View a FREE sample

This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book Two, The Growth of Rome's Empire, Preface, Methods of Expansion, Colonization and War: Its Causes and Cost, Diplomacy and War.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli suggest that a Prince keep his conquered territories disunited from the City over which he has his power?
(a) So his City is not affected by immigration.
(b) So the conquered territories cannot unite with his existing Citizens to overthrow him.
(c) So that the Prince alone can profit from the acquisition.
(d) So the merchants can benefit from the trade between the City and the conquered territory.

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

3. What are the three ways a Republic can expand that Machiavelli recognized?
(a) By making trade alliances with wealthy provinces, by joining in war with weak Republics, and by making alliances with powerful tyrannies.
(b) By conquering distant provinces, by supporting other provinces to conquer enemies, and to make allies with strong Republics.
(c) By joining in league with other Republics, make other Republics associates, and to make other Republics subjects immediately.
(d) By sending Nobles out to establish colonies, by sending armies out to conquer foreign provinces, and making other provinces associates.

4. What does Machiavelli announce as the purpose of Book Two of "The Discourses" in the preface?
(a) How to secure freedom for an Empire by keeping the military active.
(b) What Roman people did to aggrandize the Empire.
(c) How to use truth to persuade Citizens to support the power of the Prince.
(d) How to secure power by expanding it.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Machiavelli, what was one negative consequence of the Roman Senate's decision to pay soldiers out of public money?

2. According to Machiavelli, what is the first thing that Citizens seek when starting on the path of chasing their ambitions?

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

4. How does Machiavelli suggest that Princes and other leaders deal with acts that offend their citizens?

5. How does Machiavelli expect a city can keep its freedom after a weak Prince follows an excellent Prince?

(see the answer key)

This section contains 646 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample