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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. When Germany advances on Moscow, what does President Roosevelt offer Stalin?

2. When did the Democratic party decide to place Truman as Vice President on their ticket?

3. How many members did the Truman Committee have?

4. In the eyes of the Truman Committee, what governmental department was the most to blame for bad planning?

5. What pet name did Truman have for Bess?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Bess Wallace is considered "ideal" by Harry, and is well respected by the other children. What qualities does she display that make her ideal, and do you think she would be popular by today's standards?

3. Read Part II of Chapter 5 again regarding Truman & Jacobson. Did the partners exercise good judgment in their selection of product, marketing and customers? Why do you think the store failed?

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

5. Tom Pendergast's advice to Harry Truman as he left for D.C. was "Work hard, keep your mouth shut, and answer your mail." Was this good advice for the new senator? Why?

6. At one time, Truman had expressed a desire to attend West Point, but after his experience in war, he decided not to go. Why?

7. When Truman receives a summons to the White House on April 12, 1945, why did he run instead of walk? How is this sequence of events so different from what it would be in today's world?

8. How did the atmosphere of defense contractor spending contribute to the Canol Project?

9. Was trench warfare a reasonable strategy of fighting a war? Why or why not?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

How does the Truman Committee reinforce Truman's long-held belief that American large corporations are corrupt? Give specific examples.

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.

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