European History AP Summer Reading Assignment
Objectives:
1. I can explain Machiavelli’s view on leadership qualities and why these might have been considered controversial. 2. I can anticipate forms of government that might have used Machiavelli’s The Prince as a justifications for their rule.
Procedures:
Step 1. Students will need to purchase a copy of Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince.
Step 2. Before reading The Prince, students will spend 5-10 minutes brainstorming what in their own opinion are the qualities of a good leader. Once the brainstorming activity is complete, students should write a brief essay (AP/College Level quality) on what a good leader is.
Step 3. Before reading The Prince, students should spend 5-10 minutes brainstorming what skills they feel a good leader should possess in order to effectively accomplish their job. After brainstorming, students should write a brief essay explaining why these skills are important to a leader.
Step 4. Students should then read Machiavelli’s The Prince annotating areas where Machiavelli agrees with your views on leadership and were he disagrees with your views. Students may find it helpful to create the following chart to help them keep track of these agreements and disagreements. Continuing with as many examples as you can uncover.
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Machiavelli Agrees
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Machiavelli disagrees
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Step 5. Be prepared to answer the following discussion questions as part of class based activities.
A. The modern word “Machiavellian” has been used to describe dishonest governing and a lack of morality. Do you agree or disagree? Provide evidence from the text to support your answer.
B. In Chapter XVII, Machiavelli says that it is far better for a ruler to be feared than loved. What justification does he use for the statement? Do you agree or disagree?
C. According to Machiavelli, there are four ways that a ruler can come to power. Identify those four methods and discuss which of the four methods that you feel would be most effective. Explain why, with evidence from the text to support you if possible.
D. Research quickly the historical context of The Prince. In what ways does the arguments and examples of The Prince reflect that context? Students will need to do independent research in order to understand historical context.