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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 the one thing a man cannot fight against according to Machiavelli?
(a) Religion.
(b) Man's own nature.
(c) The weather.
(d) Overwhelming bad fortune.

2. How does Machiavelli say a prince can make himself feared without making himself hated?
(a) By leaving people's property alone.
(b) By taking the women away.
(c) By giving pardons to criminals.
(d) By hanging only unpopular criminals.

3. What is it that a prince cannot control among his subjects?
(a) Their fear.
(b) Their taxation.
(c) Their cooperation.
(d) Their love.

4. What example does Machiavelli give of a ruler in whom his people have no confidence?
(a) King Louis of France.
(b) King Ferdinand of Spain.
(c) Emperor Maximillian.
(d) Pope Alexander VI.

5. Who does Machiavelli assign blame to when a prince loses his dominion?
(a) The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
(b) The fickleness of the people.
(c) The nobility.
(d) The prince himself.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli argue against a prince being overly generous?

2. Who can successfully gain the reputation for generosity but not ruin himself in the process?

3. Machiavelli's political thought is influenced greatly by the ideas of what?

4. Which statement is true according to Machiavelli?

5. Why should a prince keep down factions in his princedom?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Machiavelli's advice regarding unasked for counsel?

2. Why does Machiavelli maintain that it is not possible for a prince to embody only good qualities?

3. How does Machiavelli say a prince should be like a fox and a lion?

4. How does Machiavelli disagree with those who believe everything is controlled by God and Fortune.

5. Give examples of leaders who recognized the need for their own loyal troops.

6. When there is peace outside the principality, what does Machiavelli caution against?

7. What warnings does Machiavelli give regarding the generosity of a prince.

8. Explain Machiavelli's famous statement that is is better to be feared than loved.

9. What is Machiavelli's position on neutrality? Explain.

10. Why does Machiavelli caution against disarming the people of a conquered principality?

(see the answer keys)

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