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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. During William of Normandy's time, what was the state of military strategy?

2. When moving to engage the superior Scottish forces, what was the nature of Cromwell's overall strategic maneuver?

3. When an enemy is attacked along a "natural line of expectation," what is the usual result?

4. What major advantage does the use of locomotives in warfare convey?

5. Marlborough was notable for his use of what stratagems?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were the results of the Hundred Year's War between England and France?

2. What were European nations like during the era of the Wars of Spanish Succession?

3. Why are decisive results important in warfare?

4. Describe the effect of the locomotive on the American Civil War.

5. Explain Napoleon's famous quotation regarding moral and physical conditions.

6. Describe some of Belisarius's conquests.

7. What was the Persian strategy in their first attack against Athens?

8. Describe some of Napoleon's strategies and innovations.

9. What is the relationship between grand strategy and long-lasting gains?

10. How did Cromwell overcome his enemy's numeric superiority?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The author suggests that the indirect approach is applicable to many fields outside of military strategy. There are obvious similarities between military endeavors, in which the goal is to acquire some lasting benefit for oneself, often in the face of resistance from an outside force, and many other human activities.

Part 1) Explain the indirect approach independent of military strategy. Describe its various components and attributes without reference to military terms or ideas.

Part 2) Discuss how these ideas can be applied to another specific human endeavor. Draw analogies between the military concepts discussed in the book and the concepts that pertain to the endeavor you have chosen to discuss.

Part 3) Use examples to explain how grand strategy relates to this endeavor, and how decisive and indecisive results can be identified.

Part 4) Explain step by step one example of how the indirect approach can be applied to this endeavor in order to bring about decisive results.

Essay Topic 2

Belisarius achieved victories where no one thought they were possible, and succeeded in reconquering huge swaths of territory for the divided Roman empire. His conquests were so great that some even called him emperor. His style was decidedly different from that of other generals discussed throughout the book, and other generals of the time.

Part 1) Summarize the military accomplishments of Belisarius, in chronological order.

Part 2) Explain how Belisarius's strategies differed from those of most other military commanders.

Part 3) Discuss Belisarius's influence on military thinking of his time, and in the centuries afterward.

Essay Topic 3

The western front during the first World War was bloody and generally indecisive. The eventual German retreat was not precipitated by military setbacks, but by mere strategic considerations of position. There is every indication that the war could have continued in its indecisive state for many more years.

Part 1) What nations participated in the war on this front? What were the strategies on both sides? How was the war expected to be fought and won?

Part 2) What difficulties became apparent once the war had begun? How did terrain and technology affect the maneuvers and strategies that could be employed by both sides? In actual practice, what types of strategies were employed during the war?

Part 3) Were the results of the war in this theater decisive or indecisive? What factors contributed to this outcome? How did grand strategy affect the results of the war? Why was Germany eventually forced to retreat and eventually to surrender?

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