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

2. How does Machiavelli expect a city can keep its freedom after a weak Prince follows an excellent Prince?

3. According to Machiavelli, how did the Agrarian Laws violate the foundation of well-ordered Republics?

4. What was a rival Empire to Rome as Rome began its expansion?

5. What does Machiavelli recommend to a City that is unable to defend itself, but wants to be protected from anyone who would attack it?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why did Machiavelli consider the naming of a Caesar (dictator) over Rome was beneficial to the Empire?

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

4. In the title of Book 1, Section 8, what does Machiavelli mean with the phrase, "...so much so calumnies are pernicious...?"

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

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

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

8. From what did Niccolo Machiavelli make the present that he sent to Zanobi Buondelmonti and Cosimo Rucellai?

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

10. Why should a Prince measure his forces and govern by his decisions based upon them before he enters a war?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

Machiavelli gives seemingly conflicting advice regarding changing governments in Book 1, Sections 25 and 26. Identify the differences between the two situations over which Machiavelli recommends changes and compare one example each that Machiavelli gives in the two chapters to changes in governments to two world events over the last 70 years.

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