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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. In THE PRINCE, why does Machiavelli deal only with dominions and not republics?
(a) Dominions are much larger than republics.
(b) There were no republics in his day.
(c) He wrote about republics in another work.
(d) He thought dominions were much harder to keep.

2. Who does Machiavelli put forward as an example of a King who made all the mistakes in ruling a new territory?
(a) Archduke Ferdinand of Austria.
(b) Duke Lodovico.
(c) Louis XII of France.
(d) Charles I of Spain.

3. What role does morality play in keeping a dominion safe according to Machiavelli?
(a) None whatsoever.
(b) Everything. The Prince must be ruled by God.
(c) Only a little. People barely notice such things.
(d) It is only necessary for hereditary Princedoms.

4. What was Cesare Borgia's greatest mistake according to Machiavelli?
(a) Failure to get medical attention soon enough.
(b) Helping the Spanish cardinals elect a Spanish Pope.
(c) Distancing himself from the French court.
(d) Allowing the election of Pope Julius II.

5. How does Machiavelli say that those who help a prince obtain a new princedom may turn against him?
(a) By becoming jealous of his new power.
(b) By deciding that they do not need the prince.
(c) By going elsewhere to fight new battles.
(d) By not receiving what was promised to them.

Short Answer Questions

1. What example does Machiavelli give of a prince who regained power after the opposition of the Venetians and Pope Julius?

2. Why does Machiavelli not discuss democracies?

3. In the event that the prince cannot afford a large army, what should he do?

4. What were the results of Sparta setting up oligarchies in Athens and Thebes after they conquered them?

5. What is the advantage of the sole prince as ruler?

Short Essay Questions

1. Define the problems of a State that is ruled by a king and the nobility.

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

3. What are the two types of princedoms as identified by Machiavelli?

4. What advantage does the hereditary prince have in maintaining his dominion?

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

6. How does Machiavelli say that hereditary States are the easier ones to control?

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

8. Explain how, according to Machiavelli, Alexander the Great was able to establish a government in Persia that lasted long after his untimely death.

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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