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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. According to Machiavelli, what was one negative consequence of the Roman Senate's decision to pay soldiers out of public money?
(a) Soldiers began expecting regular pay raises.
(b) So many Citizens joined the military that there were not enough to perform necessary jobs throughout the Republic.
(c) It raised taxes on Nobles.
(d) Rome was required to produce more currency to meet the payments, so the currency was devalued.

2. What does Machiavelli identify as tactics the Citizen seeking not to be harmed uses?
(a) Obscurity.
(b) Acquiring friendships either through honest means or by supplying money to protect themselves from the powerful (bribes).
(c) The financial ability to buy protection.
(d) Friendships with Citizens who are bold enough to fight.

3. 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.

4. Why does Machiavelli claim that the rule of the Caesars was preferable to the regime of the Decemvirs?
(a) Because Machiavelli believed that the Decemvirs were too lax on punishments for violators of the law.
(b) Because, according to Machiavelli, the Decemvirs did not pursue expansion of the Empire.
(c) Because the Caesars ended Rome's state of continual war.
(d) Because under the Caesar, there remained the Tribunes, Consuls, and the Senate, to whom the Caesar remained responsible.

5. What are reasons Machiavelli cited for a group of people leaving their native country to seek a new home?
(a) Family strife and lack of work.
(b) Racial conflict and economic injustice.
(c) Overcrowding and social unrest.
(d) Pestilence, famine or war.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Machiavelli suggest that a man with power should present himself to a city in turmoil?

2. In Book 1, Section 37, what does Machiavelli claim to be the foundation of well-ordered Republics?

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

4. What did Machiavelli identify as the cause of conspiracy against a hereditary Princes?

5. What does Machiavelli suggest as the intention to make war?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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