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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Machiavelli establish as the relationship between gold and good soldiers?
(a) Gold is not sufficient to find good soldiers, but good soldiers are indeed sufficient to find gold.
(b) Gold attracts good soldiers.
(c) Gold will cause good soldiers to go bad.
(d) The promise of gold will make soldiers weaker.

2. What did Machiavelli cite as the method that Rome used to maintain its freedom?
(a) It made frequent use of elections to allow the citizens to influence government.
(b) It made public displays of punishments for lawbreakers.
(c) It continued to make new laws and new institutions to confront corruption.
(d) It continually sent soldiers to expand its empire.

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

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

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

6. What were the "demonstrations made to the benefit" of Plebes that Machiavelli reported were taken by Roman Nobility in Book 1, Section 52?
(a) A reduction of taxes and the initiation of public works jobs for which Plebes would have the first opportunity for hiring.
(b) Allowing Plebes to contend for four Tribune positions and paying wages to soldiers.
(c) A regular schedule of holidays throughout the year that gave Plebes an opportunity to rest.
(d) Offerings to Plebes of land in newly captured territories.

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

8. 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 bureaucratic expertise to be an important virtue for Princes.
(b) The he considers moral integrity to be the primary virtue for Princes.
(c) That he considers the most weak Princes to practice ambivalence to virtue.
(d) That he believes being ferocious and warlike is an indispensible virtue for a Prince.

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

10. 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 that the Prince alone can profit from the acquisition.
(c) So the conquered territories cannot unite with his existing Citizens to overthrow him.
(d) So his City is not affected by immigration.

11. What does Machiavelli predict will come to Republics that do not provide for dictatorships or powerful authorities in times of urgent perils?
(a) The trust leaders show in the people will inspire them to overcome the peril.
(b) They will always be ruined in grave incidents.
(c) A Republican government will always move in the benefit of everyone dependent on them.
(d) The gathering of officials will paralyze the Republic in debate.

12. What support did Machiavelli use for his view of what he considers to be the worst example provided by leaders?
(a) The lawlessness that overtook Carthage as its Princes suspended harsh sentences for crimes against the State.
(b) Tribunes who called the army from foreign provinces and decommissioned its Captains.
(c) A recent denial of appeal by Girolamo Savonarola to five citizens sentenced to death after Savonarola wrote the law allowing appeals.
(d) A series of Caesars who named friends to be Captains.

13. 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) The willingness of the Plebes to go to war for the glory of Rome.
(c) The Magistrates decision to delay battle against the Samnites.
(d) 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.

14. 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) They raised taxes on Plebes who used the land awarded to them by the Agrarian Laws.
(c) The Nobles took political control over the Senate and changed the laws to allow Nobles to control all the land of the Empire.
(d) Rome would send out armies to colonize lands that were then distributed to Nobles.

15. 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 finding methods to maintain poverty throughout the general masses.
(c) By removing ambitious and unquiet spirits that makes men want to move up in rank.
(d) By uniting the whole public behind wars and efforts to grow the Empire.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Machiavelli recommend a Republic deal with enemies that spring up within an empire?

2. How did Machiavelli begin the preface to "The Discourses"?

3. What does Machiavelli believe inspired the expansion of the Roman Empire?

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

5. What are three reasons that Machiavelli gives for cities becoming unhappy?

(see the answer keys)

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