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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 Princes and other leaders deal with acts that offend their citizens?
(a) Make the offense quickly then act to reassure them and give them cause to quiet and firm their spirits.
(b) Distract the Citizens by making war against a nearby province.
(c) Increase their power and penalties for crimes and scare the Citizens into submission and acceptance.
(d) Increase taxes on the wealthy and use the money in ways that benefit the general masses.

2. In Book 1, Section 46, Machiavelli credits the ruin of Republics on citizens who jump from one ambition to another. What was the phrase that Sallust put in the mouth of Caesar that explains how such ambitions begin?
(a) "I see the better things, and approve; I follow the worse."
(b) "Vini. Vidi. Vici."
(c) "Beware the Ides of March."
(d) "All evil examples have their origins in good beginnings."

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

4. What was the inspiration for Machiavelli's "The Discourses"?
(a) Livy's account of the history of Rome written around 25 B.C.
(b) Machiavelli's desire to guide politicians to serve the public needs.
(c) Machiavelli's interest in forms of government.
(d) Machiavelli's fascination for power.

5. According to Machiavelli, what type of people seek what office to cause a city to become corrupt?
(a) Generals seek to become senators.
(b) The rich and powerful, rather than the virtuous, seek to become judges (magistrates).
(c) The working poor seek to become plebes.
(d) Weak and dependent people seek to become senators.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli suggest that those who have received great rewards should not be spared punishments for acting badly?

2. What are the two means that Machiavelli identifies as how laws are developed in cities at the beginning of Section 2, Book One.

3. What does Machiavelli consider to be the means of someone rising from the bottom to gain a great fortune?

4. How did Machiavelli begin the preface to "The Discourses"?

5. What does Machiavelli claim causes ingratitude from a conquered citizenry?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. What does Machiavelli mean when he uses the term "virtu" for a Prince?

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

7. Why does Machiavelli advise that a Prince "temporize" a perceived evil in his State?

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

9. Why does Machiavelli believe that people who break away from the rule of a Prince have difficulty keeping their freedom?

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

(see the answer keys)

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