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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Machiavelli identify as the easiest way to "...ruin a Republic where the People have authority...."
(a) Cause them to distribute wealth.
(b) For Nobles to cultivate rivalries between partisans among the People.
(c) Involve them in a brave enterprise.
(d) For the Nobles to promote corrupted Citizens in elections.

2. 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 and Alba ruined Crete's industry.
(d) Rome grew on the ruins of Alba .

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

4. What does Machiavelli believe will come of agreements made by force?
(a) They will lead to the overthrow of he who has the power to enforce them.
(b) The will lead to the capture of those who are under the power.
(c) They will not last.
(d) They aid to enhance the power of the Prince.

5. What are the five types of government identified by Machiavelli?
(a) Tyranny, constitutional, military oligarchy, principality, and democracy.
(b) Republic, fascistic, democracy, principality, and oligarchy.
(c) Democracy, anarchy, monarchy, constitutional, and institutional.
(d) Monarchy, aristocracy, democracy, oligarchy, and anarchy.

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

7. How did Roman soldiers provide for themselves before the Senate decided to pay them?
(a) They worked as farmers.
(b) They worked as aides to Senators.
(c) They received sponsorships from Nobles.
(d) They were required to provide for their own needs.

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

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

10. How long did Sparta peacefully exist without changing its laws, according to Machiavelli?
(a) Through the reign of Lycurgus.
(b) Until its domination by Rome.
(c) 350 years.
(d) 800 years.

11. From what did Machiavelli develop the information that he wrote into "The Discourses"?
(a) From interviews with political thinkers of the day.
(b) From long experience and continuous study of worldly affairs.
(c) From research that he did in the many libraries throughout the former Roman Empire.
(d) From his world travels to study governments in other cultures.

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

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

14. What advice does Machiavelli offer in Book 1, Section 52 to those who want to pursue their ambitions?
(a) "He who is blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher must herafter fall with greatest loss."
(b) "Ambition is the last infirmity of Noble minds."
(c) "...(C)onsider the defects and perils which it [presents], and not to undertake it if it should be more dangerous than useful,...."
(d) "Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make yhou believe that you too can become great."

15. 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 Tullus and Metius.
(c) Historical records of Rome and France.
(d) Historical records of Hannibal and England.

Short Answer Questions

1. What, according to Machiavelli in Book , 1 Section 38, is the fate of irresolute Republics?

2. How does Machiavelli suggest that Princes and other leaders deal with acts that offend their citizens?

3. What is the main point Machiavelli investigates as he prepares to discuss the affects of strong Princes and weak Princes?

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

5. What does Machiavelli suggest causes corruption?

(see the answer keys)

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