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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Machiavelli's explanation for initiating his recommended approach with enemies against an empire?
(a) Because putting the leaders of enemies in positions of public responsibility will require them to make decisions that will be rejected by conspiracies.
(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 those who try to crush it, make its force greater, and make that evil which is suspected from it to be accelerated.

2. Of what should Princes be most ashamed in Machiavelli's view?
(a) Being discovered to be self-absorbed and not devoted to building the strength of their cities.
(b) Lacking their own soldiers for defense and offense.
(c) Missing opportunities to conquer other cities.
(d) Consuming his wealth in debauchery.

3. 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.

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

5. What does Machiavelli identify as an important action for Nobles to take to control the ambitions of Citizens seeking position?
(a) Find ways to bring the ambitious Citizens into Noble circles to keep them under watch and compromise their influence.
(b) Forestall their paths to attain the rank they seek.
(c) Find ways to have them sent to war.
(d) Have them kidnapped and killed.

6. 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 judicial (magistrates) branch.
(d) The legislative branch.

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 secure power by expanding it.
(d) How to use truth to persuade Citizens to support the power of the Prince.

8. What is an obvious counterpoint to Machiavelli's assertion to the benefits of the power of the Caesars to the Roman Empire?
(a) If the Nobles of Rome had not sought to possess distant provinces, there would have been no need for Caesars.
(b) Without the Caesars, provinces of the Empire would have moved to avoid hazards.
(c) Without the empire is it possible that the hazards the empire faced would not have materialized.
(d) The cost of Empire caused hazards to gather domestically as well as throughout the Empire.

9. Why does Machiavelli suggest that a Prince keep his conquered territories disunited from the City over which he has his power?
(a) So the conquered territories cannot unite with his existing Citizens to overthrow him.
(b) So that the Prince alone can profit from the acquisition.
(c) So his City is not affected by immigration.
(d) So the merchants can benefit from the trade between the City and the conquered territory.

10. 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) It raised taxes on Nobles.
(c) Soldiers began expecting regular pay raises.
(d) Rome was required to produce more currency to meet the payments, so the currency was devalued.

11. What are three reasons that Machiavelli gives for cities becoming unhappy?
(a) When taxes drain Plebes of their wages, when resources are not allocated equitably, and when Princes seek to expand their influence with wars.
(b) When leaders drain resources to fight wars, when laws become tools for Princes to become more wealthy, when there is taxation without representation.
(c) When cities face armed challenges from outside institutions, the courts do not act justly, and when leaders abuse their power.
(d) When cities are compelled to reorganize laws by themselves, when the laws diverge from their established institutions, and when the laws lead cities from the right path.

12. What can be inferred of Machiavelli's view of freedom based upon reading view of weak and strong Princes?
(a) That Machiavelli considers freedom only suited to those who can earn it or buy it.
(b) That Machiavelli uses the term freedom in reference to the actions of Princes only.
(c) That Machiavelli is focused on keeping cities free from outside influences rather than individual freedom.
(d) That Machiavelli considered civil rights and individual liberties indispensable to the strength of a city.

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 without laws.
(b) Whether a free state can exist with virtuous Princes.
(c) How strict power eliminates corruption and maintains freedom.
(d) Whether a free state (government) can exist in a city that is corrupted.

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

15. If a cliché could be given to the preface to Book Two of "The Discourses", what would it be?
(a) "Go where you belong--on the ash heap of history."
(b) "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
(c) ."The only thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history."
(d) "History is written by the winners."

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What does "Crescit interea Roma Albae ruinis" mean?

3. To what does Machiavelli compare great kingdoms and republics from history?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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