Chapter+Summary

The overall message that Machiavelli is trying to make in Chapters 1-8 is that there are certain ways to gain a principality and keep a principality whether it be by one's own character, through force, or from using your own skills and ability, but having it depend on the principality, hereditary or new.

"All states, all powers, that have held and hold rule over men have been and are either republics or principalities” (Machiavelli 1). Principalities: Are either hereditary or new. Chapter two states that //The Prince// will focus mainly on principalities and discard republics. This is done “to discuss how such principalities are to be ruled or preserved”, whether they be entirely new principalities or hereditary, such as principalities tend to be (Machiavelli 1). Machiavelli argues that “there are fewer difficulties in holding hereditary states” (Machiavelli 1). The reason for this is because the members of state have been accustomed to the family of their ruler, hence he is able to transcend the customs of those who ruled before him. If by some extraordinary circumstance the prince of hereditary principalities were to lose power, it would be easy for him to get it back, "whenever anything sinister happens to the usurper, he will regain it" (Machiavelli 1).
 * __Chapters I:__ How Many Kinds of Principalities There Are, And By What Means They Are Acquired and __Chapter II:__****Concerning Hereditary Principalities**


 * "to discuss how such principalities are to be ruled or preserved."
 * "there are fewer difficulties in holding hereditary states."
 * whenever naything sinister happens to the usurper, he will regain it."

In //The Prince// Machiavelli states that “difficulties occur in a new principality” (Machiavelli 1) rather than a hereditary one. This is due to the fact that “men change their rulers willingly, hoping to better themselves”; this newly acquired hope leads them to take violence towards the prince "because they afterwards find by experience they have gone from bad to worse" (Machiavelli 1). When a prince takes over the land of another prince, he is in a bad situation with the people who led him to power and often finds himself unable to fulfill the needs of these people; the reason why new princes are in danger of losing their principality. Another factor that makes new principalities difficult to maintain are the customs of a people. If the newly acquired territory has a difference in language and customs than the prince must take residence in the region to address problems and prevent new ones from arising. By taking residence in the newly acquired region the new prince is able to gain some of the peoples’ respect. Another method that the prince can reference to when dealing with difference in language and customs is to send colonies. These so called colonies serve as cavalries, and will prevent uprisings against the prince. This chapter ends with an emphasis on that in order to hold rule, a prince must remember to: send colonies, maintain friendly relations with the minor powers without increasing their strength, and not let any strong foreign powers gain authority.
 * __Chapter III:__ Concerning Mixed Principalities******


 * "For men change their rulers willingly, hoping to better themselves . . ."
 * "Because they afterwards find by experience they have gone from bad to worse."

__**Chapter IV:__ Why the Kingdom of Darius, Conquered By Alexander, Did Not Rebel Against the Successors of Alexander at His Death****** Machiavelli argues that principalities are “governed in two different ways: either by a prince with a body of servants, who assist him to govern the kingdom as ministers by his favour and permission; or by a prince and barons, who hold that dignity by antiquity of blood and not by the grace of the prince” (Machiavelli 5). The prince is better off with a body of servants because it is more difficult to take over his land holdings. This is due to the fact that since the prince chooses his own ministers they feel a greater sense of loyalty towards him and are therefore less likely to turn on the prince. On the other hand, it is much easier to take over the landholdings of the prince if he has barons. Seeing that barons are placed in their position by lineage, it is more common for them to “find discontent and such desire to change” (Machiavelli 5). If a baron somehow manages to take over it would be difficult for him to keep control of his new principality to govern because in most cases their barons will up rise against him. According to Machiavelli historical evidence of this exist “such as Alexander’s successful conquest of Asia and the rebellions against the Romans in Spain, France, and Greece” (Machiavelli 5)


 * "I answer that the principalities of which one has record are found to be governed in two different ways: either by a prince with a body of servants, who assist him to gover the kingdom as ministers by his favour and permission, or by a prince and barons, who hold that dignity by antiquity of blood and not by the grace of the prince."
 * "Find discontent and such desire to change."
 * Such as Alexander's sucessful conquest of Asia and the rebellions against the Roman in Spain, France, and Greece."

