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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is another method that Machiavelli reports leaders use to offend their citizens?
(a) Refusing to provide sufficient education for the youth.
(b) Persisting in harsh punishments for misdemeanors.
(c) Refusing to provide wealth to the general masses.
(d) Persisting in acts that are considered offensive to citizens.

2. What are the two important items that Machiavelli considers to be unwise for a Prince to put entirely into peril?
(a) His city and his chief advisers.
(b) His fortune and forces.
(c) His fortune and his reputation.
(d) His reputation and family.

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

4. What, according to Machiavelli in Book , 1 Section 38, is the fate of irresolute Republics?
(a) They have no alternative but to join alliances with powerful Republics that will take control of them.
(b) They face invasion, destruction and anhilation.
(c) They cannot settle conflicts except with force because their weakness prevents them from resolving doubts over issues.
(d) They will eventually fade away and reemerge as a tyranny.

5. What are the two means that Machiavelli identifies as how laws are developed in cities at the beginning of Section 2, Book One.
(a) By war and by peace.
(b) Through Princes or through Republics.
(c) At one time by one man and by chance at several times according to events.
(d) Through dominion of the wealthy or through bartering agreements.

6. What does Machiavelli believe to the nature of men that causes them to either fight from ambition or from necessity?
(a) They are able to desire everything but are not able to attain everything.
(b) They fight so they can have the power to deliver liberty to themselves and the City.
(c) Men that choose to fight always fight for personal benefit.
(d) Men that choose to fight always fight for the glory of the City.

7. What is the branch of government that Machiavelli recognizes as that which most prevents or causes corruption to come over a city?
(a) The legislative branch.
(b) The judicial (magistrates) branch.
(c) The princes.
(d) The plebeian branch.

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

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

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

11. Through what means does Machiavelli suggest that a City can achieve what he considers greatness?
(a) Through fear and violence.
(b) Through conquest and deceit.
(c) Through love or force.
(d) Through laws and wealth.

12. 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) How to use truth to persuade Citizens to support the power of the Prince.
(c) What Roman people did to aggrandize the Empire.
(d) How to secure power by expanding it.

13. What did Machiavelli establish as the cycle of governing forms?
(a) Monarchy (principality) to aristocracy to oligarchy to democracy to monarchy.
(b) Democracy to republic go aristocracy to oligarchy to anarchy to democracy.
(c) Aristocracy to republic to oligarchy to monarchy to aristocracy.
(d) Anarchy to democracy to oligarchy to monarchy to anarchy.

14. What is Machiavelli's conclusion regarding how someone can establish a Republic where there is great equality?
(a) By assuring that the assets that create wealth are kept within the power of the State.
(b) By uniting the whole public behind wars and efforts to grow the Empire.
(c) By finding methods to maintain poverty throughout the general masses.
(d) By removing ambitious and unquiet spirits that makes men want to move up in rank.

15. What does Machiavelli claim will make a City great?
(a) Many soldiers.
(b) Many inhabitants.
(c) Many administrators.
(d) Many industries.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What does Machiavelli consider prudence in a Prince or a King?

3. According to Machiavelli, how did the Agrarian Laws violate the foundation of well-ordered Republics?

4. 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?

5. What does Machiavelli establish as the relationship between gold and good soldiers?

(see the answer keys)

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