IR 320 Study Guide (J) UPDATED ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
"Der Dolchstoss" ("The Stab in the Back" Myth) A German conspiracy theory that claimed Germany lost WWI because of traitors
at home (Jews, socialists, liberals) rather than military defeat. Used by Hitler and
the Nazis to gain power.
"Men Against Fire" The title of an influential article published by S.L.A. Marshall in 1947, in which he
argues that soldiers in combat are reluctant to fire their weapons and often miss
their targets intentionally
"Professionalization" of war Keeping a standing army during peacetime
1806 Continental System Tariff and restrictive trade to penalize France/European competitors
1807 British Orders in Council Blockaded Napoleonic Europe
1807 Non-Intercourse Act illegal to export US goods to UK/FR
1856 Treaty of Paris adds to Russia's humiliation, no navy in Black Sea, no longer authority on Ottoman
Christians growing emnity towards DE/AUS, spur for "Great Reforms", abolition of
serfdom, period of remarkable dynamism
4 Levels of Innovation from Napoleon Technological: Standardized artillery (Gribeauval System). Tactical: Mixed column
and line formations Strategic: Corps d'Armée for mobility. Ideological:Levee en
Masse (national armies).
ABMs Anti-ballistic missiles, Sentinel and Safeguard projects switch from liquid to solid
fuel, liquid fails a lot and long time to prepare
, Aerial Warfare in WWI Definition: The first major war with aircraft used for reconnaissance, bombing, and
dogfights. Key Figures: Red Baron (Manfred von Richthofen)—Germany's top
fighter ace. Impact: Surveillance planes provided critical battlefield intelligence.
Dogfighting became common as aircraft evolved.
Agriculture as the Foundation of Civilization The shift from hunting and gathering to farming, which enabled permanent
settlements and the rise of civilizations.Neolithic Period (c. 10,000 BCE) Created
food surpluses, allowing population growth and specialization.Led to social
hierarchies, trade networks, and organized governance.Allowed technological
advancements (writing, irrigation, metal tools).
Airplane The Red Baron Started out manually dropping bombs and darts Dogfights- air
power exploded during the war, air combat was not the "romance" portrayed
nowadays. It was short, sharp, ugly. Lifespan of pilot was measured in weeks. Role
of aircraft: Observation and reconaissance (primary mission) Close air support Air-
to-air combat (often incidental to reconaissance mission)
Alcibiades ( 450 - 404 BCE): Athenian nobleman who persuaded assembly to embark on the
Sicilian expedition, a well-connected man often associated with controversy, was
banished from Athens many times, switched sides during the Peloponnesian War
from Athens to Sparta and back to Athens, latter helped by his infusion of Persian
money, murdered in Thrace
ALCMs Air Launch Cruise Missile cruise missile descends and flies low under radar and
hones in on target, terrain contour mapping
Alexander the Great further innovations. Changed length of spears, but he was a conquerer. His legacy
was conquering the Persian empire.
Alfred the Great 871-899 first great English castle of wooden walls, defended the Anglo Saxon
England against the Danes/Vikings Fortifications/cities had been reduced to
shabby wooden structures. Primitive cities and fortifications
American Civil War First "industrial war" where railroads, telegraph and mass-produced modern rifles
and artillery would be decision-makers; industrial means of killing, levee en
masse-sized forces of Napoleonic wars
American Revolution USA won because of citizen soldier ideals (minutemen, patriotism), ambush
warfare, allies; even though they lacked some of the tech advancements of the
British
American Springfield rifle remains in arsenal until WWII, supplanted by M1 carbine
Animal Domestication The breeding and training of animals for food, labor, and companionship. Began
around 10,000 BCE. Provided meat, milk, transportation, and plowing power.
Allowed for more complex societies and economies.Germs from domesticated
animals led to immunity development (Diamond's theory in Guns, Germs, and
Steel).
"Der Dolchstoss" ("The Stab in the Back" Myth) A German conspiracy theory that claimed Germany lost WWI because of traitors
at home (Jews, socialists, liberals) rather than military defeat. Used by Hitler and
the Nazis to gain power.
"Men Against Fire" The title of an influential article published by S.L.A. Marshall in 1947, in which he
argues that soldiers in combat are reluctant to fire their weapons and often miss
their targets intentionally
"Professionalization" of war Keeping a standing army during peacetime
1806 Continental System Tariff and restrictive trade to penalize France/European competitors
1807 British Orders in Council Blockaded Napoleonic Europe
1807 Non-Intercourse Act illegal to export US goods to UK/FR
1856 Treaty of Paris adds to Russia's humiliation, no navy in Black Sea, no longer authority on Ottoman
Christians growing emnity towards DE/AUS, spur for "Great Reforms", abolition of
serfdom, period of remarkable dynamism
4 Levels of Innovation from Napoleon Technological: Standardized artillery (Gribeauval System). Tactical: Mixed column
and line formations Strategic: Corps d'Armée for mobility. Ideological:Levee en
Masse (national armies).
ABMs Anti-ballistic missiles, Sentinel and Safeguard projects switch from liquid to solid
fuel, liquid fails a lot and long time to prepare
, Aerial Warfare in WWI Definition: The first major war with aircraft used for reconnaissance, bombing, and
dogfights. Key Figures: Red Baron (Manfred von Richthofen)—Germany's top
fighter ace. Impact: Surveillance planes provided critical battlefield intelligence.
Dogfighting became common as aircraft evolved.
Agriculture as the Foundation of Civilization The shift from hunting and gathering to farming, which enabled permanent
settlements and the rise of civilizations.Neolithic Period (c. 10,000 BCE) Created
food surpluses, allowing population growth and specialization.Led to social
hierarchies, trade networks, and organized governance.Allowed technological
advancements (writing, irrigation, metal tools).
Airplane The Red Baron Started out manually dropping bombs and darts Dogfights- air
power exploded during the war, air combat was not the "romance" portrayed
nowadays. It was short, sharp, ugly. Lifespan of pilot was measured in weeks. Role
of aircraft: Observation and reconaissance (primary mission) Close air support Air-
to-air combat (often incidental to reconaissance mission)
Alcibiades ( 450 - 404 BCE): Athenian nobleman who persuaded assembly to embark on the
Sicilian expedition, a well-connected man often associated with controversy, was
banished from Athens many times, switched sides during the Peloponnesian War
from Athens to Sparta and back to Athens, latter helped by his infusion of Persian
money, murdered in Thrace
ALCMs Air Launch Cruise Missile cruise missile descends and flies low under radar and
hones in on target, terrain contour mapping
Alexander the Great further innovations. Changed length of spears, but he was a conquerer. His legacy
was conquering the Persian empire.
Alfred the Great 871-899 first great English castle of wooden walls, defended the Anglo Saxon
England against the Danes/Vikings Fortifications/cities had been reduced to
shabby wooden structures. Primitive cities and fortifications
American Civil War First "industrial war" where railroads, telegraph and mass-produced modern rifles
and artillery would be decision-makers; industrial means of killing, levee en
masse-sized forces of Napoleonic wars
American Revolution USA won because of citizen soldier ideals (minutemen, patriotism), ambush
warfare, allies; even though they lacked some of the tech advancements of the
British
American Springfield rifle remains in arsenal until WWII, supplanted by M1 carbine
Animal Domestication The breeding and training of animals for food, labor, and companionship. Began
around 10,000 BCE. Provided meat, milk, transportation, and plowing power.
Allowed for more complex societies and economies.Germs from domesticated
animals led to immunity development (Diamond's theory in Guns, Germs, and
Steel).
