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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What does Machiavelli suggest makes for peace in a dominion?
(a) Each day being the same as the day before.
(b) A Prince who knows how to hide his bad habits.
(c) A Prince who knows how to keep the people in line by force.
(d) A brilliant and vocal Prince.

3. Ending his discussion of Ecclesiastical Dominions, why is Machiavelli so circumspect about the current Pope?
(a) Pope Leo is the uncle of Lorenzo de Medici.
(b) Pope Leo might give Machiavelli a job.
(c) Pope Leo fears Niccolo Machiavelli.
(d) Pope Leo does not support the Medici.

4. After Alexander VI, how did the Pope continue to strengthen the Church's position?
(a) By military invasions of other dominions.
(b) By selling ecclesiastical offices and annexing land.
(c) By gaining more popularity among the Italians.
(d) By putting monasteries in new dominions.

5. What example does Machiavelli give of a dominion that is a limb of a larger one?
(a) The Prince of Venice as part of the dominions of France.
(b) The Medici as part of the Borgia dominions.
(c) The Holy Roman Empire.
(d) The King of Naples as part of the dominions of Spain.

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

7. Why is setting up a system of government using conquered citizens effective?
(a) They do not have to pay tribute to the new prince.
(b) They do not have to make friends of the new prince.
(c) They see they cannot survive without the protection and support of the conquering prince.
(d) They see that everything will be exactly like their old government.

8. Prior to Charles VIII of France coming to Italy, what was the main focus of the Pope, the Venetians, the King of Naples, the Duke of Milan, and the Florentines?
(a) To war among themselves.
(b) To restore the Roman Empire.
(c) To form an Italian Republic.
(d) To keep foreigners out of Italy.

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

10. What type of principality does Machiavelli claim may be kept without talent or fortune?
(a) Hereditary.
(b) Absolute monarchy.
(c) Monastic.
(d) Ecclesiastical.

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

12. What does Machiavelli suggest is the best solution for governing a new territory?
(a) The new Prince should go away and let the people have self-rule.
(b) The new Prince should live there.
(c) The new Prince should kill his own military commanders.
(d) The new Prince should raise taxes.

13. What was the motivation for Machiavelli to write THE PRINCE?
(a) He wanted to become a prince.
(b) He wanted to become a famous author.
(c) He wanted to start a revolution.
(d) He wanted Prince Lorenzo de Medici to employ him.

14. What does Machiavelli cite as the measure of strength of a principality?
(a) Enough money to pay bribes.
(b) The ability to field a strong army.
(c) The total land area of the principality.
(d) The popularity of the prince.

15. Who does Machiavelli say should always be in charge of the troops in a princedom?
(a) A well paid mercenary captain.
(b) A relative of the prince.
(c) A trusted civilian commander.
(d) The prince himself.

Short Answer Questions

1. The cities of what country are given as good examples of fortification?

2. What advantage does Machiavelli point out for Princes who rule hereditary dominions?

3. What one thing does Machiavelli insist that every prince needs?

4. Why does Machiavelli say that new territories are harder to govern than hereditary ones?

5. What does Machiavelli see as an inevitable result of changes in government?

(see the answer keys)

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