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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Clausewitz say is the one consideration that can postpone war between two parties that are ready for it?
(a) Creating their army.
(b) Leaving time for diplomacy.
(c) A desire to wait for a better moment before acting.
(d) The weather.

2. Where should strategic plans be made according to Clausewitz?
(a) At mid level.
(b) At the highest level.
(c) At low level.
(d) On the spot.

3. What led to the need for a theory on the "art of war," according to Clausewtiz?
(a) The need to train more efficient Generals.
(b) The need to sell more books.
(c) The creation of war colleges.
(d) Reflections on the events of war.

4. What does Clausewitz says of the people that can deal with friction?
(a) They will show up when they are needed.
(b) Military genius.
(c) They are very rare.
(d) Scholars are usually among them.

5. What definition does Clausewitz give for "friction"?
(a) Anything bizarre making things difficult.
(b) Small battles.
(c) Foreigners among the ranks.
(d) Soldier mental breakdown.

6. What type of operations does Clausewitz say can help in the outcome of war?
(a) Operations to try to capture the capital city of the enemy.
(b) Operations of political significance.
(c) Operations to try to occupy more land.
(d) Operations to try to destroy the enemy's army.

7. How does Clausewitz qualify the task of creating a scientific theory for the conduct of war?
(a) Impossible.
(b) Easy.
(c) Difficult.
(d) Annoying.

8. What does Clausewitz suggest about the quality of the readings made by most people concerning military matters?
(a) it is pro French.
(b) It is poor.
(c) It is good.
(d) It is pro Prussian.

9. What is necessary to make theoretical sense of actual events according to Clausewitz?
(a) Critical analysis.
(b) Good academic bases.
(c) His books.
(d) A military mind.

10. What does Clausewitz say has a profound effect on methods used in war?
(a) The government.
(b) The aims.
(c) The soldiers.
(d) The weapons.

11. What does Clausewitz say armies were like after the advent of tactics?
(a) Automata.
(b) Effective fighting forces.
(c) Sending one wave after the other.
(d) Barely effective.

12. What is never final in war according to Clausewitz?
(a) Armies.
(b) Results.
(c) Battles.
(d) Countries.

13. What does Clausewitz say is more difficult to do during a war?
(a) Make a good decision.
(b) See the consequences of an action.
(c) Trace effects back to its causes.
(d) Send units on suicide missions.

14. What does Clausewitz mean by "Destroying the enemy?"
(a) Capturing the commanding officers of the enemy.
(b) Put the enemy's forces in a condition so they can no longer fight.
(c) Physically destroying all of the enemies forces.
(d) Destroying the enemy's reputation.

15. What does Clausewitz say about people and their methods of drawing conclusions?
(a) Political leaders should not draw conclusions.
(b) Only military generals should draw conclusions on military. matters
(c) They draw good conclusions if they are smart.
(d) They draw conclusions without sufficient information.

Short Answer Questions

1. What tends to exacerbate falsehood according to Clausewitz?

2. Why do the first war theorists only consider what could be mathematically calculated when they created the first war theory according to Clausewitz?

3. According to Clausewitz, what general would never have prevailed had he fought like Charles XII?

4. Why does Clausewitz think great leaders were always right?

5. What does Clausewitz say can alleviate fear in an army and improve performances?

(see the answer keys)

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