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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How long did Sparta peacefully exist without changing its laws, according to Machiavelli?

2. What were the reasons that Machiavelli cited for the Roman Senate choosing to pay a public stipend to fighting men (soldiers)?

3. Why does Machiavelli suggest that a Prince keep his conquered territories disunited from the City over which he has his power?

4. What does Machiavelli identify as the easiest way to "...ruin a Republic where the People have authority...."

5. What does Machiavelli announce as the purpose of Book Two of "The Discourses" in the preface?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. What are the two reasons that Machiavelli gives for his opinion that the courts (Faculty of Accusing) are the most necessary and useful authority to guard liberty in a City?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Machiavelli details the difference between Excellent and Weak princes in Book One, Section 19. What is your position on Machiavelli's differentiation? Provide the language from the section that helps define you view and use support from history or current events that supports your position.

Essay Topic 2

Niccolo Machiavelli wrote during the Italian Renaissance. Identify two notable events or phenomena from the Italian Renaissance and relate content from "The Discourses" that either might have been a response to or a motivation for them.

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Machiavelli's favored tactic of forming military divisions for the purpose of absorbing an enemy's initial thrust to the tactic that is known as "Blitzkrieg". Using the American occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan as modern examples of how both are used, as well as the history of Rome and the regime that depended on "Blitzkrieg", give your views on which tactic is more successful.

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