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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In acquiring a new dominion, if the prince does not use the force of his own arms, what alternative does Machiavelli suggest?
(a) Free elections.
(b) The arms of others.
(c) Appeals to the Pope of Rome.
(d) Political intrigue.

2. What is the advantage of the prince selected by the people?
(a) He will have their support because all they want is not to be oppresed.
(b) The people will see the prince change them in many ways.
(c) He will be unable to ignore the wishes of the nobles.
(d) The nobles will always see this as a good sign and cooperate with the prince.

3. 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 had only a mercenary military.
(b) Because too many people are in charge of the military.
(c) Because it has no central government.
(d) Because the Italians have forgotten the military methods of the Roman Empire.

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

5. What combination of circumstances does Machiavelli identify in men like Cyrus, Romulus, and Theseus?
(a) Time and location.
(b) Strength and fortitude.
(c) Opportunity and merit.
(d) Pride and ability.

6. What does Machiavelli insist about a Prince who lost his dominion by force?
(a) He would have to run for his life and never return.
(b) It would be easy to get it back.
(c) He would lose all popularity with the people.
(d) The people would forget all about him.

7. What are the two types of government identified by Machiavelli?
(a) Kingdom and City State.
(b) State and Dominion.
(c) City State and Territory.
(d) State and Republic.

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

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

10. Machiavelli says that tensions between the nobles and commoners may result in a principality, a republic, or what other condition?
(a) Indifference.
(b) Democracy.
(c) Heavy taxation.
(d) Anarchy.

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

12. What can deprive a prince of his princedom?
(a) Revolution among the lowest class of subjects.
(b) Public elections.
(c) Disagreements within a family of hereditary rulers.
(d) Extrodinary and irresistable force.

13. What one thing does Machiavelli insist that every prince needs?
(a) A strong military.
(b) The good will of the people.
(c) Deep pockets.
(d) To read his book.

14. 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 political involvement of the church.
(c) He is removing objections to the combination of church and state.
(d) He is removing God from politics and the power equation.

15. Does Machiavelli suggest that rising to power through cruelty is always wrong?
(a) He states that political assassination is not cruelty.
(b) He believes that cruelty must continue to be successful.
(c) He suggests that there is a proper use of cruelty.
(d) He says any use of cruelty cannot be justified.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Machiavelli think New Dominions were formed?

2. 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?

3. How does Machiavelli say Agathocles became Prince of Syracuse?

4. What is it that Machiavelli refrains from doing in his book?

5. Why does Machiavelli not discuss democracies?

(see the answer keys)

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