HIS 101
Machiavelli Paper Assignment

 



 

This map of Renaissance Italy reflects one of the concerns that prompted Machiavelli to write his book and dedicate it to Lorenzo II de' Medici (1492-1519).  Machiavelli's intent was to provide a blueprint to unify Italy so that Italy might once again be great, as it was during the Roman Empire, and be a rival to the other great powers in Europe at that time.  By the early sixteenth century, both France and Spain had gone through the long-drawn out struggle to create unified countries (better to call them kingdoms rather than countries or states) and had emerged as the powers in Europe.
Photo credit.

The Italian Renaissance
 
Red Separator Bar
 
Read Niccolò  Machiavelli (1469-1527) The Prince (in its entirety).

Answer the following question in a one-page paper:

Citing specific evidence from Machiavelli's The Prince (not from the textbook), identify, and briefly explain, the qualities of the ideal political leader.
 
Your paper must follow the following format:
  • typed using a word processor (font size 10 or 12 only)
  • one-inch margins
  • double-spaced
  • page number citations for your quoted evidence
  • not to exceed one (1) page
  • name, date and HIS 101 at the top left
  • must have a brief introduction and conclusion (each not to exceed two sentences)
  • You may consider submitting drafts of your assignment to your instructor for feedback before submitting the assignment for a grade. Please send some specific questions that you would like answered about your draft. The questions can be general (Is my introduction clear?) or specific (Is the phrase, "Chardin was jeweller," written correctly?).  You can send in multiple drafts (within reason) of an assignment before you submit for a grade.
  • At times, you may be asked to rewrite your essay before it is graded.  This is done for your own benefit and will result in an improved grade.
Before proceeding, you might wish to read the short notes and review the study questions on Machiavelli.

Your assignment should be sent to your course instructor following the directions for submitting assignments.
 
Please take a moment to review Charlie's History Writing Center for specific information on the writing requirements for the assignments in the course.

The Machiavelli Paper is worth a maximum of 100 points.

 

 

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