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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 historical records did Machiavelli use to support his point for keeping two important items out of peril?
(a) Historical records of Rome and France.
(b) Historical records of military tactics.
(c) Historical records of Tullus and Metius.
(d) Historical records of Hannibal and England.

2. What support did Machiavelli use for his view of what he considers to be the worst example provided by leaders?
(a) A recent denial of appeal by Girolamo Savonarola to five citizens sentenced to death after Savonarola wrote the law allowing appeals.
(b) The lawlessness that overtook Carthage as its Princes suspended harsh sentences for crimes against the State.
(c) A series of Caesars who named friends to be Captains.
(d) Tribunes who called the army from foreign provinces and decommissioned its Captains.

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

4. 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) Weak and dependent people seek to become senators.
(d) The working poor seek to become plebes.

5. What is another method that Machiavelli reports leaders use to offend their citizens?
(a) Refusing to provide sufficient education for the youth.
(b) Persisting in harsh punishments for misdemeanors.
(c) Persisting in acts that are considered offensive to citizens.
(d) Refusing to provide wealth to the general masses.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Why does Machiavelli suggest wars should be quick with limited damage to the conquered City?

3. What should the reader consider as evil when Machiavelli is advising Princes to "recognize evils".

4. What are the five types of government identified by Machiavelli?

5. What does Machiavelli consider to be the worst example to be provided by leaders in a Republic?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. Why did Machiavelli praise the Plebes for refusing to choose their peers for Tribunes for which the Nobility allowed Plebes candidacy?

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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