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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 bias are generals likely to carry during war councils?

2. Which important development did Clausewitz overlook in his books?

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

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

5. "Limited aim" strategy generally precludes what type of outcome?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How did Hitler gain the loyalty and trust of his subordinates?

3. What is the typical result of careless concentration of forces?

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

5. What was the problem with Clausewitz's writings, and why did they have a negative impact on the first World War?

6. How does the nature and purpose of strategy relate to people's unwillingness to be convinced of a point contrary to their own beliefs?

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

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

9. What causes generals to overstep the bounds of "limited aim" warfare?

10. What is the principle of flexibility?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hannibal achieved an unprecedented string of victories against Rome, beginning at the empire's furthest reaches and eventually threatening to sack the capital itself. Again and again he handed embarrassing defeats to Roman generals, and he nearly toppled the empire before it reached its height of power.

Part 1) Explain Hannibal's background and that of his homeland, Carthage.

Part 2) Describe Hannibal's overall military strategy, and the grand strategy of Carthage as a whole. Were these sets of goals aligned well, or did Hannibal experience political problems in carrying out his campaigns?

Part 3) Analyze at least one of Hannibal's battles in depth, including a discussion of the forces involved and the strategies employed by both sides.

Part 4) Discuss Hannibal's campaign in the Italian peninsula from a strategic perspective. What was his overall goal? Did he succeed in achieving decisive results? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Constable du Guesclin played an indispensable role in the liberation of France that occurred during the Hundred Years War. He perfected the indirect approach and introduced a new method of warfare that confounded his enemies and turned the tide of a war that was to all appearances over.

Part 1) Explain the progress of the war between France and England before du Gueslcin's time.

Part 2) What strategies did du Geusclin employ? How did he overcome English numerical and technological superiority? Why were the English unable to engage and defeat du Guesclin?

Part 3) Compare du Guesclin's strategies to those of modern guerrilla warfare. How are these strategies similar or different? What important advantages did this type of strategy provide for du Guesclin?

Essay Topic 3

Guerrilla warfare has been employed throughout history, but has flourished into a well-studied and effective method of warfare only within the last century.

Part 1) What is guerrilla warfare, and how does it differ from conventional warfare? What forces and methods are employed under this strategy?

Part 2) What factors led to the increased use of guerrilla warfare during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries? Provide some examples from the book of the increasing use of this strategy.

Part 3) What major advantages and disadvantages does guerrilla warfare lead to? Under what conditions should a nation resort to these means?

Part 4) Summarize the overall historical effectiveness of guerrilla warfare, using examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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