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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. How did Machiavelli report that the Nobles controlled the process of Plebes having the opportunity to choose Plebes for four Tribunes?

2. What is a Prince as Machiavelli uses the term?

3. Why does Machiavelli consider the Roman Caesars to have been a benefit to the Roman Empire?

4. Reviewing earlier chapters of "The Discourses", why would Machiavelli consider long wars in foreign lands important?

5. What does Machiavelli believe to the nature of men that causes them to either fight from ambition or from necessity?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Machiavelli consider a Citizen rising to take authority through irregular means (popular uprising) harmful in a Republic?

2. What does Machiavelli claim proves the Romans' love for liberty?

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

4. Why does Machiavelli challenge Cities to punish citizens with respected reputations when they commit wrong acts?

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

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

7. What kind of Prince does Machiavelli consider to be weak?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Book 3, Sections 43 and 46, Machiavelli details how customs are handed down in Cities and through families. Give examples from your personal experiences that support statements from the two chapters. If Machiavelli was alive today, how would he evaluate the qualities of customs that are handed down in modern American Cities and families? Use statements from the book to support your assertions.

Essay Topic 2

Machiavelli used history of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire to develop much of his support for his positions. What are the dates of the existence of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire, what differences in the forms of government between the two, and what brought the passage of the Republic to the Empire.

Essay Topic 3

In Book 1, Section 46, Machiavelli applauds the Roman Plebs for having the wisdom not to elect Plebs to the position of Tribunes. Then in Book 1, Section 47 he applauds the Nobles for the methods they used to manage the decision of the Plebs. How does the context of Machiavelli's report in the two chapters form your opinion of Machiavelli's character, his views of freedom, and his views on corruption? Do you agree with Machiavelli's positions in the two chapters? Why or why not?

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