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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 is the branch of government that Machiavelli recognizes as that which most prevents or causes corruption to come over a city?
(a) The judicial (magistrates) branch.
(b) The plebeian branch.
(c) The legislative branch.
(d) The princes.

2. What historical records did Machiavelli use to support his point for keeping two important items out of peril?
(a) Historical records of Rome and France.
(b) Historical records of military tactics.
(c) Historical records of Hannibal and England.
(d) Historical records of Tullus and Metius.

3. What did Machiavelli establish as the cycle of governing forms?
(a) Anarchy to democracy to oligarchy to monarchy to anarchy.
(b) Monarchy (principality) to aristocracy to oligarchy to democracy to monarchy.
(c) Democracy to republic go aristocracy to oligarchy to anarchy to democracy.
(d) Aristocracy to republic to oligarchy to monarchy to aristocracy.

4. What does Machiavelli consider an important tool in maintaining the order of a Republic?
(a) Proper administration of rewards and punishments.
(b) Fear of harsh administrators.
(c) Wars that keep the citizenry focused on supporting the City.
(d) The ability to control the perceptions of citizens.

5. What were the reasons that Machiavelli cited for the Roman Senate choosing to pay a public stipend to fighting men (soldiers)?
(a) Because without the stipend, wars could not be made for any length of time, neither could Rome besiege towns nor lead armies to a distance.
(b) To increase the number of soldiers in the army.
(c) To hide the increased taxes that were used to build houses for Nobles.
(d) To keep the citizens in poverty so they would support wars.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the two means that Machiavelli identifies as how laws are developed in cities at the beginning of Section 2, Book One.

2. What does Machiavelli identify as the easiest way to "...ruin a Republic where the People have authority...."

3. Of what should Princes be most ashamed in Machiavelli's view?

4. What is the main point Machiavelli investigates as he prepares to discuss the affects of strong Princes and weak Princes?

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

(see the answer key)

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