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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. How were Arab nations vulnerable during the First World War?

2. Hitler missed an excellent opportunity to wipe out the English army in what region?

3. What should be the main purpose of any attack?

4. How successful were the Turks in repelling allied attacks in their region?

5. Which nation did Russia decide to focus their efforts on first?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What is the principle of flexibility?

7. How did Hitler's study of Napoleon negatively influence him?

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

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

10. How does policy relate to national object and military aims?

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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