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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 kinds of men are frowned upon in corrupt Republics?
(a) Vocal men.
(b) Common men.
(c) Scribes.
(d) Excellent men.

2. What does Machiavelli advise Princes in observing promises made under force?
(a) To deceive the party who forces the promise until they can make alliances that will defeat him.
(b) To observe them without reservation as they put themselves in the situation due to incompenence.
(c) That they are not to be observed when the force is removed.
(d) To observe them until which time they can fight for freedom.

3. How many commanders does Machiavelli advise over an army?
(a) One for battle and one for negotiation.
(b) One for each division.
(c) A tribunal.
(d) One.

4. What is the proverb that Machiavelli reports the Samnites used on the Tuscans to encourage them to make war on the Roman Empire?
(a) "Do you want to die as free men or live as slaves?"
(b) "Peace (with Rome) was more of a burden to slaves than war is to free men."
(c) "What would you give to breath the air of free men."
(d) "Will you not trade you security for freedom."

5. What does Machiavelli believe comes to a good army without a good Captain?
(a) It becomes insolent and dangerous.
(b) It breaks apart and goes home.
(c) It regroups and promotes its most virtuous member.
(d) It sells itself to the highest bidder.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Machiavelli believe is the only consideration to be made when the defense of a country is at stake?

2. What type of person does Machiavelli advise against promoting to important positions in a Republic?

3. Why does Machiavelli claim that Princes should not complain of faults of People under their authority?

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

5. Of what is Machiavelli critical regarding the military tactics of his day?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli consider sustaining an initial thrust of an enemy to be an effective strategy for winning a battle?

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

3. Why does Machiavelli warn Princes from using auxiliary soldiers from another Prince?

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

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

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

7. Why does Machiavelli consider negotiating peace treaties with insurrectionists to be the most harmful method of ending conflicts in a City?

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

9. What are some of methods that Machiavelli identifies that Citizens use to earn private honors?

10. What does Machiavelli write of in Book Three, Section 14 when he reviews, "...new inventions and new voices...," and why does he recommend these to be used in the heat of battle?

(see the answer keys)

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