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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. 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) "Beauty is power; a smile is its sword."
(c) "Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness."
(d) "The man of power should present himself with cold ruthlessness and avoid any show of sentimentality."

2. What are the three ways a Republic can expand that Machiavelli recognized?
(a) By making trade alliances with wealthy provinces, by joining in war with weak Republics, and by making alliances with powerful tyrannies.
(b) By joining in league with other Republics, make other Republics associates, and to make other Republics subjects immediately.
(c) By sending Nobles out to establish colonies, by sending armies out to conquer foreign provinces, and making other provinces associates.
(d) By conquering distant provinces, by supporting other provinces to conquer enemies, and to make allies with strong Republics.

3. 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 recommends that efforts be made to temporize (compromise) them rather than crush them.
(d) He advocates smearing them with public proclamations about the threat they pose.

4. According to Machiavelli, how did the Agrarian Laws violate the foundation of well-ordered Republics?
(a) Agrarian laws allowed Nobles to take land from Plebes with the intent to increase the land's productivity.
(b) Agrarian laws distributed land from those who had more than the law allowed among plebes rather than among Nobles with which they could enrich themselves.
(c) Agrarian laws allowed the government to decide what was to be grown on land in spite of the expertise of the land owner.
(d) Agrarian laws allowed land owners to use their land to help the poor become wealthy.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Machiavelli, what was one negative consequence of the Roman Senate's decision to pay soldiers out of public money?

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

3. In defending his view that Roman Dictators served their city well, what phrase does Machiavelli use to explain how the Caesars absorbed their power?

4. How did Machiavelli report that the Nobles controlled the process of Plebes having the opportunity to choose Plebes for four Tribunes?

5. Why does Machiavelli claim these forms of government developed?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Why should a Prince measure his forces and govern by his decisions based upon them before he enters a war?

4. What two methods did Machiavelli identify that Roman Nobility drew honor from the Plebes?

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

6. What does Machiavelli claim proves the Romans' love for liberty?

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

8. What are the reasons that Machiavelli gives for people who leave their home country for another out of necessity?

9. What kind of Prince does Machiavelli consider to be weak?

10. What examples from history does Machiavelli claim offers guidance to leaders?

(see the answer keys)

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