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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Machiavelli believe to be important to extending the life of what he calls "mixed bodies" (Republics and Sects)?
(a) Providing the means from the state to keep them secure.
(b) Staying in a continual state of war.
(c) Returning to their original principles.
(d) Keeping turmoil alive between common masses.

2. What does Machiavelli identify as the three divisions of armies of his day?
(a) Vanguard, Battle Corps, and Rearguard.
(b) Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery.
(c) Cavalry, Vanguard, and Artillery.
(d) Battle Corps, Navy, and Ordinance.

3. In Book 3, Section 1, what does Machiavelli declare to be, "...a most true thing...."
(a) That, "...all the things of the world have to have an ending to their existence."
(b) That, "...regardless, all who rise suddenly will fall with the same rapidity."
(c) That, "...all will face death and taxes."
(d) That, "...the only thing we learn from history is we do not learn from history."

4. What does Machiavelli claim to be the cause of Princes losing inherited power?
(a) Indifference to their Principality.
(b) Incompetence.
(c) Their rejection of laws and ancient institutions.
(d) Arrogance.

5. What does Machiavelli believe is the only consideration to be made when the defense of a country is at stake?
(a) That the life of the country is safe and its liberty is maintained.
(b) To hide inside the City or escape to the open field.
(c) To avoid combat or strike immediately.
(d) To live free or die.

6. What does Machiavelli recommend as the three ways to restore a divided city?
(a) Build a wall between the combatants, place soldiers between their neighborhoods, and prevent them from passing among each other.
(b) Kill the leaders of tumults, remove them from the city, or have them make peace.
(c) Kill the leaders, conscript the men to the military, take the women into slavery.
(d) Dividing the city's wealth among the factions, sending them to colonies, conscripting them to the military.

7. What did Roman historian Livius call Necessity?
(a) THE MOTHER OF INVENTION.
(b) THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF FREEDOM.
(c) THE LAST AND BEST WEAPON.
(d) NECESSITY IS BUT AN INTERPRETATION.

8. Who does Machiavelli consider to have an advantage in battle?
(a) The attacker.
(b) The Artillery.
(c) The largest army.
(d) The Cavalry.

9. Why would corrupt Republics accept common deceptions?
(a) Because they keep anyone from knowing any truth.
(b) Because they hide the corruption of the political class.
(c) Because they are put forward by men who want favors more readily for themselves than for the public.
(d) Because they help to confuse Citizens to the corruption.

10. What was the difference between the tactics of the two Roman Consuls Machiavelli used as an example?
(a) Decius attacked with all his strength, Fabius used slow assault.
(b) Claudius used deception and Brutus used conspiracy.
(c) Fabius used artillery and Junius used cavlary.
(d) Decius used surprise and Octavius used infantry.

11. According to Machiavelli, if men have prospered greatly by one procedure, what is not possible?
(a) To persuade them they can do well with other procedures.
(b) To undo their success.
(c) To remove them from their position.
(d) To undo their honor.

12. What is the proverb that Machiavelli reports the Samnites used on the Tuscans to encourage them to make war on the Roman Empire?
(a) "What would you give to breath the air of free men."
(b) "Peace (with Rome) was more of a burden to slaves than war is to free men."
(c) "Do you want to die as free men or live as slaves?"
(d) "Will you not trade you security for freedom."

13. What institution does Machiavelli cite in Chapter 46 as being responsible for producing men that are either "harsh or effeminate."
(a) The Plebs.
(b) The Senate.
(c) The Magistrates.
(d) The family.

14. What does Machiavelli advise Princes in observing promises made under force?
(a) To observe them without reservation as they put themselves in the situation due to incompenence.
(b) That they are not to be observed when the force is removed.
(c) To observe them until which time they can fight for freedom.
(d) To deceive the party who forces the promise until they can make alliances that will defeat him.

15. How does the institution that makes men "harsh or effeminate" influence them, according to Machiavelli?
(a) Because, "The Senate either deliberates or declares war."
(b) Because, "The Plebs either prepare for virtus of war or fall to corruption."
(c) Because, "The magistrates either declare punishments or delays judgment."
(d) Because, "It is very important that a young man of tender years begins to hear the good and bad of a thing."

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli claim causes men to conspire against their target?

2. Why does Machiavelli consider the public a better judge than Princes for who should occupy public offices.

3. What often happens to Captains who see a tactical error committed by their enemies?

4. What are the two causes that will bring a corrupted Republic to take the important step of extending its life?

5. What are the two things that give an army confidence according to Machiavelli?

(see the answer keys)

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