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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 was setup as a final arbiter of war in the former theory of the "art of war"?
(a) Supply.
(b) Cavalry.
(c) Artillery.
(d) Infantry.

2. What portion of the war plans do lower ranking figures usually implement according to Clausewitz?
(a) The small portion.
(b) The unimportant portion.
(c) The tactical portion.
(d) The easy portion.

3. What definition of war does Clausewitz give?
(a) A way for the military powerful to grab resources from their neighboring country.
(b) An act of weakness because diplomacy didn't succeed.
(c) A way for nations to settle trivial disputes.
(d) An act of force to compel our enemy to do our will.

4. How does Clausewitz sees the first 6 books he wrote in his notes?
(a) As being stolen from another author.
(b) As a ready to publish version.
(c) As a rough draft.
(d) As a formless mass that needs to be reworked.

5. Why do the first war theorists only consider what could be mathematically calculated when they created the first war theory according to Clausewitz?
(a) They wanted the theory to be easily taught.
(b) They wanted to reach a set of sure and positive conclusion.
(c) They were mathematicians.
(d) They didn't care about war.

6. Why should someone study memoirs of past commanders according to Clausewitz?
(a) To counter their style more effectively.
(b) To improve reading skills.
(c) To copy their style.
(d) To improve critical analysis skills.

7. What definition does Clausewitz give of wearing down the enemy?
(a) Gradual exhaustion of physical and moral resistance.
(b) Gradual exhaustion of ammunition.
(c) Gradual exhaustion of commanding officers.
(d) Gradual exhaustion of horses.

8. What does Clausewitz say about the time passed to acquire knowledge in Book 2, Chapter 5?
(a) It is well spent.
(b) It is not very long.
(c) It is too long.
(d) It will be missed.

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

10. According to Clausewitz, what matters when a general makes adjustments to the war plan?
(a) Their location.
(b) Their state of mind.
(c) Their personal interest.
(d) Their experience.

11. What does Clausewitz say dictates how much control an official must maintain over others?
(a) His gender.
(b) His country.
(c) His rank.
(d) His age.

12. What does Clausewitz think of genius and established rules?
(a) Genius expands the rules.
(b) Genius makes the rules.
(c) Genius can override rules.
(d) Genius follows rules to the letter.

13. According to Clausewitz, why should events be studied one by one and in great detail?
(a) Because Napoleon's style was unique.
(b) Because there are not a lot of elements to study.
(c) Because it is easier to read.
(d) Because one cannot draw conclusions from an even smaller number of cases.

14. How many activities does Clausewitz say strategic methods consist of?
(a) 5 activities.
(b) 2 activities.
(c) 3 activities.
(d) 6 activities.

15. What was the "art of war" about according to Clausewitz?
(a) Tactical mastery.
(b) Defeating your enemy in one blow.
(c) Strategic mastery.
(d) Establishment of an army.

Short Answer Questions

1. What qualities does Clausewitz describe as imperative for a commander?

2. What does Clausewitz warn the reader not to do in regards to the description of strategic maneuvers?

3. What is the third property according to Clausewitz?

4. Who said that the commander in chief of an army must resolve problems like great mathematicians, such as Newton and Euler?

5. What is courage to the soldier according to Clausewitz?

(see the answer keys)

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