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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book One, The Development of Rome's Constitution, The Use and Abuse of Dictatorship, The Road to Ruin, Sundry Reflections Based on the Decemvirate.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What are reasons Machiavelli cited for a group of people leaving their native country to seek a new home?
(a) Overcrowding and social unrest.
(b) Pestilence, famine or war.
(c) Racial conflict and economic injustice.
(d) Family strife and lack of work.

2. How does Machiavelli suggest that Princes and other leaders deal with acts that offend their citizens?
(a) Increase taxes on the wealthy and use the money in ways that benefit the general masses.
(b) Increase their power and penalties for crimes and scare the Citizens into submission and acceptance.
(c) Distract the Citizens by making war against a nearby province.
(d) Make the offense quickly then act to reassure them and give them cause to quiet and firm their spirits.

3. How did Machiavelli begin the preface to "The Discourses"?
(a) With advice to two friends on how to keep their friends close and their enemies closer.
(b) As a warning to future generations of the tenuous nature of freedom.
(c) As a letter to two political thinkers from Florence.
(d) As a cynical commentary to the weakness of leaders of his time.

4. What does Machiavelli claim causes ingratitude from a conquered citizenry?
(a) Taking conquered citizens into slavery.
(b) Taking the property of conquered citizens.
(c) Treating conquered citizens harshly.
(d) When the conquerors remove freedoms that the citizens knew before being conquered.

5. What are two reasons Machiavelli gives for foreign forces building a city?
(a) To offer people in other lands the benefits of the existing system and to make their abilities and resources for universally beneficial.
(b) To spread the culture of the homeland and use resources for financial development.
(c) To exercise power over enemies and expand the power of an established system.
(d) To relieve existing towns of excessive inhabitants and for the defense of the country from which the forces come.

Short Answer Questions

1. To what does Machiavelli compare great kingdoms and republics from history?

2. Why does Machiavelli recommend that those who want to reform a city should retain the appearance of the institutions they want to reform?

3. What do fertile areas offer to those who settle there according to Machiavelli?

4. Why does Machiavelli consider the Roman Caesars to have been a benefit to the Roman Empire?

5. In Book 1, Section 37, what does Machiavelli claim to be the foundation of well-ordered Republics?

(see the answer key)

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