View a FREE sample

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapters 23-24.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why didn't Kennedy formulate a China policy, in Halberstam's account?
(a) He didn't have time.
(b) His China advisor had not been confirmed.
(c) China was experiencing a revolution.
(d) China was not a high priority.

2. What does Halberstam say was the sense in the Kennedy administration as they came into office?
(a) They were going to continue the country's prosperity.
(b) They were going to institute a new era of peace.
(c) They were going to conquer the Russians.
(d) They were going to get the country moving again.

3. How does Halberstam say the Americans responded when the Vietcong attacked Pleiku?
(a) They put more troops on the ground.
(b) They decided to withdraw.
(c) They decided to reevaluate their strategy.
(d) They decided to retaliate.

4. Who was named commander of American forces in Vietnam in June 1964?
(a) Maxwell Taylor.
(b) General William C. Westmoreland.
(c) General Harkins.
(d) Averell Harriman.

5. Who was Kennedy's military analyst on the 1961 fact-finding mission?
(a) Robert McNamara.
(b) McGeorge Bundy.
(c) Chester Bowles.
(d) Maxwell Taylor.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who was the only administration insider arguing against escalation?

2. Why hadn't Roosevelt stopped the French from returning to Indochina after the war, in Halberstam's account?

3. Why didn't Kennedy offer the position of Secretary of State to McGeorge Bundy?

4. What was Paul Kattenburg's view of the war, in early 1964?

5. What issue had Kennedy and Dean Rusk had to discuss when Dean Rusk was offered the Secretary of State job?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 333 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample