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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Machiavelli examine in Chapter 1 of Book 2?
(a) How to develop fortune and virtue.
(b) How virtue can destroy fortune.
(c) Why fortune is more important that virtue.
(d) Whether the Roman Empire was built upon fortune or virtue.

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

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

4. What were the reasons that Machiavelli cited for the Roman Senate choosing to pay a public stipend to fighting men (soldiers)?
(a) To keep the citizens in poverty so they would support wars.
(b) To increase the number of soldiers in the army.
(c) Because without the stipend, wars could not be made for any length of time, neither could Rome besiege towns nor lead armies to a distance.
(d) To hide the increased taxes that were used to build houses for Nobles.

5. According to Machiavelli, what caused so much hard work for Rome as it expanded its Empire to distant provinces?
(a) The demands on farmers to provide the food for soldiers on long trips.
(b) The cost of sending the military to distant provinces.
(c) The love of people of other lands for liberty.
(d) The damage to families who sent their working sons to war.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Roman soldiers provide for themselves before the Senate decided to pay them?

2. Through what means does Machiavelli suggest that a City can achieve what he considers greatness?

3. Why does Machiavelli recommend that those who want to reform a city should retain the appearance of the institutions they want to reform?

4. Based upon Machiavelli's details, for whose benefit were the "demonstrations made to the benefit" of Plebes devoted?

5. What does Machiavelli believe will come of agreements made by force?

Short Essay Questions

1. In the title of Book 1, Section 8, what does Machiavelli mean with the phrase, "...so much so calumnies are pernicious...?"

2. What acts by governing officials does Machiavelli consider "pernicious" or damaging to the authority of the government?

3. What does Machiavelli recommend to be done if one wants to establish a Republic where it does not exist?

4. What are the three types of state that Machiavelli detailed and by what name are they known today?

5. Why were the Plebe candidates not suited for the open positions of the Tribunes?

6. Why does Machiavelli consider a Citizen rising to take authority through irregular means (popular uprising) harmful in a Republic?

7. From what did Niccolo Machiavelli make the present that he sent to Zanobi Buondelmonti and Cosimo Rucellai?

8. What kind of Prince does Machiavelli consider to be Excellent?

9. Why does Machiavelli report that the Roman Senate decided to pay a public stipend to the soldiers in the army?

10. Why did Machiavelli consider the naming of a Caesar (dictator) over Rome was beneficial to the Empire?

(see the answer keys)

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