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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 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 the public humiliation of the enemy will expose supporters to the Citizens who will then act to neutralize the conspiracy.
(c) Because taking out the head of a movement will lead to the death of the body.
(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. What can be inferred of Machiavelli's idea of virtue from reading the review of the first three kings of Rome as he begins his discourse of weak Princes and excellent Princes?
(a) The he considers moral integrity to be the primary virtue for Princes.
(b) That he considers the most weak Princes to practice ambivalence to virtue.
(c) That he believes being ferocious and warlike is an indispensible virtue for a Prince.
(d) That he considers bureaucratic expertise to be an important virtue for Princes.

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

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

5. What does Machiavelli claim causes ingratitude from a conquered citizenry?
(a) Taking the property of conquered citizens.
(b) Treating conquered citizens harshly.
(c) Taking conquered citizens into slavery.
(d) When the conquerors remove freedoms that the citizens knew before being conquered.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. How does Machiavelli recommend a Republic deal with enemies that spring up within an empire?

3. What did Machiavelli establish as the cycle of governing forms?

4. What does Machiavelli recommend to a City that is unable to defend itself, but wants to be protected from anyone who would attack it?

5. How does Machiavelli predict a citizen will conduct himself if he is not punished for his misdeeds because of his reputation for doing good deeds, according to Machiavelli.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. To what is Machiavelli referring when he writes of men jumping, "...from one ambition to another?"

3. What does Machiavelli claim to be the practice of writers of history who, "...so obey the fortune of the winners...?"

4. Why does Machiavelli recommend to leaders of a Republic to keep a shadow of the institutions that are being reformed?

5. What does Machiavelli consider to be the worst example that can be committed in a Republic?

6. Why does Machiavelli disagree with Plutarch's claim that Rome acquired its Empire more by good Fortune than by Virtu?

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

8. What does Machiavelli mean when he advises that evil in a State be "temporized"?

9. Why does Machiavelli challenge Cities to punish citizens with respected reputations when they commit wrong acts?

10. What are the two reasons that Machiavelli gives for his opinion that the courts (Faculty of Accusing) are the most necessary and useful authority to guard liberty in a City?

(see the answer keys)

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