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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 does Clausewitz tell the reader is better than reading and learning about war strategy from books?

2. What does discernment help superior officers do with the information gathered according to Clausewitz?

3. What does Clausewitz say armies were like after the advent of tactics?

4. What controls the strategist according to Clausewitz?

5. What is the foremost prominent factor in war according to Clausewitz?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Clausewitz think that the result of war is never final?

2. What does Clausewitz say of the analysis of several battles at the same time?

3. What is important to the soldiers of an army according to Clausewitz?

4. Why does Clausewitz believe that the wars between civilized countries are less cruel and destructive than between savages?

5. According to Clausewitz, what was initially considered the art of war by the first war theorists?

6. What does Clausewitz think of physical and moral components of an army?

7. What must the strategist in charge of a war do according to Clausewitz?

8. What type of men are best at dealing with friction according to Clausewitz and how are they found?

9. What is the difference between strategy and tactics according to Clausewitz?

10. According to Clausewitz, what needs to be subdued to win a war?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does Clausewitz say about officers in "On War"? Explain the contradiction of looking for the best officers, but only considering aristocrats for those positions and not from among the other 90% of the people. Use the text and secondary sources to support your statements.

Essay Topic 2

Clausewitz says that the result of war is never final. Analyze the wars in Europe for the 30 years prior to the writing of the book and explain why Clausewitz thinks that war is never final. Use the text to support your statements.

Essay Topic 3

Clausewitz is a proponent of the idea that defense is superior to offense. How do you think Clausewitz came to that conclusion? Include a historical context and the text to support your statements.

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