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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Machiavelli say was the real cause of Cesare Borgia's ultimate failure?
(a) His ill health after the death of his father.
(b) His opposition from the new Pope after the death of Alexander IV.
(c) His bad choices of political allies.
(d) His lack of knowledge of what to do after his father's death.

2. What is the Renaissance Italian's view of political misfortune?
(a) Perceived weakness on the part of opponents.
(b) Punishment of God for misdeeds.
(c) Lack of ability to govern.
(d) Something that just happens.

3. One Princedom, according to Machiavelli, is ruled by a sole prince; the other is by a prince and his barons. What does Machiavelli see as a weakness of the latter?
(a) If the prince dies the barons all lose their hereditary titles.
(b) The barons hold their titles by heredity and not by the favor of the prince, so there is less loyalty.
(c) The prince does always knows what the barons are doing in their territories.
(d) The prince becomes lazy and leaves everything up to the barons.

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

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

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

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

8. After gaining dominions by merit, how does Machiavelli say a prince can hold his new territories?
(a) It is impossible.
(b) With great difficulty.
(c) Rarely.
(d) Easily.

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

10. 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 raise taxes.
(c) The new Prince should go away and let the people have self-rule.
(d) The new Prince should live there.

11. The next best way to rule a new territory, according to Machiavelli, is to establish a colony. Why?
(a) The people who have been harmed can take revenge easily.
(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 only people really annoyed will be those who have lost their land.

12. What is the advantage of the sole prince as ruler?
(a) In case of revolt, there is only one person to assassinate.
(b) There is only one person of higher rank than the prince.
(c) The people vest in him more complete authority.
(d) No one is confused about who the ruler is.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. How does Machiavelli describe the temper (mindset) of the public?

4. What does say the sole prince can do that the prince with barons cannot?

5. What is the custom of Machiavelli's day in approaching a prince?

(see the answer keys)

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