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

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

3. 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) "He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still."
(b) "It is power that easily acquires a name, not a name power."
(c) "Power corrupts. Knowledge is power. Study hard. Be evil."
(d) "Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just."

4. What does Machiavelli believe to the nature of men that causes them to either fight from ambition or from necessity?
(a) Men that choose to fight always fight for personal benefit.
(b) Men that choose to fight always fight for the glory of the City.
(c) They fight so they can have the power to deliver liberty to themselves and the City.
(d) They are able to desire everything but are not able to attain everything.

5. What are the two means that Machiavelli identifies as how laws are developed in cities at the beginning of Section 2, Book One.
(a) Through dominion of the wealthy or through bartering agreements.
(b) By war and by peace.
(c) At one time by one man and by chance at several times according to events.
(d) Through Princes or through Republics.

Short Answer Questions

1. 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?

2. What historical records did Machiavelli use to support his point for keeping two important items out of peril?

3. What does Machiavelli believe will come of agreements made by force?

4. What are the two important items that Machiavelli considers to be unwise for a Prince to put entirely into peril?

5. What does Machiavelli claim causes ingratitude from a conquered citizenry?

(see the answer key)

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