Strange Defeat by Marc Bloch
- 1. Strange Defeat is a poignant and reflective work by the French historian Marc Bloch, written in the aftermath of France's devastating defeat in the 1940 Battle of France during World War II. In this remarkable piece, Bloch, who was both a historian and a soldier, explores the myriad of political, social, and military factors that contributed to the rapid collapse of the French army and the country's government in the face of the German blitzkrieg. Through a blend of personal narrative and rigorous historical analysis, he delves into the psychological state of the French populace, the failures of leadership, and the pervasive disillusionment that gripped the nation. With a clear-eyed examination of his own experiences as a soldier, Bloch provides not only a critique of the French military strategy but also an exploration of the broader cultural and philosophical implications of defeat. His reflections on the nature of history, memory, and the responsibilities of scholars resonate deeply, making Strange Defeat not only a historical account but also a profound meditation on the fate of a nation in crisis. Ultimately, Bloch's work serves as both a warning and a call to introspection about the consequences of complacency and the importance of understanding one's own historical legacy.
Marc Bloch was a member of which profession?
A) Diplomat
B) Novelist
C) Military General
D) Historian
- 2. In what capacity did Bloch experience the events described in 'Strange Defeat'?
A) As a foreign correspondent
B) As a French army officer
C) As a civilian refugee
D) As a government minister
- 3. What does Bloch identify as a major cause of France's defeat?
A) Betrayal by allies
B) Lack of soldier courage
C) Inferior military equipment
D) Intellectual and moral failure of leadership
- 4. What was Bloch's fate after writing the manuscript?
A) Executed by the Gestapo
B) Became a collaborator
C) Fled to England
D) Died of natural causes
- 5. When was 'Strange Defeat' first published?
A) 1939
B) 1946
C) 1940
D) 1955
- 6. Bloch was a co-founder of which influential historical journal?
A) The American Historical Review
B) Annales
C) History Today
D) Past & Present
- 7. Bloch's analysis is notable for combining his perspective as a:
A) Historian and participant
B) Spy and academic
C) Journalist and general
D) Politician and soldier
- 8. What did Bloch believe about the role of intellectuals in the defeat?
A) They were the primary traitors
B) They had no influence on events
C) They provided the best military leaders
D) They were too detached from practical reality
- 9. For Bloch, what was the ultimate failure?
A) A failure of industrial production
B) A failure of weather forecasting
C) A failure of international diplomacy
D) A failure of thought and spirit
- 10. In what year was 'Strange Defeat' written?
A) 1944
B) 1939
C) 1945
D) 1940
- 11. What was Bloch's religion?
A) Catholic
B) Atheist
C) Protestant
D) Jewish
- 12. Bloch was a veteran of which previous major war?
A) Crimean War
B) Spanish Civil War
C) Franco-Prussian War
D) World War I
- 13. The original French title of the book is...
A) La Chute de la France
B) L'Étrange Défaite
C) Le Désastre
D) Mémoires de Guerre
- 14. Bloch was associated with which university?
A) Heidelberg
B) Sorbonne
C) Oxford
D) Harvard
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