__**Chapter V:__ Concerning the Way to Govern Cities or Principalities Which Lived Under Their Own Laws Before They Were Annexed** According to Machiavelli’s //The Prince// there are only three methods which one can follow to hold “states which have been acquired as stated have been accustomed to live under their own laws, and in freedom” (Machiavelli 6). “The first is to ruin them, the next is to reside there in person, the third is to permit them to live under their own laws; establishing within it an oligarchy which will keep it friendly to you” (Machiavelli 6). Machiavelli argues that the first two methods are not as effective as the third. By ruining the state the prince secures his rule, but then under the danger of being destroyed himself. The third method serves to be the best, due to the fact that it will be ruled by its own citizens, which in return for their freedom will secure the prince’s position.


 * States which have been acquired as stated have been accustomed to live under their own laws, and in freedom."
 * "The first is to ruin them, the next is to reside there in person, the third is to permit them to live under their own laws; establishing within it an oligarchy which will keep it friendly to you."

Machiavelli argues that “wise man ought always to follow the paths beaten by great men, and to imitate those who have been supreme, so that if his ability does not equal theirs, at least it will savour of it” (Machiavelli 6). One who wishes to gain a new principality should strife to gain it based on their own abilities rather than their birth. Even though this method is difficult it will be much easier to “establish their government and its security”. Machiavelli gives as example of successful rulers who have risen to the throne based on their own merits “Moses, Cyrus, Romulus, and Thesus” (Machiavelli 6). Even though many will revolt, the prince can turn to his abilities in order to persuade the state and have loyal followers.
 * __Chapter VI:__ Concerning New Principalities Which Are Acquired by One’s Own Arms and Ability**____


 * "Wise man ought always to follow the paths beaten by great men, and to imitate those who have been supreme, so that if his ability does not equal theirs, at least it will savour it."
 * "Establish their government and its security."
 * "Moses, Cyrus, Romulus, and Thesus."

According to Machiavelli’s //The Prince// “those who solely by good fortune become princes from being private citizens have little trouble in rising, but much in keeping atop” (Machiavelli 8). Princes who by fortune reach the throne are weak, such as Cesare Borgia. His principality was unstable due to the fact that he was unable to maintain his position because many of his followers were not loyal to him. His lack of a good ruling foundation led him to be incompetent in dealing with problems. On the other hand, those princes that do not arise from fortune establish a good foundation. An example of a successful prince who did not arise from fortune is Francesco Sforza. His ruling foundation enabled him to prevent his position from collapsing.
 * __Chapter VII__: Concerning New Principalities Which Are Acquired Either by the Arms of Others or By Good Fortune**


 * "Those who solely by good fortune become princes from being private citizens have little trouble in rising, but much in keeping atop."

Machiavelli mentions that another way in which one can become prince is by “some wicked or nefarious way” (Machiavelli 10). Rising to power by wicked deeds facilitate the rise to power but they are forced to kill and betray people and will therefore be always feared by the population. Machiavelli gives two examples of princes who commit evil deeds, these are Agathocles and Giovanni. Both were in the military later rose to high position. In there new positions of power they grew greedy and wanted to become king. Through a plan they killed those in power and during their reign killed all who seemed like threats to their throne. Even though they proved to be great, they were never respected by the people because they feared them greatly. Machiavelli remarks that “in seizing a state, the usurper ought to examine closely into all those injuries which it is necessary for him to inflict, and to do them in one stroke so as not to have to repeat them daily”, by doing so his followers will eventually forget those wicked deeds that he once committed (Machiavelli 11).
 * __Chapter VIII:__ Concerning Those Who Have Obtained A Principality by Wickedness**


 * "By some wicked or nefarious ways, one ascends to the principality."
 * "In seizing a state, the usurper ought to examine closely into all those injuries which it is necessary for him to inflict, and to do them in one stroke so as not to have to repeat them daily."


 * What do you think is the main point based on chapters 1-8? Does Machiavelli focus on techniques that help to satisfy the people and fufull their needs or does he only put into account that he cares more of glorifying the prince by doing whatever it takes? How did you come to this conclusion?