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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book Three, The Examples of Rome's Great Men, Sundry Remarks on Strategy, Tactics, New Devices and Discipline, Administrative Posts, Administrative Methods: The Rival Claims of Severity and Good Fellowship.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What did Machiavelli identify as the cause of conspiracy against a hereditary Princes?
(a) The general population became dissatisfied with the distribution of wealth.
(b) Less powerful people desired the power of the Prince.
(c) The larger population of citizens became unhappy with the the political preferences of the Princes.
(d) They degenerated from their fathers, and surpassed others in sumptuousness and lasciviousness and in every other kind of delight.

2. What does Machiavelli identify as tactics the Citizen seeking not to be harmed uses?
(a) Acquiring friendships either through honest means or by supplying money to protect themselves from the powerful (bribes).
(b) Obscurity.
(c) Friendships with Citizens who are bold enough to fight.
(d) The financial ability to buy protection.

3. According to Machiavelli, what is the first thing that Citizens seek when starting on the path of chasing their ambitions?
(a) Means to win access to public office.
(b) A cause that will incite the passions of the general masses.
(c) Not to be harmed by citizens or magistrates.
(d) The support of a wealthy Noble.

4. What was the inspiration for Machiavelli's "The Discourses"?
(a) Machiavelli's interest in forms of government.
(b) Machiavelli's desire to guide politicians to serve the public needs.
(c) Livy's account of the history of Rome written around 25 B.C.
(d) Machiavelli's fascination for power.

5. What did Machiavelli report led gatherings of people to make laws?
(a) So resources could be justly distributed.
(b) To set order to the defense of the city.
(c) To avoid evils that people committed on others.
(d) To protect economic activity that benefited the city.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli claim these forms of government developed?

2. Why does Machiavelli suggest that Republics arrive to changing with the times later than individuals?

3. Who does Machiavelli credit with protecting Rome from the ambitions of the Tribunes?

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

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

(see the answer key)

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