Military History Final Exam Review (Spring 2014)

"War is hell."
--Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman 

What will the exam cover?

All of the content/readings from the Crusades-present.

• The Crusades
• The Hundred Years War
• The Military Revolution and Early Modern Warfare
• The 30 Years War
• The Enlightenment and Revolutionary Warfare
• Napoleonic Warfare
• Industrial and Total War
• The Civil War, WW I and WW II
• Warfare since WW II-present
• Proxy Wars
• Nuclear weapons
• Current war
• The future of war

What is the format of the exam?

The exam will consist of two parts.

Part I:  Essay; time:  60 minutes

Your grade will be based on your response to TWO essay questions.  Each question will be worth 25% of your total exam grade.  You will have choice in the questions that you answer (there will be a total of 5-6 essay questions to choose from).  You should plan to spend about 30 minutes on each question (reading it, thinking about it, brainstorming, and writing your response).

What kinds of essay questions will there be?

• The essay questions will obviously relate to the course material, and may include the following:

·         Comparing different military systems or aspects of systems

·         Discussing and analyzing specific aspects of a military system, such as weapons, organization, or leadership

·         Applying theoretical concepts to historical examples (such as tactics, strategy, culture, etc.)

·         Discussing, explaining, and analyzing specific military events (battles, campaigns, wars, people) and how aspects of warfare have changed/continued over a set period of time.

What's an effective answer?

An effective answer is one that:

• Is well thought out and organized.
• Incorporates substantial, relevant, accurate, and specific historical evidence as support for the response.
• Answers all parts of the question.

Points earned by each essay (up to 25) will reflect the extent that the above criteria are met.

Part 2:  Hands-On; time:  60 minutes

This portion of the exam (worth 50% of the total exam grade) will be based on a variety of hands-on, physical, and group activities based on the skills we've been focusing on throughout the year.  You will have the opportunity for additional practice of these skills prior to the exam itself.

How should I study?

While there is no “one way” to effectively study, here are some suggestions:

• Review the study guides I prepared for you for each of the tests you have taken this semester (they may all be found on the blog).  Use these guides to break down the material as well as to provide an overall structure.
• Try to anticipate questions—make up your own and then answer them.
• Finally:  give yourself time and do not try to study everything all at once.
• Practice sword work at home using a yardstick, etc.

Ancient World History and Modern World History Final Exam Information (Spring 2014)

Exam day/time:  Wednesday, May 28 at 8:00 a.m.

Material you are responsible for:

• Ancient World History:  chapters 5 (beginning on page 129), 7, 10, 12, 13, and all related class material including topics covered during the final week of class (Japan, the Americas, etc.).

• Modern World History:  chapters 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and all related class material including topics covered during the final week of class (the Cold War, decolonization, Globalization, etc.).

Exam Format:

Your exam grade will be based on your response to four essay questions.  Each question will be worth 25% of your total exam grade.  You will have some choice in the questions that you answer (there will be a total of 5-6 essay questions to choose from).  You should plan to spend about 30 minutes on each question (reading it, thinking about it, brainstorming, and writing your response).

What kinds of essay questions will there be?

The essay questions will include compare/contrast questions, questions that deal with change over time, and questions that deal with historical analysis:

• A compare/contrast question would ask you to discuss the similarities and/or differences between two or more societies or aspects of a society (such as government or religion)
• A change over time question would ask you to discuss and explain how a given region, society, or aspect(s) of a society changed over a specific period of time. 
• A historical analysis question would ask you to analyze one or more historical developments, events, people, technology, etc. and demonstrate your understanding of the topic and its overall historical significance.
• In addition to these questions, there will be one mandatory cumulative question (this will be the ‘fourth’ question that you answer).  This question will require you to make use of the knowledge you have gained during the year in order to make connections and draw conclusions what you have learned from the course as a whole.

What’s an ‘effective’ answer?

An effective answer is one that:

• Is well thought out and organized.
• Incorporates substantial, relevant, accurate, and specific historical evidence as support for the response.
• Answers all parts of the question.

Points earned by each essay (up to 25) will reflect the extent that the above criteria are met.

How should I study?

