Free Printable Worksheets for learning Military History at the College level

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Military History

Military history involves the study of the development and use of military power and warfare in human history. It encompasses an understanding of the evolution of warfare, as well as the social, political, economic, and cultural factors that have shaped it throughout different time periods.

Key Concepts

  • Battle tactics and strategy
  • Weapons and technology
  • Leaders and generals
  • Military organizations and structures
  • Military culture and traditions

Important Periods in Military History

  • Ancient Warfare (c. 4000 BCE – 500 CE)
  • Medieval Warfare (c. 500 CE – 1500 CE)
  • Early Modern Warfare (c. 1500 CE – 1800 CE)
  • Industrial Warfare (c. 1800 CE – 1945 CE)
  • Modern Warfare (c. 1945 CE – present)

Key Battles and Events in Military History

  • Battle of Marathon (490 BCE)
  • Battle of Hastings (1066 CE)
  • Battle of Agincourt (1415 CE)
  • Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815)
  • World War I (1914-1918)
  • World War II (1939-1945)
  • Operation Desert Storm (1991)
  • Iraq War (2003-2011)

Important Figures in Military History

  • Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE), Macedonian general and conqueror
  • Julius Caesar (100-44 BCE), Roman general and statesman
  • Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), French military and political leader
  • George Washington (1732-1799), American founding father and commander-in-chief during the American Revolutionary War
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), American general and President during World War II

Takeaways

  • Military history provides insight into the intersection of warfare, politics, and society
  • An understanding of key historical events and figures helps us analyze and learn from past military conflicts
  • Military history can inform current military strategies and policies.

Here's some sample Military History vocabulary lists Sign in to generate your own vocabulary list worksheet.

Word Definition
Battlefield A piece of land where a battle is fought.
Artillery Large guns that are moved on wheels or field carriages, pulled by horses or vehicles for use in warfare.
Infantry Soldiers who fight on foot.
Cavalry Soldiers who fight on horseback.
Strategy A plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall aim.
Tactic An action or strategy carefully planned to achieve a specific end.
Troops A body of soldiers or police officers standing or moving together.
Siege A military operation in which enemy forces surround a town or building, cutting off essential supplies, with the aim of compelling those inside to surrender.
Mobilization The action of a country or its government preparing and organizing troops for active service.
Reconnaissance Military observation of a region to locate an enemy or ascertain strategic features.
Arsenal A collection of weapons and military equipment stored by a country, person, or group.
Guerrilla A member of a small independent group taking part in irregular fighting, typically against larger regular forces.
Paratrooper A soldier who is trained to parachute from airplanes and land safely on the ground.
Commando A soldier specially trained to carry out raids.
Resistance The refusal to accept or comply with something; the attempt to prevent something by action or argument. In military context, resistance refers to opposition forces fighting against an occupying power.
Airborne Relating to or involving troops moved or engaged in military operations on board aircraft.
Amphibious Relating to, living in, or suited for both land and water. The term is often used to refer to military operations that involve both land and sea.
Camouflage The disguising of military personnel, equipment, and installations by painting or covering them to make them blend in with their surroundings.
Trauma A deeply distressing or disturbing experience, often associated with soldiers who have experienced combat.
Veteran A person who has served in the military, especially one who has fought in a war.
Victory A condition of winning a battle, war, election or other competition.

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Military History Study Guide

Introduction

Military History is the study of wars, battles, and revolutions, as well as the evolution of military tactics and technology. This subject covers a wide range of topics, from the ancient world to the present day.

Key Concepts

Strategy

Strategy is the overall plan used to achieve military goals. It involves the deployment of resources and forces to achieve a desired outcome.

Tactics

Tactics are the methods used by military forces to achieve their strategic goals. They involve the use of weapons, terrain, and other factors to gain an advantage over the enemy.

Technology

Military technology has played a significant role in shaping history. From the development of the chariot in ancient times to the use of drones in modern warfare, military technology has been used to gain an advantage on the battlefield.

