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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. What distinction does the author make during the discussion of the wars fought by Hannibal, Scipio and Caesar?

2. How are the beneficial gains from warfare maintained?

3. According to the author, how did Turenne's military strategy change as the general aged?

4. What critical factor does naval power in the Mediterranean influence, especially in the case of the Greeks?

5. Which country became noted as a major world power for the first time during the First World War?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe some of Belisarius's conquests.

2. Describe the effect of the locomotive on the American Civil War.

3. What instigated the Byzantine war against the Vandals?

4. What are some of the factors that caused the Germans to retreat and eventually surrender?

5. How did the large size of the Persian army in the second Greek and Persian war cause problems for the Persians?

6. Explain the concept of the "center" of a country's military power. What is the importance of "dislocating" this center?

7. Why is the indirect method favorable over direct methods?

8. What factors led to Greek victory in the first war between Greece and Persia?

9. Why are decisive results important in warfare?

10. What was Marlborough's style of generalship and why was he not able to fully employ it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although Hitler achieved military success, he was strategically unsuccessful in achieving large-scale lasting benefits for his country. Hitler needed to achieve peace, but failed to do so.

Part 1) What was the German grand strategy in World War II? What conditions would have been necessary for Germany to secure its military gains?

Part 2) How did Hitler attempt to satisfy these conditions? Explain any major elements that Hitler either misjudged or did not appropriately address.

Part 3) Ultimately, why was Hitler's grand strategy flawed? What major factors contributed to his failure to achieve large-scale decisive victory?

Essay Topic 2

William of Normandy exemplified the skilled military commander of the medieval era. His conquests changed the face of England forever.

Part 1) Explain the background of William of Normandy's invasion of England, including a discussion of his allies and their importance.

Part 2) Discuss one or more of William's most famous battles. How did these battles demonstrate the level of sophistication of strategies of the time?

Part 3) Did William achieve decisive or indecisive results? In either case, what strategic conditions contributed to these results? Explain the nature and importance of these results.

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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