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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Machiavelli, what caused so much hard work for Rome as it expanded its Empire to distant provinces?
(a) The cost of sending the military to distant provinces.
(b) The love of people of other lands for liberty.
(c) The demands on farmers to provide the food for soldiers on long trips.
(d) The damage to families who sent their working sons to war.

2. What did Machiavelli identify as the cause of conspiracy against a hereditary Princes?
(a) They degenerated from their fathers, and surpassed others in sumptuousness and lasciviousness and in every other kind of delight.
(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) The general population became dissatisfied with the distribution of wealth.

3. What does Machiavelli claim causes ingratitude from a conquered citizenry?
(a) Taking the property of conquered citizens.
(b) Treating conquered citizens harshly.
(c) When the conquerors remove freedoms that the citizens knew before being conquered.
(d) Taking conquered citizens into slavery.

4. According to Machiavelli, what caused the Roman Republic to form?
(a) Political rivalries between powerful generals.
(b) Class warfare between the patricians and the plebes.
(c) Economic agreements between fertile cities.
(d) Trade agreements between cities with resources and cities with technologies.

5. What was an example from Roman history that Machiavelli used to suggest the Plebes possesses greater wisdom than Nobles?
(a) The failed attempt of the Nobles to put Plebes of ill-repute to selection for Tribunes.
(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 Magistrates decision to delay battle against the Samnites.
(d) The willingness of the Plebes to go to war for the glory of Rome.

6. What historical records did Machiavelli use to support his point for keeping two important items out of peril?
(a) Historical records of military tactics.
(b) Historical records of Hannibal and England.
(c) Historical records of Tullus and Metius.
(d) Historical records of Rome and France.

7. What does "Crescit interea Roma Albae ruinis" mean?
(a) The Roman interrogations ruined Albanian Fertile Crescent.
(b) Creative Romans will bring ruins to Alba.
(c) Rome grew on the ruins of Alba .
(d) Rome and Alba ruined Crete's industry.

8. What does Machiavelli consider to be the worst example to be provided by leaders in a Republic?
(a) For leaders to choose weak captains.
(b) For leaders to neglect the ordering of an army.
(c) For leaders to avoid harsh punishments for law breakers.
(d) For leaders to make a law and refuse to observe it.

9. According to Machiavelli, how did the Nobles of Rome attempt to correct the limit on the wealth that was placed on them by Agrarian Laws?
(a) They reduced taxes on themselves and used their increased wealth to buy back their land.
(b) The Nobles took political control over the Senate and changed the laws to allow Nobles to control all the land of the Empire.
(c) They raised taxes on Plebes who used the land awarded to them by the Agrarian Laws.
(d) Rome would send out armies to colonize lands that were then distributed to Nobles.

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

11. How does Machiavelli recommend a Republic deal with enemies that spring up within an empire?
(a) He advocates smearing them with public proclamations about the threat they pose.
(b) He advises Princes to allow his supporters to conspire to assassinate the enemies.
(c) He recommends that efforts be made to temporize (compromise) them rather than crush them.
(d) Princes should name appoint them to offices to leave their actions open to public scrutiny.

12. According to Machiavelli, what was one negative consequence of the Roman Senate's decision to pay soldiers out of public money?
(a) So many Citizens joined the military that there were not enough to perform necessary jobs throughout the Republic.
(b) Soldiers began expecting regular pay raises.
(c) It raised taxes on Nobles.
(d) Rome was required to produce more currency to meet the payments, so the currency was devalued.

13. 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 that the Prince alone can profit from the acquisition.
(c) So the merchants can benefit from the trade between the City and the conquered territory.
(d) So the conquered territories cannot unite with his existing Citizens to overthrow him.

14. How does Machiavelli suggest that Princes and other leaders deal with acts that offend their citizens?
(a) Make the offense quickly then act to reassure them and give them cause to quiet and firm their spirits.
(b) Increase their power and penalties for crimes and scare the Citizens into submission and acceptance.
(c) Increase taxes on the wealthy and use the money in ways that benefit the general masses.
(d) Distract the Citizens by making war against a nearby province.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Machiavelli's conclusion regarding how someone can establish a Republic where there is great equality?

2. According to Machiavelli in Section 1 of Book One, who are the two types of people who build cities?

3. Reviewing earlier chapters of "The Discourses", why would Machiavelli consider long wars in foreign lands important?

4. What does Machiavelli consider to be the means of someone rising from the bottom to gain a great fortune?

5. What was a rival Empire to Rome as Rome began its expansion?

(see the answer keys)

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