacArthur made statements criticizing China's strength and suggesting Chiang Kai-shek could open a second front against China with an invasion on the mainland.

Because MacArthur was seen as unable to lead with the changes in technology and the enemy at hand.

Because MacArthur's belligerence had become a threat to world peace.

What does Isaacson report eventually came of the idea of a "Western Union" military alliance? (from Chapter 15)

It became the United Nations (UN).

It became the European Union (EU).

It became the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

It became the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

What does Isaacson cite as "...perhaps the most dramatic and significant (conversion) of any postwar American statesman"? (from Chapters 11-12)

The conversion of Averell Harriman from a market capitalist to seeing the value of socialism in some systems.

The conversion of Dean Acheson to a hard-line stance on dealing with the Soviets.

The conversion of Harry Truman from being a non-interventionist to being an internationalist.

The conversion of John McCloy to being an internationalist to being an isolationist.

How does Isaacson report that Clark Clifford understood the rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union had to be framed to make the general public support confronting the Communists? (from Chapters 13-14)

Clifford understood the rivalry had, "...to be framed as a personal cause of free American talent overcoming international slavery."

Clifford understood the rivalry had, "...to be framed as a contest between the forces of darkness and light."

Clifford understood the rivalry had, "...to be framed as fearfully as possible to cajole the general public to put unquestioning support for the wisdom of its government."

Clifford understood the rivalry had, "...to be framed as a potential threat to the freedom and security of every individual in the country."