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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. Ferdinand of Spain became strong by waging war. What did he use to do that and get the people behind him?
(a) The divine right of kings.
(b) The name of religion.
(c) The prosperity from military spending.
(d) He only chose popular wars.

2. What did Heiro of Syracuse do when he realized his mercenary troops were worthless?
(a) He refused to pay them.
(b) He had them cut to pieces.
(c) He hired more mercenaries.
(d) He put them on the front lines to be killed.

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

4. Why does Machiavelli insist that a prince need not always be honest?
(a) Because men are not basically good by nature.
(b) Because he needs to change the circumstances.
(c) Because an honest prince cannot be cruel at the same time.
(d) Because he cannot remember everything he said in the past.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli insist that a prince recalled by the people after being conquered offers him no security?

2. What does Machiavelli say the new prince can least afford?

3. What historical example does Machiavelli give to show how a military should be organized?

4. What does Machiavelli suggest will be the reaction of the people if he is greedy and seizes property and women?

5. Why should a prince declare himself as for or against two warring factions?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Outline Machiavelli's position of honesty in a prince.

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

4. How does Machiavelli suggest a prince can be cruel and still be respected?

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

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

7. Discuss Machiavelli's discourse on flattery.

8. Describe the two main reasons that a prince may be secure one day and lose his dominion the next.

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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