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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. Infiltration tactics are based on what principle?

2. In the First World War, which Mediterranean nation did the allies hope to re-unify?

3. What is the purpose of strategy?

4. According to the author, what type of government is least capable of creating ideal generals?

5. What was one way that Hitler gained political ascendancy in Germany?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What did Germany need in order to become secure and peacefully end the war?

3. What challenge did Germany face in fighting in Russian territory?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

During the First World War, the Turkish theater saw the most mobile and strategic fighting of the war. Multiple invasions by France and England were fought back, and a vicious skirmishing guerrilla war was fought over the independence of emerging Arab states.

Part 1) Explain the importance of Turkey to the grand strategy of the first World War. Why did this country enter into the war, and what did it hope to gain? Why did the allies decide to invade this country directly?

Part 2) Discuss the war between Turkey and the western powers. What types of strategies were employed by each side? Why did France and England consistently fail to succeed in Turkey? Were the results of this war decisive or indecisive, and why?

Part 3) Discuss the war between Turkey and the Arab states. What distinct advantages and weaknesses did each side posses? Which side better utilized its own strengths and took most advantage of its enemy's weaknesses? What were the results of this conflict?

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