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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the branch of government that Machiavelli recognizes as that which most prevents or causes corruption to come over a city?
(a) The judicial (magistrates) branch.
(b) The plebeian branch.
(c) The princes.
(d) The legislative branch.

2. How does Machiavelli suggest that Princes and other leaders deal with acts that offend their citizens?
(a) Increase their power and penalties for crimes and scare the Citizens into submission and acceptance.
(b) Distract the Citizens by making war against a nearby province.
(c) Increase taxes on the wealthy and use the money in ways that benefit the general masses.
(d) Make the offense quickly then act to reassure them and give them cause to quiet and firm their spirits.

3. What is Machiavelli's explanation for initiating his recommended approach with enemies against an empire?
(a) Because the public humiliation of the enemy will expose supporters to the Citizens who will then act to neutralize the conspiracy.
(b) Because putting the leaders of enemies in positions of public responsibility will require them to make decisions that will be rejected by conspiracies.
(c) Because those who try to crush it, make its force greater, and make that evil which is suspected from it to be accelerated.
(d) Because taking out the head of a movement will lead to the death of the body.

4. What does Machiavelli suggest causes corruption?
(a) Rebellious citizens who defy ruling authorities.
(b) Princes who are preoccupied with seeking pleasure rather than power.
(c) An insufficiency of or inability to enforce laws that deal effectively with corruption.
(d) Princes who are not cruel enough with punishment.

5. How long did Sparta peacefully exist without changing its laws, according to Machiavelli?
(a) 350 years.
(b) Through the reign of Lycurgus.
(c) Until its domination by Rome.
(d) 800 years.

Short Answer Questions

1. What can be inferred of Machiavelli's idea of virtue from reading the review of the first three kings of Rome as he begins his discourse of weak Princes and excellent Princes?

2. What, according to Machiavelli in Book , 1 Section 38, is the fate of irresolute Republics?

3. According to Machiavelli, what caused so much hard work for Rome as it expanded its Empire to distant provinces?

4. How did Machiavelli begin the preface to "The Discourses"?

5. What does Machiavelli claim will make a City great?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Machiavelli consider the naming of a Caesar (dictator) over Rome was beneficial to the Empire?

2. What examples from history does Machiavelli claim offers guidance to leaders?

3. Why does Machiavelli report that the Roman Senate decided to pay a public stipend to the soldiers in the army?

4. What two methods did Machiavelli identify that Roman Nobility drew honor from the Plebes?

5. Why does Machiavelli believe that people who break away from the rule of a Prince have difficulty keeping their freedom?

6. What does Machiavelli claim to be the practice of writers of history who, "...so obey the fortune of the winners...?"

7. What are the two reasons that Machiavelli gives for his opinion that the courts (Faculty of Accusing) are the most necessary and useful authority to guard liberty in a City?

8. Why does Machiavelli recommend to leaders of a Republic to keep a shadow of the institutions that are being reformed?

9. In the title of Book 1, Section 8, what does Machiavelli mean with the phrase, "...so much so calumnies are pernicious...?"

10. Why were the Plebe candidates not suited for the open positions of the Tribunes?

(see the answer keys)

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