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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 does Machiavelli consider an important tool in maintaining the order of a Republic?
(a) Wars that keep the citizenry focused on supporting the City.
(b) Fear of harsh administrators.
(c) Proper administration of rewards and punishments.
(d) The ability to control the perceptions of citizens.

2. What does Machiavelli believe inspired the expansion of the Roman Empire?
(a) Keeping Citizens in poverty.
(b) Aggression and murder.
(c) Virtue.
(d) Harsh Captains guiding the military.

3. What does Machiavelli suggest as the intention to make war?
(a) To keep Citizens focused on refining their virtue.
(b) To prove the power of the Prince to the Citizens.
(c) To acquire and maintain the acquisition, so as to enrich themselves and not to impoverish the [conquered] country the home country.
(d) To keep Citizens attached to the power of the Prince.

4. What is the branch of government that Machiavelli recognizes as that which most prevents or causes corruption to come over a city?
(a) The plebeian branch.
(b) The judicial (magistrates) branch.
(c) The princes.
(d) The legislative branch.

5. How did Machiavelli begin the preface to "The Discourses"?
(a) With advice to two friends on how to keep their friends close and their enemies closer.
(b) As a cynical commentary to the weakness of leaders of his time.
(c) As a letter to two political thinkers from Florence.
(d) As a warning to future generations of the tenuous nature of freedom.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli believe to the nature of men that causes them to either fight from ambition or from necessity?

2. According to Machiavelli, what type of people seek what office to cause a city to become corrupt?

3. What was the inspiration for Machiavelli's "The Discourses"?

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

5. What is an obvious counterpoint to Machiavelli's assertion to the benefits of the power of the Caesars to the Roman Empire?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What kind of Prince does Machiavelli consider to be Excellent?

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

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

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

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

8. What two methods did Machiavelli identify that Roman Nobility drew honor from the Plebes?

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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