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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Machiavelli recommend to a City that is unable to defend itself, but wants to be protected from anyone who would attack it?
(a) To give itself freely to whomever would defend the city.
(b) Make alliances with powerful Cities.
(c) Hire mercenaries.
(d) Train its citizens to form a strong army.

2. What can be inferred of Machiavelli's idea of virtue from reading the review of the first three kings of Rome as he begins his discourse of weak Princes and excellent Princes?
(a) That he considers the most weak Princes to practice ambivalence to virtue.
(b) That he believes being ferocious and warlike is an indispensible virtue for a Prince.
(c) That he considers bureaucratic expertise to be an important virtue for Princes.
(d) The he considers moral integrity to be the primary virtue for Princes.

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

4. 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) The support of a wealthy Noble.
(c) Not to be harmed by citizens or magistrates.
(d) A cause that will incite the passions of the general masses.

5. What does Machiavelli suggest causes corruption?
(a) Princes who are not cruel enough with punishment.
(b) Princes who are preoccupied with seeking pleasure rather than power.
(c) Rebellious citizens who defy ruling authorities.
(d) An insufficiency of or inability to enforce laws that deal effectively with corruption.

6. How does Machiavelli suggest that a man with power should present himself to a city in turmoil?
(a) "Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness."
(b) "...(W)ith as much grace and as honorably as he can, attiring himself with the insignia of his rank which he holds in order to make himself more revered."
(c) "Beauty is power; a smile is its sword."
(d) "The man of power should present himself with cold ruthlessness and avoid any show of sentimentality."

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

8. What does Machiavelli consider prudence in a Prince or a King?
(a) In times of peace not neglecting the arrangements of war.
(b) Picking battles that are important enough to fight and small enough to win.
(c) Knowing that the enemy of his enemy is his friend.
(d) Keeping friends close and enemies closer.

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

10. Reviewing earlier chapters of "The Discourses", why would Machiavelli consider long wars in foreign lands important?
(a) Because long wars give Nobles an opportunity for Nobles to encourage Plebes to perform glorious works for the Republic.
(b) Because Machiavelli suggested long wars helped to keep Republics united.
(c) Because long wars assures that poverty will be maintained for everyone in the Republic.
(d) Because Machiavelli considers fighting wars and building empires to be signs of virtuous leaders.

11. From what did Machiavelli develop the information that he wrote into "The Discourses"?
(a) From interviews with political thinkers of the day.
(b) From long experience and continuous study of worldly affairs.
(c) From research that he did in the many libraries throughout the former Roman Empire.
(d) From his world travels to study governments in other cultures.

12. 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) Through Princes or through Republics.
(d) At one time by one man and by chance at several times according to events.

13. When Machiavelli writes, "For sometimes of necessity our judgment is the truth, as human affairs are always in motion, either ascending or descending," what is he writing about what he believes about truth?
(a) Truth is not as important as the people you make relationships with.
(b) You can't make sound judgments without having a firm grasp on the truth.
(c) Machiavelli considers truth to be relative.
(d) Truth is irrelevant to the reason for making judgments.

14. How long did Sparta peacefully exist without changing its laws, according to Machiavelli?
(a) Until its domination by Rome.
(b) 800 years.
(c) Through the reign of Lycurgus.
(d) 350 years.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli predict will come to Republics that do not provide for dictatorships or powerful authorities in times of urgent perils?

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

3. What advice does Machiavelli offer in Book 1, Section 52 to those who want to pursue their ambitions?

4. What is the branch of government that Machiavelli recognizes as that which most prevents or causes corruption to come over a city?

5. If a cliché could be given to the preface to Book Two of "The Discourses", what would it be?

(see the answer keys)

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