While there is no “one way” to effectively study, here are some suggestions:

• Review the study guides from past tests you've taken this semester, all of which may still be found on this blog.  Use these guides to break down the material as well as to provide an overall structure.  Past tests themselves can also be helpful if you still have them, though all of the questions on the exam will be new.
• Use the P.E.R.S.I.A. method
• Think in terms of “comparing/contrasting” and “change over time” as you review the material.  Try to anticipate questions—make up your own and then answer them.
• Finally:  give yourself time and do not try to study everything all at once.

Week 34: May 11-16

Ancient World 4th Period

Monday:  The Mongols, continued

• Homework (due Tuesday):  Study for the test on the Late Middle Ages and Post-Classical China

Tuesday: Test Review

• Homework (due Wednesday):  Study for the test on the Late Middle Ages and Post-Classical China

Wednesday:  Test

• Homework:  from here on--prepare for the final exam

Thursday:  Honors Presentations and Medieval Japan

Friday:  Japan, continued

Ancient World 7th Period

Monday:  The Mongols, continued

• Homework (due Wednesday):  Study for the test on the Late Middle Ages and Post-Classical China

Wednesday:  Test

• Homework:  from here on--prepare for the final exam

Thursday:  Honors Presentations and Medieval Japan

Friday:  Japan, continued

Military History, 5th Period

Monday:  Veteran project presentations

Tuesday:  Veteran project presentations

Wednesday:  Test

Friday:  Sword work--the art of sparring

Modern World History, 6th Period

Monday:  The Holocaust and the Atomic Bomb

• Homework (due Wednesday):  study for the test on the Interim Period and WW II

Wednesday:  Test

• Homework (due Thursday):  from here on--prepare for the final exam

Thursday:  Honors Presentations

Friday: Honors Presentations

Military History Test Review: From the Civil War to Modern Times

Test Date:  Wednesday, May 14

Format:  15 multiple choice (3 points each), 1 essay (choice of 2), 55 pts.

Content:

The American Civil War

• Napoleonic influence
• Major technological changes and role of technology in the war
• Comparisons between the North and the South
• Strategies and tactics of each side
• The details and significance of the following battles and campaigns:
• First Bull Run, The Valley Campaign, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, the Wilderness Campaign, the marches of Sherman and Sheridan
• The Civil War as “proto-total war”—role of resources and civilians

The Wars of Unification--German unification

• Otto von Bismarck’s approach to war
• Influence of the American Civil War--technology
• New perceptions of warfare resulting from the Franco-Prussian War

The World Wars

• The characteristics of World War I warfare, including:
• Trench warfare
• The use of new weapons—what they were and their impacts
• The loss of life
• The characteristics and impact of “Total War"
• The consequences of peace process
• Characteristics of total war during World War II (compared with WW I)
• conventional combat vs. economic warfare
• The significance of the atomic bomb

War after the World Wars

• the influence of nuclear technology on the outbreak of war
• characteristics of warfare from 1950-present
• "proxy wars" and limited conflicts
• "asymmetrical" warfare 
• insurgency, guerrilla warfare, and terrorisism
• "digital" war
• the future of war

Modern World History Interim and World War II Test Review

Test Date:  Tuesday, May 14

Format:

• 15 multiple choice questions, each worth 3 points (45 points total)
• 2 response questions, you choose 1, each worth 55 points

Content:  This test will cover chapters 24 and 25 in your textbook and all related class material.

Chapter 23:  The Global Interim

• The major issues confronting India, the Middle East, China, Japan, and Latin America following World War I
• the role of nationalism
• determining national identity and degree of western influence
• roles, influence, and goals of major leaders
• Gandhi, Nehru, and Jinnah in India
• Mustafa Kemal in Turkey
• Mao Zedong in China
• Role of Europe in these regions
• The Balfour Declaration
• Degree of actual change experienced by these regions during this period

Chapter 24:  World War II

• The major causes leading up to World War II, including
• The role of the Treaty of Versailles
• The rise of totalitarian governments in Italy, Germany, Russia, and Japan
• The characteristics of Fascism vs. Communism and the goals of Adolph Hitler
• Hitler’s acquisition of territory and the policy of appeasement
• The major events of the war, including:
• The Japanese invasion of China in 1937
• Japanese treatment of Chinese civilians
• The German invasion of Poland in 1939 and “blitzkrieg”
• The surrender of France and the Battle of Britain in 1940
• The German invasion of Russia and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, in 1941
• The Battles of Stalingrad and Midway in 1942
• The U.S. invasion of Italy in 1943
• The Allied Invasion of Normandy (D-Day) in 1944
• The defeats of Germany and Japan in 1945
• The use of the atomic bomb on Japan in 1945
• Characteristics of total war during World War II
• The Home Front
• The causes and consequences of the Holocaust
• The overall impact of WWII on the world

