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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. According to the indirect method, which of the following routes should be taken in order to engage the enemy?

2. Constable du Guesclin's style was most influenced by which previous general?

3. Which of the following was a widely-used tactic in William of Normandy's time?

4. What type of new military technology is discussed in depth at the beginning of the book?

5. How does the author define "Generalship"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain Napoleon's famous quotation regarding moral and physical conditions.

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

3. Why were decisive results difficult to achieve during the British Civil Wars?

4. Describe the changes that took place in France that led to Napoleon becoming ruler of that nation.

5. Explain the author's opinion on Sun Tzu's quotation about deception in warfare.

6. What is a "natural line of expectation"?

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

8. Why are decisive results important in warfare?

9. What characterized the battles of William of Normandy?

10. What was Caesar's overall strategy in his Mediterranean campaigns?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The "center" of a military force is a crucially important concept in the indirect approach. The identification and dislocation of the enemy center is the very essence of the strategy laid out and endorsed by the author.

Part 1) What is the "center" of a military force. What factors contribute to this center?

Part 2) How is the center of a military force identified. Cite examples of military forces from the book and explain what or where their centers are.

Part 3) How can the center of a military force be dislocated? What are the results of this dislocation? Does the dislocation always involve the destruction of enemy forces? Cite examples from the book of the consequences of the dislocation of a military force's center.

Essay Topic 3

Alexander the Great of Macedon is one of the most famed generals in history. His tactical maneuvers in battle are still studied to this day, but he was also a genius in the field of grand strategy.

Part 1) Explain Alexander's grand strategic goal, and his father's influence in creating and defining this goal.

Part 2) Find and explain one example of Alexander using the direct method of full scale combat to achieve part of his grand strategy.

Part 3) Find and explain an example of Alexander using indirect methods to forward his grand strategy. Explain why this action was indirect, and specifically how it advanced part of Alexander's overall goals.

Part 4) Explain at least one example of a long-lasting benefit gained through one of Alexander's decisive victories.

Part 5) Assess Alexander's accomplishments from a strategic standpoint and explain how successful he was in planning and executing his grand strategy.

(see the answer keys)

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