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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. In the comparison between the tactics of Scipio and Hannibal, what does Machiavelli consider to be praiseworthy?

2. What does Machiavelli advise Princes in observing promises made under force?

3. How many commanders does Machiavelli advise over an army?

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

5. What does Machiavelli consider one of the most important reasons the Roman Empire was successful in expanding its borders?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Machiavelli recommend to Captains as an element of strategy to assure success in capturing a town?

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

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

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

6. Why does Machiavelli consider towns more difficult to conquer after the Citizens have been in rebellion?

7. Why doesn't Machiavelli expect promises made under force to be kept?

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

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

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

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

In Book 1, Sections 45, Machiavelli warns of the harm that comes from law makers not following the laws they make. What is the support that Machiavelli gives for his position? Do you agree with his position? Why or why not? Is his warning being followed today by American Government? What have been the consequences politically, economically, and socially? Document your support.

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