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

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 plebeian branch.
(b) The princes.
(c) The legislative branch.
(d) The judicial (magistrates) branch.

2. Who were the Decemvirs?
(a) Officials who took their power in the last month of the year.
(b) Ten citizens created by the Roman people to make the laws in Rome.
(c) Courtiers who gathered around the Caesars to protect them during times of festivals.
(d) The 12 Nobles who the Caesars appointed to help him manage the Empire.

3. Why does Machiavelli suggest wars should be quick with limited damage to the conquered City?
(a) To reduce the cost to the conquering Prince and preserve the resources of the conquered city as booty for the conquering forces.
(b) So armies can be brought home to participate in a productive economy.
(c) So Citizens are not burdened by the demands of the war.
(d) So armies can be readied for the next war.

4. What are the five types of government identified by Machiavelli?
(a) Democracy, anarchy, monarchy, constitutional, and institutional.
(b) Monarchy, aristocracy, democracy, oligarchy, and anarchy.
(c) Republic, fascistic, democracy, principality, and oligarchy.
(d) Tyranny, constitutional, military oligarchy, principality, and democracy.

5. Based upon Machiavelli's details, for whose benefit were the "demonstrations made to the benefit" of Plebes devoted?
(a) Magistrates who used public works as a means of keeping political support from the general masses.
(b) The benefit of Nobles and people in power.
(c) The Plebes who had very busy working lives.
(d) The benefit of the Kings who needed occupiers throughout the Empire.

6. In Book 1, Section 37, what does Machiavelli claim to be the foundation of well-ordered Republics?
(a) They keep the public and the Citizens poor.
(b) They keep the public [State] rich and its Citizens poor.
(c) They keep the Citizens rich and the public poor.
(d) They keep the public and the Citizens rich.

7. What does Machiavelli identify as the easiest way to "...ruin a Republic where the People have authority...."
(a) Involve them in a brave enterprise.
(b) For Nobles to cultivate rivalries between partisans among the People.
(c) For the Nobles to promote corrupted Citizens in elections.
(d) Cause them to distribute wealth.

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

9. 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.

10. What was an example from Roman history that Machiavelli used to suggest the Plebes possesses greater wisdom than Nobles?
(a) The willingness of the Plebes to go to war for the glory of Rome.
(b) A time when the Plebes could have chosen all Plebes for four Tribunes, chose, instead, four Nobles because they recognized the weaknesses of Plebes filling those offices.
(c) The failed attempt of the Nobles to put Plebes of ill-repute to selection for Tribunes.
(d) The Magistrates decision to delay battle against the Samnites.

11. What does Machiavelli believe will come of agreements made by force?
(a) The will lead to the capture of those who are under the power.
(b) They will not last.
(c) They aid to enhance the power of the Prince.
(d) They will lead to the overthrow of he who has the power to enforce them.

12. What is Machiavelli's explanation for initiating his recommended approach with enemies against an empire?
(a) Because those who try to crush it, make its force greater, and make that evil which is suspected from it to be accelerated.
(b) Because taking out the head of a movement will lead to the death of the body.
(c) Because the public humiliation of the enemy will expose supporters to the Citizens who will then act to neutralize the conspiracy.
(d) Because putting the leaders of enemies in positions of public responsibility will require them to make decisions that will be rejected by conspiracies.

13. 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) "The man of power should present himself with cold ruthlessness and avoid any show of sentimentality."
(d) "Beauty is power; a smile is its sword."

14. According to Machiavelli, what type of people seek what office to cause a city to become corrupt?
(a) The working poor seek to become plebes.
(b) Weak and dependent people seek to become senators.
(c) The rich and powerful, rather than the virtuous, seek to become judges (magistrates).
(d) Generals seek to become senators.

15. What does Machiavelli claim new sects (religions) do as they rise to prominence?
(a) Influence the culture to defy the Prince.
(b) Influence Citizens to be obedient to the Prince.
(c) Cause Citizens to avoid fighting in wars.
(d) Destroy all the signs, including language, of the old sects they come to dominate.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did Machiavelli report led gatherings of people to make laws?

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

3. What did Machiavelli identify as the cause of conspiracy against a hereditary Princes?

4. According to Machiavelli, what caused so much hard work for Rome as it expanded its Empire to distant provinces?

5. What does Machiavelli recommend to a City that is unable to defend itself, but wants to be protected from anyone who would attack it?

(see the answer keys)

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