- 1. The Blood Telegram by Gary J. Bass is a gripping historical narrative that delves into the tumultuous events surrounding the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, an episode that saw the struggle for independence from Pakistan marked by widespread atrocities and a humanitarian crisis. In this meticulously researched account, Bass explores the role of the United States government, particularly through the lens of its ambassador to India, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who became an unlikely whistleblower by sending an internal telegram to Washington that detailed the horrendous violence and mass killings occurring in East Pakistan. The book not only recounts the political machinations and decisions made by key figures in the U.S. administration, including President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, but it also highlights the moral dilemmas and failures that arose from their choices, as they prioritized geopolitical interests over human rights. Bass's narrative is enriched with personal stories of those affected by the conflict, offering a poignant and human perspective on the events, while challenging readers to reflect on the complexities of diplomacy, power, and ethical responsibility in the face of brutality. Overall, The Blood Telegram stands as a compelling chronicle of a pivotal moment in South Asian history and serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability in wartime.
Which US president was in power during the events described in 'The Blood Telegram'?
A) Gerald Ford
B) John F. Kennedy
C) Lyndon B. Johnson
D) Richard Nixon
- 2. Who was the US diplomat who sent the 'Blood Telegram' protesting US policy?
A) George H.W. Bush
B) Ellsworth Bunker
C) Archer Blood
D) Henry Kissinger
- 3. What year did the Bangladesh Liberation War occur?
A) 1965
B) 1981
C) 1971
D) 1975
- 4. Which US National Security Advisor features prominently in the book?
A) Brent Scowcroft
B) Walt Rostow
C) Henry Kissinger
D) Zbigniew Brzezinski
- 5. What was the main reason for US support of Pakistan despite the atrocities?
A) To maintain relations with China
B) Cultural ties
C) Military base access
D) Oil interests in the region
- 6. Which country ultimately intervened militarily in the conflict?
A) India
B) United Kingdom
C) United States
D) Soviet Union
- 7. What was Archer Blood's position in the US government?
A) Consul General in Dhaka
B) National Security Advisor
C) Secretary of State
D) Ambassador to India
- 8. Which Pakistani leader was in power during the genocide?
A) Yahya Khan
B) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
C) Ayub Khan
D) Benazir Bhutto
- 9. Which superpower was aligned with India during the conflict?
A) United Kingdom
B) United States
C) Soviet Union
D) France
- 10. What document did US diplomats sign protesting US policy?
A) The Blood Telegram
B) Dhaka Declaration
C) East Pakistan Memo
D) Bengal Protest
- 11. Which country emerged from the conflict as an independent nation?
A) Bangladesh
B) Sikkim
C) Kashmir
D) Balochistan
- 12. What was the US government's official position on the conflict?
A) Military intervention
B) Support for Bangladesh
C) Peacekeeping forces
D) Neutrality
- 13. Which Indian leader was prime minister during the war?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru
B) Morarji Desai
C) Rajiv Gandhi
D) Indira Gandhi
- 14. What was the duration of the Bangladesh Liberation War?
A) 6 months
B) 9 months
C) 1 year
D) 2 years
- 15. What was the name of the political party that won East Pakistan's elections?
A) Muslim League
B) Awami League
C) Bangladesh Nationalist Party
D) Pakistan Peoples Party
- 16. Which country provided the channel for US-China communications?
A) United Kingdom
B) Pakistan
C) India
D) France
- 17. Which US government institution did Archer Blood work for?
A) National Security Council
B) CIA
C) Department of Defense
D) State Department
- 18. Which prominent journalist extensively covered the atrocities?
A) Sydney Schanberg
B) Christianne Amanpour
C) Bob Woodward
D) Walter Cronkite
- 19. Who was the leader of the Awami League?
A) Yahya Khan
B) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
C) Indira Gandhi
D) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
- 20. Approximately how many refugees fled to India during the crisis?
A) 1 million
B) 10 million
C) 50 million
D) 100,000
- 21. What was the duration of the actual war between India and Pakistan?
A) 6 months
B) 3 months
C) 1 year
D) 13 days
- 22. Which international organization was largely ineffective during the crisis?
A) NATO
B) World Bank
C) United Nations
D) Red Cross
- 23. What was the name of the US naval task force sent to the Bay of Bengal?
A) Task Force 77
B) Seventh Fleet
C) Carrier Group One
D) Task Force 74
- 24. Which US newspaper first reported extensively on the atrocities?
A) Los Angeles Times
B) The New York Times
C) Wall Street Journal
D) Washington Post
- 25. What was Kissinger's position in the Nixon administration?
A) Secretary of State
B) National Security Advisor
C) Secretary of Defense
D) CIA Director
- 26. What significant geopolitical event was happening simultaneously with the Bangladesh crisis?
A) Cuban Missile Crisis
B) Suez Crisis
C) Korean War
D) US-China rapprochement
- 27. Which international agreement ended the war?
A) Paris Peace Accords
B) Camp David Accords
C) Simla Agreement
D) Geneva Convention
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