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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Machiavelli think New Dominions were formed?
(a) Through War and Pestilence.
(b) Through democratic elections.
(c) Through Ability or Accident.
(d) Through Fortune or Ability.

2. What does Machiavelli say are the two foundations necessary for a princedom?
(a) Sound laws and a sound military.
(b) A popular prince and a mercenary military.
(c) Total military rule and a contented public.
(d) Sound laws that do not rely on a military.

3. What problem faces a prince appointed by the nobles?
(a) The people know they have rights under a price appointed by the nobles.
(b) The nobles never have the good will of the people which makes for tensions.
(c) The people will only support a prince appointed by the nobles.
(d) The nobles see themselves as his equal and are not inclined to obey him.

4. What is the irony of the death of Oliverotto of Fermo who came to power by assembling all the leaders for a dinner and then killing them all?
(a) He died of natural causes before he could become Prince of Fermo.
(b) A son of one of the murdered men put poison in his wine.
(c) Cesare Borgia did the same thing to him.
(d) He was accidentally killed by a poorly aimed arrow.

5. What factor does Machiavelli suggest makes it easier to rule a new territory?
(a) If the people have never been ruled before.
(b) If the people speak the same language.
(c) If the new Prince leaves the old rulers in place.
(d) If the people like the new food introduced into the dominion.

6. Machiavelli says some new princes may gain their new states either in exchange for money or as a favor. What other means does he point out for gaining a state?
(a) Promising to lower taxes.
(b) Bribing the military.
(c) Making themselves popular with the people.
(d) Holding many public meetings.

7. Why does Machiavelli say that Prince Lorenzo should not be surprised at what he is saying about new princedoms?
(a) He is citing his own experience as a new prince.
(b) He is the only man who knows the facts he is about to reveal.
(c) He is giving the highest examples from history.
(d) He will talk only about princes he has known personally.

8. How did the Romans maintain control in Capua, Carthage, and Numantia?
(a) They allowed them to select government officials from their own citizens.
(b) They made them all Roman citizens with new priviliges.
(c) They moved the Roman capital to Carthage.
(d) They destroyed them and set up their own system of government.

9. What powerful force does Machiavelli say can efface innovations in government?
(a) Disdain for the past.
(b) Expectations.
(c) More and more innovation.
(d) Memories.

10. Why does Machiavelli say that new territories are harder to govern than hereditary ones?
(a) Old leaders must be kept alive and included in the new government.
(b) Men always think a new government will be worse than before.
(c) It is rarely the case that new rulers improve the lives of the conquered.
(d) People think the new government will be more of the same.

11. What is Machiavelli removing from the political thinking during a time when the Roman Catholic Church was still appointing Emperors?
(a) He is removing constitutional authority.
(b) He is removing objections to the combination of church and state.
(c) He is removing political involvement of the church.
(d) He is removing God from politics and the power equation.

12. Why did Machiavelli say that Italy has been overrun by Charles, plundered by Louis, ravished by Ferdinand, and dishonored by the Swiss?
(a) Because it has no central government.
(b) Because the Italians have forgotten the military methods of the Roman Empire.
(c) Because too many people are in charge of the military.
(d) Because it has had only a mercenary military.

13. What does Machiavelli say will be an advantage to a prince who lost his dominion by force of arms?
(a) The money he was able to stash away before being invaded.
(b) The tendency of new governments to rely heavily on hereditary princes.
(c) A mishap on the part of the new government.
(d) The sympathy of the surrounding dominions.

14. How do the Medici come to power?
(a) Through war.
(b) Through clever political manipulation.
(c) Through democratic elections.
(d) Through inheritance.

15. Why does Machiavelli not use Agathocles as an example of meritorious rise to power?
(a) Because his cruelty continued after he came to power.
(b) Beause he did not plan what to do after he became prince.
(c) Because he came from humble beginnings.
(d) Because he was not successful in gaining control of Sicily.

Short Answer Questions

1. Cesare Borgia was helped in his drive for power by his father. Who was he?

2. What is the advantage of the sole prince as ruler?

3. What are the two types of government identified by Machiavelli?

4. What happened when Rome tried to use the same methods the Spartans had used with Greece?

5. In the event that the prince cannot afford a large army, what should he do?

(see the answer keys)

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