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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 did Machiavelli suggest is the advantage of settling in areas that were "sterile" (barren)?
(a) Residents of sterile areas become more creative and develop technologies that can be sold to more fertile areas.
(b) Barren areas stand at crossroads between fertile areas so they can control trade between prosperous cities.
(c) The isolation from more fertile areas allow for greater freedom.
(d) The poverty of resources would require those living there to have less cause for discord.

2. What does Machiavelli recommend to a City that is unable to defend itself, but wants to be protected from anyone who would attack it?
(a) To give itself freely to whomever would defend the city.
(b) Train its citizens to form a strong army.
(c) Hire mercenaries.
(d) Make alliances with powerful Cities.

3. From what did Machiavelli develop the information that he wrote into "The Discourses"?
(a) From research that he did in the many libraries throughout the former Roman Empire.
(b) From interviews with political thinkers of the day.
(c) From his world travels to study governments in other cultures.
(d) From long experience and continuous study of worldly affairs.

4. What, according to Machiavelli in Book , 1 Section 38, is the fate of irresolute Republics?
(a) They face invasion, destruction and anhilation.
(b) They have no alternative but to join alliances with powerful Republics that will take control of them.
(c) They will eventually fade away and reemerge as a tyranny.
(d) They cannot settle conflicts except with force because their weakness prevents them from resolving doubts over issues.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What historical records did Machiavelli use to support his point for keeping two important items out of peril?

3. What were the "demonstrations made to the benefit" of Plebes that Machiavelli reported were taken by Roman Nobility in Book 1, Section 52?

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

5. According to Machiavelli, what caused the Roman Republic to form?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Machiavelli recommend to a Prince about reform of a city or a province that he has taken?

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

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

6. How does Machiavelli explain that a City grows either through love or through force?

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

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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