- 1. A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide is a compelling and deeply affecting non-fiction work by Samantha Power that explores the moral and political failures of the United States in the face of genocides throughout the 20th century and early 21st century. Power, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, meticulously examines pivotal moments where the international community, particularly the United States, opted for inaction or insufficient responses to genocidal atrocities, such as those in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Darfur. The book is not only a historical account but also a profound ethical inquiry that challenges readers to consider the implications of indifference and the responsibilities of powerful nations to intervene on behalf of those facing brutal oppression. Through a blend of rigorous research, personal narratives from survivors, and insights into the world of diplomacy, Power crafts a narrative that is both informative and emotionally charged, ultimately urging the global community to recognize the human cost of silence and to advocate for prevention and justice in the face of such horrors. 'A Problem from Hell' serves as a clarion call, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and proactive measures in safeguarding human rights, underscoring that the lessons of the past must inform our actions in the present and future.
Which genocide does Power examine as a case study in the book?
A) The Holocaust
B) The Cambodian genocide
C) The Armenian genocide
D) The Rwandan genocide
- 2. Which U.S. government official does Power criticize for inaction during the Rwandan genocide?
A) Colin Powell
B) Madeleine Albright
C) Condoleezza Rice
D) Henry Kissinger
- 3. What was the primary reason for U.S. inaction in Rwanda according to Power?
A) Lack of political will
B) International opposition
C) Economic constraints
D) Military weakness
- 4. What year was 'A Problem from Hell' first published?
A) 1998
B) 2002
C) 2005
D) 2010
- 5. Which U.S. president receives significant criticism in the book for Bosnia policy?
A) George W. Bush
B) George H.W. Bush
C) Bill Clinton
D) Ronald Reagan
- 6. Which term describes the U.S. government's avoidance of the word 'genocide' during Rwanda?
A) Semantic evasion
B) Genocide avoidance
C) Rhetorical bypass
D) Linguistic denial
- 7. What organization does Power criticize for its bureaucratic failures?
A) The World Bank
B) NATO
C) The United Nations
D) The European Union
- 8. Which individual does Power highlight as a hero for speaking out about genocide?
A) Raphael Lemkin
B) Winston Churchill
C) John F. Kennedy
D) Eleanor Roosevelt
- 9. What does Power suggest about the 'never again' pledge after the Holocaust?
A) It only applies to Europe
B) It was never a serious commitment
C) It has been repeatedly broken
D) It has been successfully upheld
- 10. Which international court does Power discuss in relation to genocide prosecutions?
A) Permanent Court of Arbitration
B) European Court of Human Rights
C) International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
D) International Court of Justice
- 11. What role did the U.S. play in the Srebrenica massacre according to Power?
A) Directly participated
B) Successfully intervened
C) Provided military support
D) Failed to prevent it through inaction
- 12. What does Power identify as a major obstacle to genocide prevention?
A) International law restrictions
B) Military technology limitations
C) Economic development needs
D) Lack of domestic political pressure
- 13. What does Power conclude about individual responsibility in preventing genocide?
A) Individuals are powerless to stop genocide
B) Military leaders bear sole responsibility
C) Individuals can make a difference through advocacy
D) Only governments can prevent genocide
- 14. Which U.S. administration receives the most criticism in the book?
A) Reagan administration
B) Bush administration
C) Nixon administration
D) Clinton administration
- 15. What Pulitzer Prize category did 'A Problem from Hell' win in 2003?
A) History
B) General Nonfiction
C) Biography
D) Fiction
- 16. Which Cambodian leader was responsible for the killing fields?
A) Kim Il-sung
B) Mao Zedong
C) Ho Chi Minh
D) Pol Pot
- 17. Which journalist does Power highlight for reporting on the Bosnian war?
A) Roy Gutman
B) Tom Brokaw
C) Christianne Amanpour
D) Bob Woodward
- 18. Which US senator was a vocal advocate for intervention in Bosnia?
A) Joe Biden
B) Ted Kennedy
C) Bob Dole
D) John McCain
- 19. What was the Clinton administration's initial position on the term 'genocide' for Rwanda?
A) Immediately acknowledged it
B) Denied it was occurring
C) Supported its use
D) Avoided using the term
- 20. Which UN peacekeeping force was in Rwanda during the genocide?
A) UNMOGIP
B) UNAMIR
C) UNPROFOR
D) UNDOF
- 21. Which US official resigned over policy toward Bosnia?
A) Warren Christopher
B) Anthony Lake
C) George Kenney
D) Colin Powell
- 22. What was the primary ethnic group targeted in the Rwandan genocide?
A) Hutu
B) Tutsi
C) Yoruba
D) Twa
- 23. What year was the Genocide Convention adopted?
A) 1965
B) 1948
C) 1945
D) 1955
- 24. Which US president finally ratified the Genocide Convention?
A) Bill Clinton
B) Ronald Reagan
C) Jimmy Carter
D) George H.W. Bush
- 25. Which European country had colonial responsibility in Rwanda?
A) Belgium
B) Germany
C) France
D) United Kingdom
- 26. What was the estimated death toll in the Rwandan genocide?
A) 300,000
B) 500,000
C) 800,000
D) 1 million
- 27. Which UN official warned about impending genocide in Rwanda?
A) Boutros Boutros-Ghali
B) Roméo Dallaire
C) Kofi Annan
D) Jan Egeland
- 28. What was the primary method of killing in Rwanda?
A) Gas chambers
B) Guns
C) Bombs
D) Machetes
- 29. What term does Power use to describe individuals who risked their lives to save others during genocides?
A) Upstanders
B) Defenders
C) Rescuers
D) Heroes
- 30. How does Power characterize the US government's approach to genocide prevention?
A) Prioritizing diplomatic relations
B) Focused on economic solutions
C) Reactive rather than proactive
D) Consistently interventionist
- 31. Which institution does Power credit with eventually taking action in Bosnia?
A) The Organization of American States
B) The European Union
C) The African Union
D) NATO
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