Present at the Creation by Dean Acheson
- 1. Present at the Creation: My Years in the State Department by Dean Acheson is a compelling memoir that encapsulates Acheson's pivotal role in shaping American foreign policy during a transformative period primarily after World War II. Published in 1969, the book offers a first-hand account of the events leading to the establishment of crucial international frameworks, such as the Marshall Plan and NATO, while also addressing the challenges posed by the Cold War. Acheson, who served as the Undersecretary of State and later as Secretary of State under President Harry S. Truman, recounts his experiences with notable figures, including Churchill, Stalin, and other key leaders, infusing his narrative with incisive insights into the complexities of diplomacy and the interplay of national interests. His writing is characterized by a blend of personal anecdotes and analytical reflections, revealing not only the strategic decisions made during his tenure but also the philosophical underpinnings that guided those decisions. Acheson reflects on the moral imperatives of U.S. involvement in world affairs and the importance of international cooperation, all while providing readers with a rich historical context that illuminates the intricate balance of power during the formative years of the post-war era. This work stands out not just as a memoir but as an essential document for understanding the foreign policy decisions that shaped modern America and its position in the world.
Who is the author of 'Present at the Creation'?
A) Harry Truman
B) Dean Acheson
C) John Foster Dulles
D) Henry Kissinger
- 2. What position did Dean Acheson hold during the Truman Administration?
A) Secretary of State
B) Ambassador to the United Kingdom
C) Secretary of Defense
D) National Security Advisor
- 3. What major international organization is discussed in Acheson's work?
A) League of Nations
B) European Union
C) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
D) United Nations
- 4. Which post-war plan does Acheson highlight?
A) Great Society
B) Reconstruction Finance Corporation
C) New Deal
D) Marshall Plan
- 5. In which year was 'Present at the Creation' published?
A) 1959
B) 1969
C) 1982
D) 1975
- 6. Acheson was instrumental in the formation of which doctrine?
A) Monroe Doctrine
B) Nixon Doctrine
C) Eisenhower Doctrine
D) Truman Doctrine
- 7. Acheson's approach to communism can be described as?
A) Expansion
B) Containment
C) Appeasement
D) Isolation
- 8. What literary form is 'Present at the Creation'?
A) Novel
B) Textbook
C) Biography
D) Memoir
- 9. What type of policy does Acheson's work primarily analyze?
A) Health policy
B) Labor policy
C) Foreign policy
D) Trade policy
- 10. In Acheson's view, which ideology posed a major threat?
A) Capitalism
B) Fascism
C) Communism
D) Liberalism
- 11. Which U.S. president did Acheson serve under?
A) Harry S. Truman
B) Lyndon B. Johnson
C) Dwight D. Eisenhower
D) John F. Kennedy
- 12. Acheson argues that the U.S. must be prepared for what?
A) Peace
B) War
C) Isolation
D) Negotiation
- 13. What was Acheson’s view on the Soviet Union?
A) It was a significant threat to freedom and democracy
B) It could be ignored
C) It was a cooperative ally
D) It was economically superior
- 14. How does Acheson characterize the role of NATO?
A) A redundant military organization
B) An economic grouping
C) A temporary pact
D) A vital alliance against Soviet expansion
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