- 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) Richard Nixon
B) Gerald Ford
C) Lyndon B. Johnson
D) John F. Kennedy
- 2. Who was the US diplomat who sent the 'Blood Telegram' protesting US policy?
A) Henry Kissinger
B) George H.W. Bush
C) Archer Blood
D) Ellsworth Bunker
- 3. What year did the Bangladesh Liberation War occur?
A) 1975
B) 1965
C) 1971
D) 1981
- 4. Which US National Security Advisor features prominently in the book?
A) Zbigniew Brzezinski
B) Walt Rostow
C) Brent Scowcroft
D) Henry Kissinger
- 5. What was the main reason for US support of Pakistan despite the atrocities?
A) Military base access
B) Oil interests in the region
C) Cultural ties
D) To maintain relations with China
- 6. Which country ultimately intervened militarily in the conflict?
A) United States
B) India
C) Soviet Union
D) United Kingdom
- 7. What was Archer Blood's position in the US government?
A) Ambassador to India
B) Secretary of State
C) Consul General in Dhaka
D) National Security Advisor
- 8. Which Pakistani leader was in power during the genocide?
A) Ayub Khan
B) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
C) Yahya Khan
D) Benazir Bhutto
- 9. Which superpower was aligned with India during the conflict?
A) United States
B) United Kingdom
C) France
D) Soviet Union
- 10. What document did US diplomats sign protesting US policy?
A) East Pakistan Memo
B) The Blood Telegram
C) Bengal Protest
D) Dhaka Declaration
- 11. Which country emerged from the conflict as an independent nation?
A) Sikkim
B) Kashmir
C) Bangladesh
D) Balochistan
- 12. What was the US government's official position on the conflict?
A) Military intervention
B) Peacekeeping forces
C) Neutrality
D) Support for Bangladesh
- 13. Which Indian leader was prime minister during the war?
A) Rajiv Gandhi
B) Morarji Desai
C) Indira Gandhi
D) Jawaharlal Nehru
- 14. What was the duration of the Bangladesh Liberation War?
A) 2 years
B) 9 months
C) 1 year
D) 6 months
- 15. What was the name of the political party that won East Pakistan's elections?
A) Muslim League
B) Bangladesh Nationalist Party
C) Pakistan Peoples Party
D) Awami League
- 16. Which country provided the channel for US-China communications?
A) India
B) France
C) United Kingdom
D) Pakistan
- 17. Which US government institution did Archer Blood work for?
A) State Department
B) National Security Council
C) Department of Defense
D) CIA
- 18. Which prominent journalist extensively covered the atrocities?
A) Bob Woodward
B) Christianne Amanpour
C) Walter Cronkite
D) Sydney Schanberg
- 19. Who was the leader of the Awami League?
A) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
B) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
C) Indira Gandhi
D) Yahya Khan
- 20. Approximately how many refugees fled to India during the crisis?
A) 10 million
B) 100,000
C) 50 million
D) 1 million
- 21. What was the duration of the actual war between India and Pakistan?
A) 3 months
B) 13 days
C) 1 year
D) 6 months
- 22. Which international organization was largely ineffective during the crisis?
A) NATO
B) Red Cross
C) World Bank
D) United Nations
- 23. What was the name of the US naval task force sent to the Bay of Bengal?
A) Carrier Group One
B) Task Force 77
C) Seventh Fleet
D) Task Force 74
- 24. Which US newspaper first reported extensively on the atrocities?
A) The New York Times
B) Los Angeles Times
C) Wall Street Journal
D) Washington Post
- 25. What was Kissinger's position in the Nixon administration?
A) National Security Advisor
B) Secretary of Defense
C) CIA Director
D) Secretary of State
- 26. What significant geopolitical event was happening simultaneously with the Bangladesh crisis?
A) Cuban Missile Crisis
B) Korean War
C) Suez Crisis
D) US-China rapprochement
- 27. Which international agreement ended the war?
A) Geneva Convention
B) Paris Peace Accords
C) Camp David Accords
D) Simla Agreement
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