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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. What did Machiavelli suggest is the advantage of settling in areas that were "sterile" (barren)?
(a) Residents of sterile areas become more creative and develop technologies that can be sold to more fertile areas.
(b) The isolation from more fertile areas allow for greater freedom.
(c) The poverty of resources would require those living there to have less cause for discord.
(d) Barren areas stand at crossroads between fertile areas so they can control trade between prosperous cities.

2. In defending his view that Roman Dictators served their city well, what phrase does Machiavelli use to explain how the Caesars absorbed their power?
(a) "Power corrupts. Knowledge is power. Study hard. Be evil."
(b) "It is power that easily acquires a name, not a name power."
(c) "He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still."
(d) "Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just."

3. According to Machiavelli, how did the Agrarian Laws violate the foundation of well-ordered Republics?
(a) Agrarian laws allowed land owners to use their land to help the poor become wealthy.
(b) Agrarian laws allowed the government to decide what was to be grown on land in spite of the expertise of the land owner.
(c) Agrarian laws allowed Nobles to take land from Plebes with the intent to increase the land's productivity.
(d) Agrarian laws distributed land from those who had more than the law allowed among plebes rather than among Nobles with which they could enrich themselves.

4. What did Machiavelli cite as the method that Rome used to maintain its freedom?
(a) It continued to make new laws and new institutions to confront corruption.
(b) It continually sent soldiers to expand its empire.
(c) It made frequent use of elections to allow the citizens to influence government.
(d) It made public displays of punishments for lawbreakers.

5. Why does Machiavelli claim these forms of government developed?
(a) To provide defense for people who gathered together.
(b) So those with influence could hold it without violence.
(c) To prevent people with the ability to use force from destroying each other.
(d) So those with wealth could protect themselves from those who had none.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What are two reasons Machiavelli gives for foreign forces building a city?

3. What is an obvious counterpoint to Machiavelli's assertion to the benefits of the power of the Caesars to the Roman Empire?

4. What support did Machiavelli use for his view of what he considers to be the worst example provided by leaders?

5. What should the reader consider as evil when Machiavelli is advising Princes to "recognize evils".

(see the answer key)

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