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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. 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.

3. What did Machiavelli suggest is the advantage of settling in areas that were "sterile" (barren)?
(a) Residents of sterile areas become more creative and develop technologies that can be sold to more fertile areas.
(b) The poverty of resources would require those living there to have less cause for discord.
(c) Barren areas stand at crossroads between fertile areas so they can control trade between prosperous cities.
(d) The isolation from more fertile areas allow for greater freedom.

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

5. Considering Machiavelli's praise for the example of how Nobles manipulated the opportunity for Plebes to select their peers for positions of influence, who is the clear intended audience of "The Discourses"?
(a) Nobles seeking methods to keep their power.
(b) Plebes who need to know the tactics of Nobles to control them.
(c) Future candidates for election who need to know how to win.
(d) Those who are concerned with how the Republic is being manipulated by people with power.

6. According to Machiavelli in Section 1 of Book One, who are the two types of people who build cities?
(a) Princes and generals.
(b) Farmers and merchants.
(c) Craftsmen and politicians.
(d) Men born in their location or foreigners.

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

8. How does Machiavelli suggest that a man with power should present himself to a city in turmoil?
(a) "The man of power should present himself with cold ruthlessness and avoid any show of sentimentality."
(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) "Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness."

9. What does Machiavelli consider to be the means of someone rising from the bottom to gain a great fortune?
(a) Diligence and humility.
(b) Deceit and self preservation.
(c) Hard work and creativity.
(d) Force and fraud.

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

11. 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 irrelevant to the reason for making judgments.
(b) Truth is not as important as the people you make relationships with.
(c) Machiavelli considers truth to be relative.
(d) You can't make sound judgments without having a firm grasp on the truth.

12. How did Machiavelli report that the Nobles controlled the process of Plebes having the opportunity to choose Plebes for four Tribunes?
(a) They offered choices between highly reputable Nobles and ignoble Plebes who asked to be considered for the positions.
(b) They were in charge of counting the votes.
(c) They began a war and had many Plebes sent to a foreign province.
(d) They controlled the means of Plebes to provide for themselves.

13. What is the main point Machiavelli investigates as he prepares to discuss the affects of strong Princes and weak Princes?
(a) Whether a free state can exist with virtuous Princes.
(b) Whether a free state (government) can exist in a city that is corrupted.
(c) How strict power eliminates corruption and maintains freedom.
(d) Whether a free state can exist without laws.

14. What does Machiavelli announce as the purpose of Book Two of "The Discourses" in the preface?
(a) What Roman people did to aggrandize the Empire.
(b) How to secure freedom for an Empire by keeping the military active.
(c) How to secure power by expanding it.
(d) How to use truth to persuade Citizens to support the power of the Prince.

15. What does Machiavelli believe inspired the expansion of the Roman Empire?
(a) Aggression and murder.
(b) Keeping Citizens in poverty.
(c) Virtue.
(d) Harsh Captains guiding the military.

Short Answer Questions

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

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

3. What does Machiavelli claim new sects (religions) do as they rise to prominence?

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

5. What is Machiavelli's explanation for initiating his recommended approach with enemies against an empire?

(see the answer keys)

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