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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 historical general is cited as basing his conquests on popular support?

2. Lawrence frequently utilized which strategy?

3. About how many soldiers did the Italians lose in their two and a half years of fighting in the First World War?

4. What is a "wedge attack" intended to achieve?

5. Which of the following does that author state as being his major intention in writing this book?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why was Ludendorff mostly unable to enact indirect strategies throughout the war?

2. Describe some common tactical movements of the armies of World War II.

3. Describe the strategies used by the Turks during the First World War.

4. What are the important strategic differences between large and small armies.

5. What was the state of strategy and tactics on the eastern front during the First World War?

6. How successful was Germany's expansion during the early parts of World War II? Why was this expansion eventually halted and reversed?

7. What was unusual about Hitler's preparations for war?

8. What were the strengths and vulnerabilities of the Turks and the Arabs during the First World War?

9. What is a wedge attack, what is it used for and how is it countered?

10. According to the author, what were some motivating factors behind writing this book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

The War of Spanish Succession is cited as a major setback in military strategy. This war was fought in disparate theaters by nations with no real interest in the territory under dispute and with only the vaguest of grand strategies. The small number of commanders who endorsed a more indirect approach were consistently hindered by the ignorance of their superiors, and the war devolved into a bloody and indecisive war of direct approaches.

Part 1) Explain the background and progress of this war. What was unusual about the places where and the ways in which this war was fought?

Part 2) In general, what method were employed in this war? What factors contributed to these strategies?

Part 3) What were the grand strategies and national objects of the major participants of this war? How did these goals affects the course of the war? Did any nation succeed in achieving decisive results?

Part 4) Which commander or commanders sought to employ indirect methods during this war? Why were they hindered in their attempts? What would have been some possible results if they had not been blocked in their efforts?

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