Leadership

Military leaders have played a crucial role in the success or failure of armies throughout history. The leadership of figures such as Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Douglas MacArthur have left a lasting impact on military history.

Important Events

Ancient Battles

Battles from ancient civilizations offer insight into warfare tactics and strategies of the past. Key battles include:

  • The Battle of Marathon (490 BCE)
  • The Battle of Gaugamela (331 BCE)
  • The Battle of Cannae (216 BCE)

Modern Warfare

Recent wars have shaped the course of history, particularly in the modern era. Important events include:

  • World War I (1914-1918)
  • World War II (1939-1945)
  • The Gulf War (1990-1991)

Notable Military Leaders

Ancient Leaders

  • Alexander the Great
  • Julius Caesar
  • Sun Tzu

Modern Leaders

  • Napoleon Bonaparte
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower
  • Douglas MacArthur

Key Military Technologies

Ancient Technologies

  • Chariots
  • Catapults
  • Roman Siege Engines

Modern Technologies

  • Tanks
  • Drones
  • Nuclear Weapons

Conclusion

Studying Military History provides key insights into the evolution of warfare, leadership, and technology. Understanding the events of the past can help us better understand the world we live in today.

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Military History Practice Sheet

Essay Questions

  1. What were the main factors that led to the development of military technology during World War II? How did these advancements influence the outcome of the war?
  2. Discuss the role of military intelligence in the American Civil War. How did military intelligence affect the strategies and tactics of both Union and Confederate armies?
  3. Compare and contrast the tactics and strategies used in the Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of Normandy. What were the key differences in these battles, and how did they impact the outcome of World War II?
  4. Analyze the impact of trench warfare on soldiers during World War I. What were the psychological effects of this type of warfare, and how did soldiers cope with the constant danger and stress?
  5. Describe the key events and battles of the Peloponnesian War. How did the outcome of this war shape military tactics and strategies for centuries to come?

Short Answer Questions

  1. Who were the Janissaries, and what was their role in the Ottoman Empire?
  2. What was the importance of the Battle of Agincourt in the Hundred Years' War, and how did English military tactics contribute to their victory?
  3. How did the use of propaganda and psychological warfare affect the outcome of World War II?
  4. What was the significance of the Battle of Waterloo in European history, and how did it contribute to the downfall of Napoleon?
  5. Describe the key features and abilities of the Roman Legion. How did the use of this military formation contribute to the success of the Roman Empire?

Primary Source Analysis

Read and evaluate the following primary source:

I have come to you to ask one thing, declared General Douglas MacArthur in a speech to the cadets at West Point in 1962. I want an American army, fully equipped, fed, and clothed, that knows no equal on earth, an army that will be looked upon by posterity as the deadliest instrument of war yet forged in the history of mankind.

  1. What does General MacArthur's speech reveal about his perception of the role of the American military?
  2. What values does MacArthur prioritize in building a strong military, and how are these values reflected in his speech?
  3. What historical events and trends might have influenced MacArthur's thinking on the role of the military in American society?
  4. In what ways does MacArthur's speech reflect or challenge traditional notions of American military strategy and tactics?

Military History Practice Sheet

  1. What are the key differences between the strategies employed by the British and French during the Seven Years’ War?

  2. Describe the role of the U.S. military in the Vietnam War.

  3. How did the German Blitzkrieg tactics of World War II differ from the strategies used during World War I?

  4. What were the primary causes of the Korean War?

  5. Describe the role of the U.S. military in the Persian Gulf War.

  6. How did the tactics of the American Revolutionaries differ from those of the British?

  7. Describe the role of the U.S. military in the Cold War.

  8. What were the primary causes of World War I?

  9. How did the tactics of the Union and Confederate forces differ in the American Civil War?

  10. Describe the role of the U.S. military in the War on Terror.

Military History Practice Sheet

  1. What is the primary purpose of a military?
  2. Name two important military figures in the American Revolutionary War.
  3. What was the significance of the Battle of Gettysburg?
  4. What is the difference between a conscript and a volunteer soldier?
  5. What was the main cause of World War I?
  6. How did the invention of the machine gun affect warfare?
  7. What was the purpose of the Blitzkrieg tactic?
  8. What is the definition of asymmetric warfare?
  9. What was the main cause of World War II?
  10. How did the atomic bomb affect the outcome of World War II?

