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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Chapter 6.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli insist that hereditary princedoms are more easily maintained?
(a) The people are already familiar with that form of government.
(b) The prince has more power than a republic.
(c) All people everywhere actually prefer a prince.
(d) The prince changes things often at his own whim.

2. What is Machiavelli offering the Prince Lorenzo de Medici?
(a) A large book of rules for new princes to use in governing the people.
(b) The chance to become king of all Italy.
(c) Means of mastering in a short time all Machiavelli has learned about governing.
(d) Personal introductions to great men Machiavelli knows.

3. The next best way to rule a new territory, according to Machiavelli, is to establish a colony. Why?
(a) The conquered people get lots of land and plenty to eat.
(b) The only people really annoyed will be those who have lost their land.
(c) The people who have been harmed can take revenge easily.
(d) The people can now take justice into their own hands.

4. What reasons does Machiavelli put forward to get Prince Lorenzo to read his book?
(a) Experience and his personal need.
(b) Experience and the absence of flattery.
(c) Experience and his ability as a writer.
(d) Experience and his low-born status.

5. In THE PRINCE, why does Machiavelli deal only with dominions and not republics?
(a) There were no republics in his day.
(b) He thought dominions were much harder to keep.
(c) He wrote about republics in another work.
(d) Dominions are much larger than republics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who does Machiavelli put forward as an example of a King who made all the mistakes in ruling a new territory?

2. What does Machiavelli suggest may make a hereditary ruler unpopular with his people?

3. How does Machiavelli say that those who help a prince obtain a new princedom may turn against him?

4. What combination of circumstances does Machiavelli identify in men like Cyrus, Romulus, and Theseus?

5. What example does Machiavelli give of a conquered territory rebelling against 100 years of servitude?

(see the answer key)

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