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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. Of what is Machiavelli referring when he addresses the use of deceit in managing wars?
(a) Fooling his soldiers to do things he needs.
(b) Using tactics that mislead the enemy in battle.
(c) Fooling the Senate to put him where he can win.
(d) Fooling the city he attacks to hide in a fort.

2. Why would corrupt Republics accept common deceptions?
(a) Because they are put forward by men who want favors more readily for themselves than for the public.
(b) Because they keep anyone from knowing any truth.
(c) Because they help to confuse Citizens to the corruption.
(d) Because they hide the corruption of the political class.

3. What does Machiavelli recommend that prudent men avoid?
(a) Deceit and war.
(b) Threatening and injuring anyone with words.
(c) Corruption and lies.
(d) Idleness and peace.

4. What does Machiavelli claim causes unity in a Republic?
(a) Fear and war.
(b) Idleness and peace.
(c) Wealth and industry.
(d) Fortune and leisure.

5. Of what is Machiavelli critical regarding the military tactics of his day?
(a) They do not employ Cavalry to its fullest potential.
(b) That they do not employ the tactics of ancient Rome.
(c) They avoid frontal assault.
(d) They rely on Artillery too much.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the two things that give an army confidence according to Machiavelli?

2. What example does Machiavelli use to show how a Republic can handle a malady?

3. According to Machiavelli, why did Livius believe the Roman Republic grew?

4. What does Machiavelli recommend as the three ways to restore a divided city?

5. Why does Machiavelli suggest that Republics arrive to changing with the times later than individuals?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are two points that you can take from Book Three, Section 13 to suggest that Machiavelli believes that it is better for a Prince to have a strong army badly captained rather than a bad army strongly captained?

3. When Machiavelli uses the word "esteemed" in reference to artillery and infantry, what does he mean?

4. What does Machiavelli recommend as the three methods of reuniting a City that has been divided?

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

6. What does Machiavelli believe is the consequence of insulting anyone with words?

7. Why would there be much bloodshed in the cases that a Republic moves violently from tyranny to freedom?

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

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

10. What does Machiavelli consider to be the purpose of expanding an Empire and why must a Prince be well organized in expanding it properly?

(see the answer keys)

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