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

2. How do weak men handle changes in fortune, according to Machiavelli?

3. How did Phillip of Macedonia avoid battles with Fabius Maximus?

4. For what reason does Machiavelli advise people in power to, "...lay aside personal hatred?"

5. What method of dealing with leaders of tumults that divide cities does Machiavelli favor?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were the two evils that Machiavelli claims came to Rome as its Empire grew in geographical size?

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

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

4. 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?

5. What are two remedies that Machiavelli recommends in Book Three, section16 to prevent a City from becoming corrupted by periods of peace and wealth?

6. What is the advice that Machiavelli gives to Princes who take possessions from another Prince?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Machiavelli began his observations of war in Book 2. Find Machiavelli's views of three different ways wars benefit a Republic. Respond to his positions with your own views. Support your views with the type of historical documentation Machiavelli used to support his positions. Do not limit yourself to the history of Rome.

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