- 1. In 'Stilwell and the American Experience in China,' Barbara W. Tuchman offers a compelling narrative that encapsulates the complex relationship between America and China during a pivotal period in history, particularly through the lens of General Joseph Stilwell's experiences during World War II. Tuchman delves into Stilwell's unique personality, remarkable military career, and his profound commitment to his mission in China, where he served as a crucial liaison between the American military and the Nationalist forces led by Chiang Kai-shek. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Tuchman explores the cultural and political landscapes of wartime China, highlighting the challenges faced by American troops and the often turbulent dynamics of diplomacy. The work reflects on themes of leadership, cultural misunderstanding, and the harsh realities of war, while also illuminating the broader implications of the American military presence in China and its impact on Sino-American relations in the decades that followed. Tuchman's narrative not only highlights Stilwell's strategic military decisions but also portrays the human experience amid chaos, making this book an essential read for anyone interested in military history, international relations, and the intricate tapestry of American engagement in foreign lands.
What was Joseph Stilwell's nickname among his troops?
A) Vinegar Joe
B) Old Hickory
C) Blood and Guts
D) Fighting Joe
- 2. What position did Stilwell hold in China during World War II?
A) U.S. Ambassador to China
B) Military Attaché
C) Chief of Staff to Chiang Kai-shek
D) OSS Station Chief
- 3. Which Chinese leader did Stilwell frequently clash with?
A) Zhou Enlai
B) Wang Jingwei
C) Mao Zedong
D) Chiang Kai-shek
- 4. What was the name of the road Stilwell built from India to China?
A) Stilwell Highway
B) Burma Road
C) Hump Route
D) Ledo Road
- 5. In what year was Stilwell recalled from China by Roosevelt?
A) 1945
B) 1944
C) 1943
D) 1942
- 6. Which battle marked Stilwell's retreat from Burma in 1942?
A) Battle of Shanghai
B) Battle of Wuhan
C) Battle of Myitkyina
D) Battle of Changsha
- 7. What was Stilwell's primary criticism of Chiang Kai-shek's regime?
A) Pro-Japanese stance
B) Communist sympathies
C) Corruption and incompetence
D) Anti-American policies
- 8. Which U.S. president recalled Stilwell from China?
A) Herbert Hoover
B) Harry Truman
C) Dwight Eisenhower
D) Franklin D. Roosevelt
- 9. What was the codename for the air supply route over the Himalayas?
A) The Tiger
B) The Eagle
C) The Hump
D) The Dragon
- 10. Which Chinese communist leader did Stilwell respect?
A) Deng Xiaoping
B) Mao Zedong
C) Lin Biao
D) Zhou Enlai
- 11. What was the main goal of Stilwell's military strategy in China?
A) Defend Shanghai
B) Reopen the Burma Road
C) Capture Beijing
D) Invade Japan
- 12. Which battle was Stilwell's only major victory in Burma?
A) Kohima
B) Imphal
C) Myitkyina
D) Mandalay
- 13. What was Tuchman's main thesis about Stilwell's experience?
A) Stilwell's military genius
B) Chinese betrayal of America
C) Japanese military superiority
D) American misunderstanding of China
- 14. How did Stilwell die?
A) Stomach cancer
B) Heart attack
C) Combat wounds
D) Plane crash
- 15. What was the 'Dixie Mission' that Stilwell supported?
A) U.S. observers to Chinese communists
B) Supply mission to Nationalists
C) Rescue mission for POWs
D) Diplomatic mission to Japan
- 16. What was Stilwell's famous quote about his Burma retreat?
A) "The worse day of my life"
B) "I shall return"
C) "A glorious defeat"
D) "We got a hell of a beating"
- 17. Which U.S. general replaced Stilwell in China?
A) Douglas MacArthur
B) George Patton
C) Omar Bradley
D) Albert Wedemeyer
- 18. What was Stilwell's assessment of Chinese communist forces?
A) Poorly organized
B) Pro-Japanese
C) More effective than Nationalists
D) Badly equipped
- 19. What was the primary purpose of the Ledo Road?
A) Evacuation route
B) Offensive against Japan
C) Trade with India
D) Supply route to China
- 20. What military academy did Stilwell graduate from?
A) Annapolis
B) Virginia Military Institute
C) Sandhurst
D) West Point
- 21. Who was Stilwell's primary American superior during most of his China service?
A) Dwight Eisenhower
B) George Marshall
C) Douglas MacArthur
D) Chester Nimitz
- 22. What was the name of Stilwell's diary published after his death?
A) The Stilwell Papers
B) Vinegar Joe's War
C) China Diary
D) The Burma Campaign
- 23. In what year was Tuchman's book published?
A) 1971
B) 1985
C) 1945
D) 1955
- 24. What was Chennault's primary military force in China?
A) Marine Raiders
B) Flying Tigers
C) Army Air Corps
D) Navy SEALs
- 25. What was the code name for the China-Burma-India theater?
A) PAC
B) EAS
C) CBI
D) ASI
- 26. What was Stilwell's primary criticism of Chiang Kai-shek's strategy?
A) Poor logistics planning
B) Hoarding troops for postwar power
C) Inadequate training
D) Too aggressive against Japan
- 27. Which Chinese general did Stilwell particularly respect?
A) Chen Cheng
B) Bai Chongxi
C) He Yingqin
D) Sun Li-jen
- 28. What was the main strategic goal of keeping China in the war?
A) Tie down Japanese forces
B) Protect British colonies
C) Secure oil supplies
D) Prepare for Soviet invasion
- 29. Which American diplomat often sided with Chiang against Stilwell?
A) George Marshall
B) Patrick Hurley
C) Dean Acheson
D) Cordell Hull
- 30. Which major conference discussed China's role in the war?
A) Tehran Conference
B) Cairo Conference
C) Yalta Conference
D) Potsdam Conference
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