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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) Memories.
(b) More and more innovation.
(c) Expectations.
(d) Disdain for the past.

2. What happened when Rome tried to use the same methods the Spartans had used with Greece?
(a) They found it easy to get Greeks to adopt Roman ways.
(b) They failed and had to go back and destroy many cities.
(c) They succeeded by expanding on the Spartan idea.
(d) They succeeded by adding Roman universities to the Greek educational system.

3. 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 was accidentally killed by a poorly aimed arrow.
(b) A son of one of the murdered men put poison in his wine.
(c) He died of natural causes before he could become Prince of Fermo.
(d) Cesare Borgia did the same thing to him.

4. Why does Machiavelli say that new territories are harder to govern than hereditary ones?
(a) People think the new government will be more of the same.
(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) Old leaders must be kept alive and included in the new government.

5. What does Machiavelli suggest may make a hereditary ruler unpopular with his people?
(a) Outrageous vices.
(b) Never changing the way they are accustomed to being ruled.
(c) Staying away from the princedom for long periods of time.
(d) Using his army to gain more territory.

6. How does Machiavelli say that the successors of Alexander the Great were able to retain power after his untimely death?
(a) They did not let the people know that Alexander had died.
(b) The people were so happy to be rid of Darius that they accepted anyone else.
(c) The people did not care who ruled them.
(d) Under his system, governance was easily transferred to his appointed ministers.

7. 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 brilliant and vocal Prince.
(d) A Prince who knows how to keep the people in line by force.

8. What is Machiavelli's example of rule by a sole prince?
(a) The Holy Roman Empire.
(b) The Turk empire.
(c) The Kingdom of Spain.
(d) The Kingdom of France.

9. What is it that Machiavelli prizes most of his possessions?
(a) Horses and armor.
(b) Fine fabrics.
(c) His knowledge of the actions of great men.
(d) Gold and precious gems.

10. Cesare Borgia was helped in his drive for power by his father. Who was he?
(a) King Luis XII of France.
(b) Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan.
(c) The military head of the Orsini.
(d) Pope Alexander IV.

11. 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 will talk only about princes he has known personally.
(c) He is giving the highest examples from history.
(d) He is the only man who knows the facts he is about to reveal.

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

13. Aside from humble beginnings, what does Machiavelli say that Agathocles and Oliverotto have in common?
(a) They knew what they wanted and made a plan to get it.
(b) They got their positions from other princes.
(c) They were both Italians.
(d) They refused to resort to political assassination.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What was Machiavelli's method for learning political government?

2. What does Machiavelli see as the problem with barons?

3. What does Machiavelli say will be an advantage to a prince who lost his dominion by force of arms?

4. Machiavelli gives the example of how Cesare Borgia used Minister Remiro d'Orco in his plan to rule Romagna. After d'Orco brought the territory under control, what does Machiavelli say Cesare Borgia did to get the loyalty of the people?

5. What is Machiavelli removing from the political thinking during a time when the Roman Catholic Church was still appointing Emperors?

(see the answer keys)

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