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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 Popular Demand for a Share in Government, The Management of the Populace, The Advantages of Popular Government.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Machiavelli in Section 1 of Book One, who are the two types of people who build cities?
(a) Men born in their location or foreigners.
(b) Farmers and merchants.
(c) Princes and generals.
(d) Craftsmen and politicians.

2. According to Machiavelli, what caused the Roman Republic to form?
(a) Economic agreements between fertile cities.
(b) Trade agreements between cities with resources and cities with technologies.
(c) Class warfare between the patricians and the plebes.
(d) Political rivalries between powerful generals.

3. What does Machiavelli identify as the easiest way to "...ruin a Republic where the People have authority...."
(a) Involve them in a brave enterprise.
(b) For Nobles to cultivate rivalries between partisans among the People.
(c) Cause them to distribute wealth.
(d) For the Nobles to promote corrupted Citizens in elections.

4. What do fertile areas offer to those who settle there according to Machiavelli?
(a) Resources that will sustain a growing population.
(b) The ability to affect the economy of sterile areas.
(c) The means by which a city can grow and have the ability to defend themselves.
(d) Raw materials that can be sent to sterile areas for manufacturing and refinement.

5. What is Machiavelli's conclusion regarding how someone can establish a Republic where there is great equality?
(a) By assuring that the assets that create wealth are kept within the power of the State.
(b) By finding methods to maintain poverty throughout the general masses.
(c) By uniting the whole public behind wars and efforts to grow the Empire.
(d) By removing ambitious and unquiet spirits that makes men want to move up in rank.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the five types of government identified by Machiavelli?

2. What does Machiavelli believe to the nature of men that causes them to either fight from ambition or from necessity?

3. In Book 1, Section 46, Machiavelli credits the ruin of Republics on citizens who jump from one ambition to another. What was the phrase that Sallust put in the mouth of Caesar that explains how such ambitions begin?

4. Why does Machiavelli suggest that those who have received great rewards should not be spared punishments for acting badly?

5. What was an example from Roman history that Machiavelli used to suggest the Plebes possesses greater wisdom than Nobles?

(see the answer key)

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