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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 about holding new territories?
(a) Martial law is a necessity.
(b) It is easy to do for a large army.
(c) The country needs to appoint a governor as quickly as possible.
(d) They need to be adjacent to an attacker's normal theatre of operation.

2. When is initiative more helpful according to Clausewitz?
(a) In strategy.
(b) In defense.
(c) In tactic.
(d) In attack.

3. What reason does Clausewitz give for the way the majority of the time in war is spent?
(a) To set up defenses.
(b) To move the troops from one battlefield to the other.
(c) To rest the troops.
(d) The strategy demands it.

4. What does the old political landscape permit according to Clausewitz?
(a) For Italy to expand into France.
(b) For one event to precipitate a global war.
(c) For Prussia to dominate the political scene.
(d) For two European countries to go to war without involving any other country.

5. What should follow the attack on a well maintained defensive position according to Clausewitz?
(a) Rest.
(b) Retreat.
(c) A counter attack.
(d) Reinforcing the defensive position.

6. What does Clausewitz call the moment of a battle where there is opportunity for a decisive victory?
(a) Height of the engagement.
(b) The turning point.
(c) The end of the struggle.
(d) Culmination of the attack.

7. What possibility does a good defensive position offer the general in charge according to Clausewitz?
(a) To launch a powerful offensive.
(b) To wait for the enemy indefinitely.
(c) To retreat quickly.
(d) To rest the troops.

8. What does Clausewitz say the best soldiers, national leaders and generals have in common?
(a) They have no fear.
(b) They have superior intelligence.
(c) They have clear goals.
(d) They are good orators.

9. What army did Clausewitz join to continue fighting his favorite enemy?
(a) English.
(b) Italian.
(c) French.
(d) Russian.

10. What topic appears in the last few chapters of On War?
(a) The use of artillery techniques.
(b) The use of large cavalry groups.
(c) Information gathering.
(d) The use of limited aims in war.

11. What does Clausewitz suggest be done with territories not immediately adjacent to one's country?
(a) Release them come winter.
(b) Annex them.
(c) Hold on to them no matter what.
(d) Burn everything down.

12. What type of engagement does Clausewitz say has a superior value?
(a) A quick engagement.
(b) An attrition battle.
(c) A combination of engagements.
(d) One large engagement.

13. Why would an ally stop its help according to Clausewitz?
(a) If the needs of the ally country is too great for them to fulfill.
(b) If the enemy invades.
(c) If the enemy bribes them.
(d) If other allies need their help.

14. What is suspension of action in war usually a sign of according to Clausewitz?
(a) Troop movement.
(b) Peace.
(c) Negotiation.
(d) Troop buildup.

15. According to Clausewitz, what is decision outside the realm of strategy?
(a) Luck.
(b) Diplomacy.
(c) Casual force.
(d) Tactical mastery.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Clausewitz, why were the Jewish tribes weak as a nation?

2. What does Clausewitz think of the way wars are usually fought?

3. What general feeling should a good general give according to Clausewitz?

4. Who does Clausewitz say attacked Prussia twice 20 years ago?

5. According to Clausewitz, what is typically not decisive in a long term conflict?

(see the answer keys)

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