Here's some sample Military History quizzes Sign in to generate your own quiz worksheet.

Problem Answer
Name the battle in 480 BC in which an alliance of Greek city-states defeated the Persian Empire. Battle of Salamis
Which war was known as the “War to End All Wars”? World War I
Which country created the first permanent standing army? France
Who wrote the book titled The Art of War Sun Tzu
Who was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution? George Washington
What battle was the turning point in the Pacific theatre of World War II? Battle of Midway
What method of fighting were the Native American tribes known for, which inspired the U.S Army to create a new elite unit? Guerrilla Warfare
Which battle was the largest and deadliest of the First World War, resulting in over 1 million casualties? Battle of the Somme
What was the main reason behind Japan's decision to attack Pearl Harbor in December 1941? To weaken the Pacific Fleet in order to gain time for Japan's expansion into Southeast Asia
In what year did Israel achieve a stunning victory in the Six Day War, capturing the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and Golan Heights? 1967
Question Answer
What was the purpose of the Schlieffen Plan? The Schlieffen Plan was a strategic plan devised by the German General Staff in 1905 to secure a quick victory against France and Russia in a two-front war. It was named after its chief architect, General Alfred von Schlieffen.
What was the purpose of the Maginot Line? The Maginot Line was a line of fortifications built by France in the 1930s along its border with Germany. It was intended to deter a German invasion and was named after the French Minister of War, André Maginot.
What was the purpose of the Battle of Stalingrad? The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle of World War II in which the German 6th Army was defeated by the Soviet Union. It was a major turning point in the war and was a major victory for the Soviets.
What was the purpose of the Battle of Midway? The Battle of Midway was a major naval battle of World War II in which the United States Navy decisively defeated the Japanese Imperial Navy. It was a major turning point in the war in the Pacific and was a major victory for the United States.
What was the purpose of the Battle of the Bulge? The Battle of the Bulge was a major battle of World War II in which the German Army attempted to break through the Allied lines in the Ardennes region of Belgium. It was a major offensive by the Germans and was a major defeat for them.
What was the purpose of the Battle of the Somme? The Battle of the Somme was a major battle of World War I in which the British and French Armies attempted to break through the German lines on the Western Front. It was a major offensive by the Allies and was a major defeat for them.
What was the purpose of the Battle of Gettysburg? The Battle of Gettysburg was a major battle of the American Civil War in which the Union Army defeated the Confederate Army. It was a major turning point in the war and was a major victory for the Union.
What was the purpose of the Battle of Waterloo? The Battle of Waterloo was a major battle of the Napoleonic Wars in which the British and Prussian Armies defeated the French Army. It was a major defeat for Napoleon and was a major victory for the Allies.
What was the purpose of the Battle of Hastings? The Battle of Hastings was a major battle of the Norman Conquest in which William the Conqueror defeated the English Army. It was a major victory for William and was a major defeat for the English.
What was the purpose of the Battle of Trafalgar? The Battle of Trafalgar was a major naval battle of the Napoleonic Wars in which the British Royal Navy decisively defeated the French and Spanish fleets. It was a major victory for the British and was a major defeat for the French and Spanish.

Quiz: Military History

Questions Answers
Who wrote the famous book, The Art of War? Sun Tzu
What was the main weapon used by the Ancient Greeks? Hoplite spear
Who was the leader of the Roman Republic? Julius Caesar
Who was the leader of the Byzantine Empire? Justinian I
What was the first major battle of World War I? Battle of the Marne
Who was the leader of the Nazi Party? Adolf Hitler
What was the name of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor? Operation Z
What was the code name for the Allied invasion of Normandy? Operation Overlord
What was the name of the Cold War policy of containment? Truman Doctrine
What was the name of the international organization formed at the end of World War II? United Nations
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