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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Book One, The Development of Rome's Constitution, Sundry Reflections on the Kings of Rome, The Introduction of New Forms of Government, Ingratitude.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Machiavelli expect a city can keep its freedom after a weak Prince follows an excellent Prince?
(a) Only if a Prince with the virtue of the excellent Prince follows the weak Prince.
(b) Only if the citizens ignore the weak Prince and organize themselves to retain virtue.
(c) Only if the city does not fall into war with a more virtuous city.
(d) Only if administrators conspire to act with the virtue of the excellent Prince.

2. Why does Machiavelli recommend that those who want to reform a city should retain the appearance of the institutions they want to reform?
(a) Because keeping the appearance of those institutions helps to hide the true agenda of the Prince.
(b) Because keeping the appearance of those institutions helps to keep important advisers within the circle of government.
(c) Because keeping the appearance of those institutions assures a smooth transition of power.
(d) Because the general masses are satisfied with appearances and are moved by things as they appear rather than by the way they operate (perception is reality).

3. What did Machiavelli identify as the cause of conspiracy against a hereditary Princes?
(a) They degenerated from their fathers, and surpassed others in sumptuousness and lasciviousness and in every other kind of delight.
(b) Less powerful people desired the power of the Prince.
(c) The general population became dissatisfied with the distribution of wealth.
(d) The larger population of citizens became unhappy with the the political preferences of the Princes.

4. Of what should Princes be most ashamed in Machiavelli's view?
(a) Missing opportunities to conquer other cities.
(b) Being discovered to be self-absorbed and not devoted to building the strength of their cities.
(c) Consuming his wealth in debauchery.
(d) Lacking their own soldiers for defense and offense.

5. What does Machiavelli claim causes ingratitude from a conquered citizenry?
(a) When the conquerors remove freedoms that the citizens knew before being conquered.
(b) Treating conquered citizens harshly.
(c) Taking conquered citizens into slavery.
(d) Taking the property of conquered citizens.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli suggest that those who have received great rewards should not be spared punishments for acting badly?

2. From what did Machiavelli develop the information that he wrote into "The Discourses"?

3. What does Machiavelli suggest causes corruption?

4. What are the five types of government identified by Machiavelli?

5. What historical records did Machiavelli use to support his point for keeping two important items out of peril?

(see the answer key)

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