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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

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

4. What does Machiavelli say about skilled mercenary captains?
(a) They cannot be trusted.
(b) They will only take orders from the prince.
(c) They are hard to find.
(d) They are too expensive.

5. Citing Moses, Cyrus, Romulus, and Theseus, what distinction does Machiavelli make about Moses?
(a) There was something in Moses, some ability that made him worthy to speak with God.
(b) Instead of ruling the Egyptians after defeating them, he left.
(c) Moses never actually established himself as a leader.
(d) There is no histroy of Moses outside of the Jewish holy writings.

Short Answer Questions

1. Machiavelli says that tensions between the nobles and commoners may result in a principality, a republic, or what other condition?

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

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

4. To whom does Machiavelli compare himself in writing this book?

5. 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?

Short Essay Questions

1. Tell how Machiavelli suggests it is easiest to control a conquered state.

2. Describe the reasons Machiavelli says the German cities are so secure.

3. Explain why Machiavelli believes a newly conquered territory is harder to govern than a hereditary dominion.

4. Why is it easier to rule a princedom than it is to govern a state or republic?

5. What does Machiavelli mean when he says that dominions are obtained by either good Fortune or merit?

6. Why should a new prince not set up a system of magistrates from among the people?

7. Explain why Machiavelli does not speak about Republics in THE PRINCE.

8. To what does Machiavelli ascribe his present circumstances as he writes the book?

9. Describe the weakness Machiavelli sees with using mercenaries as the primary military strength of the prince.

10. Explain how Machiavelli says Cesare Borgia came to power.

(see the answer keys)

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