World History Honors Fall 2013-14

Summer Assignment Part 1:

Niccolo Machiavelli

Before you begin the 1st part of your summer assignment, you should familiarize yourself with Niccolo Machiavelli and his world. Listed below is one link you can use to find information about Machiavelli:

This website contains almost everything about Machiavelli, his life and his works. Your assignment, after you have spent some time becoming familiar with Machiavelli, is to read Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince. If you would like to read the text on-line, instead of purchasing or checking out the book, go to the following link:

  • If for some reason this link does not work, there are numerous online sites to get full-text versions of this book.

Directions: After reading the book answer the questions by writing or typing (10 or 12 font, Times New Roman or Arial)your answers. Either method is acceptable provided the answers are your original work. Understanding these questionsand themes will be of IMMENSE help to you during the course of the year. This assignment will be due the 1st day of school (60 points).

  1. Describe the political situation that prompted Machiavelli to write The Prince.
  2. Identify the 3 major themes of the book (hint: look at the chapter titles).
  3. What were the mistakes of Louis XII listed by Machiavelli in chapter 3? Why does Machiavelli dwell upon their analysis?
  4. Explain why Machiavelli, in Chapter 5, insists so much on destruction?
  5. In chapter 6 and 7, which vices are considered useful and advisable? Why?
  6. Explain Machiavelli’s opinions about the common people and the nobles. How does he feel about the way that a prince should be viewed by his subjects?
  7. What does Machiavelli say about the military duty of a prince?
  8. What is the crux of the dilemma of the prince that Machiavelli presents in chapter 17?
  9. What is the significance of the Myth of Chiron in chapter 18? What are the qualities symbolized by the fox and the lion?
  10. Discuss Machiavelli’s ideas about religion.
  11. Why can’t a prince who is not wise himself be well advised?
  12. As you perceive it, describe what a state might be like under a Machiavellian ruler.

Map Activity Part 2

Directions: Label or number a world map with the land and water features listed below in the color indicated in parenthesis. There will be a map test on the 3rd day of school. I will collect the maps on the day of the test (20 points).

Continents (Red) Rivers (Green)

1. North America 1. Nile River

2. South America 2. Amazon River

3. Australia 3. Mississippi River

4. Europe 4. Indus River

5. Antarctica 5. Ganges River

6. Asia 6. Danube River

7. Africa 7. Yangtze River

8. Huang He River

Oceans and Seas (Blue) 9. Tigris River

1. Atlantic Ocean 10. Euphrates River

2. Pacific Ocean

3. Indian Ocean Mountains (Orange)& Deserts (Brown)

4. Arctic Ocean 1. Rocky Mountains

5. North Sea 2. Appalachian Mountains

6. Baltic Sea 3. Andes Mountains

7. Mediterranean Sea 4. Alps

8. English Channel5. Atlas Mountains

9. Aegean Sea 6. Ural Mountains

10. Black Sea 7. Hindu Kush

11. Caspian Sea 8. Himalayan Mountains

12. Red Sea 9. Pyrenees Mountains

13. Persian Gulf 10. Sierra Madre

14. Arabian Sea 11. Gobi Desert

15. Bay of Bengal 12. Kalahari Desert

16. South China Sea 13. Namib Desert

17. East China Sea 14. Atacama Desert

18. Yellow Sea 15. Syrian Desert

19. Sea of Japan 16. Great Sandy Desert

20. Gulf of Mexico 17.Sahara Desert

Draw and label (some maps may already have them drawn) the following Major Lines of Longitude and Latitude:

1. Arctic Circle (66.5 degrees N Latitude)

2. Equator (0 degrees Latitude)

3. Tropic of Cancer (23.5 degrees N Latitude)

4. Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 degrees S Latitude)

5. Antarctic Circle (66.5 degrees S Latitude)

6. Prime Meridian (0 degrees Longitude)

7. International Date Line (180 degrees Longitude)