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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. Who were the Decemvirs?

2. What are the two means that Machiavelli identifies as how laws are developed in cities at the beginning of Section 2, Book One.

3. What, according to Machiavelli in Book , 1 Section 38, is the fate of irresolute Republics?

4. What is the main point Machiavelli investigates as he prepares to discuss the affects of strong Princes and weak Princes?

5. Of what should Princes be most ashamed in Machiavelli's view?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why were the Plebe candidates not suited for the open positions of the Tribunes?

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

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

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

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

6. What does Machiavelli recommend to be done if one wants to establish a Republic where it does not exist?

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

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

9. What does Machiavelli claim to be the practice of writers of history who, "...so obey the fortune of the winners...?"

10. What are the three types of state that Machiavelli detailed and by what name are they known today?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Book 3, Sections 14, 40, and 48, Machiavelli details the significance of using deception in battle. Compare Machiavelli's appreciation for using deception in battle to how Machiavelli recommends deception in politics to preserve the freedom of the Republic. Do you believe that Machiavelli would share you view of deceptive political practices? Why or why not? Give support for your responses with quotes from "The Discourses".

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

Would Machiavelli want to affect how customs are down in Cities and families today? For what reasons would he want do to do so? What modern tools or institutions would he use? Be detailed in your responses and use statements from "The Discourses" to support your position on Machiavelli's motivations.

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