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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Hitler missed an excellent opportunity to wipe out the English army in what region?

2. Which of the following nations was NOT a major player in the war on the eastern front?

3. During World War II, most maneuvers had the intention of attacking the enemy where?

4. With regards to bloodless victories and attacks against targets other than human lives, the author states which of the following?

5. What was one way that Hitler gained political ascendancy in Germany?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Hitler's study of Napoleon negatively influence him?

2. What is the typical result of careless concentration of forces?

3. What is the principle of flexibility?

4. Why was Ludendorff mostly unable to enact indirect strategies throughout the war?

5. According to the author, what were some motivating factors behind writing this book?

6. Describe the strategies used by the Turks during the First World War.

7. How does the nature and purpose of strategy relate to people's unwillingness to be convinced of a point contrary to their own beliefs?

8. How successful was Germany's expansion during the early parts of World War II? Why was this expansion eventually halted and reversed?

9. What challenge did Germany face in fighting in Russian territory?

10. How does policy relate to national object and military aims?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hitler was undeniably a successful and charismatic leader. Despite his monstrous intentions, he managed to place himself in a position of preeminence over a major nation enjoyed by only a few leaders throughout history.

Part 1) Explain the conditions in Germany, including politics and the economy, during the time that Hitler was rising to power.

Part 2) How did Hitler manage to rise to such a high position within Germany? How was his political strategy similar to his later use of military strategy?

Part 3) How did Hitler gain the loyalty of his subordinates? What was unusual about his methods and writings before the beginning of the war?

Essay Topic 2

Hitler and other German military leaders unleashed a furious war on conquest against most of continental Europe that shocked the world with its speed and effectiveness. Hitler had an unquestionably strong grasp of military strategy, and was in a unique position to manipulate the grand strategy of the war.

Part 1) What was the state of strategy and generalship immediately before the outbreak of World War II? What types of forces and engagements were most nations expecting? How did the German war-effort differ from these expectations?

Part 2) Explain the major characteristics of Hitler's strategies in World War II. Were his methods largely direct or indirect? Provide examples of both types of approaches.

Part 3) Summarize the extent of Hitler's successes. Were these results decisive or indecisive? Did Hitler succeed in achieving the goals dictated by his grand strategy?

Essay Topic 3

Belisarius achieved victories where no one thought they were possible, and succeeded in reconquering huge swaths of territory for the divided Roman empire. His conquests were so great that some even called him emperor. His style was decidedly different from that of other generals discussed throughout the book, and other generals of the time.

Part 1) Summarize the military accomplishments of Belisarius, in chronological order.

Part 2) Explain how Belisarius's strategies differed from those of most other military commanders.

Part 3) Discuss Belisarius's influence on military thinking of his time, and in the centuries afterward.

(see the answer keys)

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