The Best and the Brightest Test | Mid-Book Test - Medium

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Multiple Choice Questions

1. How many soldiers had the U.S. sent to Vietnam in its first commitment of troops?
(a) 8 military advisers.
(b) 100,000 troops.
(c) 20,000 troops.
(d) 400 Special forces and 3,000 troops.

2. What does Halberstam say was the state of tensions within the White House as involvement in Vietnam escalated?
(a) Anyone who disagreed with Kennedy was removed.
(b) Aides gathered around Kennedy's will.
(c) Long and open debates brought new ideas to the policies.
(d) There were many disagreements.

3. What was Kennedy's position on the Cold War policies of his predecessors?
(a) He did not want to follow them.
(b) He was going to continue them.
(c) He was going to end them.
(d) He was going to improve on them.

4. What does Halberstam say happened that threatened the relationship between Diem and the Buddhists?
(a) Diem and Nhu retreated into aristocratic aloofness.
(b) The Buddhists expanded their protests.
(c) Diem reneged on his promises.
(d) The people backed the Buddhists against Diem.

5. Whom did Kennedy want to act as Secretary of State?
(a) He was going to abolish the position of Secretary of State.
(b) Chester Bowles.
(c) He was going to act as his own Secretary of State.
(d) Adlai Stevenson.

Short Answer Questions

1. What policy did Rostow support in Vietnam?

2. When did the problem with the Buddhist monks begin?

3. What position had Robert Lovett been appointed to in 1947?

4. Whom did Kennedy ask to be Secretary of State instead of Adlai Stevenson?

5. What does Halberstam say marked the end of the generals' faith in Diem?

Short Essay Questions

1. Whom did Kennedy consider for the position of Secretary of State?

2. Who was Robert A. Lovett, and what does Halberstam say he signified for Kennedy?

3. What three plans does Halberstam say the U.S. was considering in Vietnam in 1961?

4. Why does Halberstam say Chester Bowles' popularity faded?

5. Who was Frederick Nolting, and what was his role in Vietnam?

6. Describe Vietnam's problems with the Buddhist monks.


8. What was McNamara's stance with regard to nuclear weapons?

9. What was the Kennedy administration's stance with regard to Russia?

10. What was the American government's relationship with Diem in 1961?

(see the answer keys)

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