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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 one of the most important reasons the Roman Empire was successful in expanding its borders?
(a) It had laws that kept the Plebes in their place.
(b) It showed skill in placing Nobles in control over colonies.
(c) It kept Citizens in poverty.
(d) The Senate gave great authority to military leaders over Cities that Rome was attacking.

2. What are the two ways that Machiavelli claims that envy can be extinguished?
(a) Through friendship and common wealth.
(b) Through war and crisis.
(c) Through conspiracy and corruption.
(d) Through life threatening disaster or through the death of rivals.

3. What, according to Machiavelli, determines whether or not a Republic falls into tyranny.
(a) The weakness of its Princes.
(b) The reputation of its Citizens.
(c) The corruption of its Nobles.
(d) The absence of its military.

4. What does Machiavelli claim to be the cause of Princes losing inherited power?
(a) Their rejection of laws and ancient institutions.
(b) Incompetence.
(c) Indifference to their Principality.
(d) Arrogance.

5. What does Machiavelli claim happens to great men in times of peace?
(a) They retire and slip into obscurity.
(b) They become tyrants.
(c) They become neglected.
(d) They become corrupted and evil.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why would corrupt Republics accept common deceptions?

2. What was the difference between the tactics of the two Roman Consuls Machiavelli used as an example?

3. What does Machiavelli claim causes disunity in a Republic?

4. What does Machiavelli predict will come of corrupted Republics if they do not take the important step of extending its life?

5. What did Livius' history of Rome identify as the three divisions of the Roman army?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli believe, "that men born in a province observe for all time almost the same natures (Book 3, Section 43)?"

2. Why does Machiavelli consider defending an army with fortifications useless with the artillery that was new to his day?

3. Why does Machiavelli recommend that any organization maintain itself by frequently renewing its founding principals?

4. What are two remedies that Machiavelli recommends in Book Three, section16 to prevent a City from becoming corrupted by periods of peace and wealth?

5. Why does Machiavelli consider saving an army from attack to be an effective method for defending a country?

6. What does Machiavelli mean when he discusses using "...deceit in the managing of a war..." and why does he consider it a glorious thing?

7. Why does Machiavelli consider impetuosity and audacity to often be successful for a Prince to take a province that belongs to another Prince?

8. What are two reasons that Machiavelli claims men have a hard time changing with the times?

9. Why does Machiavelli devote his longest section of "The Discourses" to discussing conspiracy?

10. What does Machiavelli advise those who seek to change a Republic?

(see the answer keys)

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