Ancient World History Late Middle Ages and Post-Classical China Test Review

Test Date:  Wednesday, May 14

Format:  15 Multiple Choice questions, 3 pts each (45 pts)

2 Essay Questions (choose one), 55 pts

Content:  Chapter 13 (pages 374-386), chapter 5 (pages 146-155), chapter 10 (pages 269-289--stop at "The Ming Dynasty") and all related material

The Late Middle Ages:

• The causes, impact and resolution of the Great Schism, including
• The election of Pope Clement V
• The causes and significance of the “Babylonian Captivity”
• The elections of Popes Urban VI and Clement the XII after the death of Pope Gregory XI
• The significance of the Council of Constance

• The causes, spread, reaction to and impact of the Black Death in Europe

• The causes, major people, events, and outcome of the Hundred Years War, including
• The conflict between King Edward III of England and King Philip IV of France
• The comparisons of the English and French forces
• The role of the Yeoman archer and the longbow
• The battles of Crecy and Agincourt
• The significance of King Henry V
• The significance and role of Joan of Arc
• The outcome of the war and how warfare changed
• Causes and characteristics of the Renaissance
• Italian origins
• major artistic and intellectual developments
• humanism
• Machiavelli 

Post-Classical China:

• The Han Dynasty
• Early vs. Later Han
• Significance of Han Wudi
• Causes of Han collapse
• The 3 Kingdoms:
• How China changed during this period
• The resumption of Dynastic rule

• The major aspects of the Sui, Tang, and Song Dynasties, including
• Similarities/differences with previous dynasties
• Achievements and polices

·         The grand canal; policies towards expansion and relations with nomadic peoples

·         Social characteristics, including class structure and roles of women

·         Cultural and technological achievements including

o   Block printing

o   Black powder

o   Ship building

The Mongols:

• Major characteristics of nomadic life
• The life and rise of Temujin/Genghis Khan
• Mongol military organization and way of war
• The establishment and expansion of the Mongol empire, including chronology of the expansion, areas they conquered, the limits/boundaries of the empire
• Characteristics/locations of the Khanates:  The Yuan Dynasty, the Il Khanate, the Golden Horde
• The impact of the Pax Mongolica on Asia and Europe
• Reasons for Mongol Decline 

Week 33: May 5-9

Ancient World 4th Period

Monday:  The Song Dynasty

• Homework (due Tuesday):  Work on your papers

Tuesday: Society in Post-Classical China

• Homework (due Wednesday): Work on your papers

Wednesday:  Culture in Post-Classical China

• Homework (due Thursday): Work on your papers

Thursday:  An introduction to the Mongols

• Homework (due Friday): Papers Due

Friday:  The Mongols, continued

• Homework (due Monday):  read pages 288-289 and write a response to the following:
• What is your view of the Mongols?  In what ways do Mongol ideas continue to shape our world today?

Ancient World 7th Period

Monday:  The Tang and Song Dynasties

• Homework (due Wednesday):  Work on your papers

Wednesday:  Society and Culture in Post-Classical China

• Homework (due Thursday): Work on your papers

Thursday:  An introduction to the Mongols

• Homework (due Friday): Papers Due

Friday:  The Mongols, continued

• Homework (due Monday):  read pages 288-289 and write a response to the following:
• What is your view of the Mongols?  In what ways do Mongol ideas continue to shape our world today?

Military History, 5th Period

Monday:  The World Wars--World War I

Tuesday:  The World Wars--World War II

Wednesday:  The Legacy of the World Wars:  The Cold War

Friday:  Post-Modern War

• Projects due on Monday

Modern World History, 6th Period

Monday:  The Final Years of the War

• Homework (due Wednesday):  Work on your papers

Wednesday:  The Holocaust

• Homework (due Thursday):  work on your papers

Thursday:  World War II--The Last Good War?

• Homework (due Friday): Papers Due

Friday: From World War II to the Cold War

• Homework (due Monday):  read pages 754-757 and write a response to the following: 
• what challenges faced the victors following the conclusion of World War II?  How did they attempt to overcome them?