Machiavelli Research Paper

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Machiavelli
Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian philosopher who was of great importance to his time period in Europe and also significantly impacted the western world as a whole. He was born in Florence, Italy, on May 3, 1469 (NiccolÒ Machiavelli Biography). During his youth, Florence was controlled by the powerful Medici family. When the Medici’s fell from power, Girolamo Savonarola became the leader of Florence. After the fall of Savonarola’s government, the Florentine republic had been reestablished and Machiavelli was selected to be secretary of the Second Chancery, a position in which he coordinated and organized relations with Florence's territorial possessions (Harvey Mansfield). Because of his intelligence, Machiavelli was also appointed …show more content…

The very first changes marking the Renaissance occurred in Florence, Italy, where Machiavelli was born. The city was flourishing as many talented thinkers, including writers, painters, sculptors, architects, and philosophers made Florence an effective model of new cultures, as they displayed humanism through their works. The Medici family played a role in Florence’s rebirth as patrons of the arts, participating in the development of the city. Many early writers, including Machiavelli, came from Florence. If Machiavelli were not born in this successful, humanistic city during this time, he may not have been the successful writer he turned out to …show more content…

Even though Machiavelli himself held many harsh beliefs, his principals about liberty, opposed to monarchy, impacted leaders in his time as well as in our time today. Machiavelli paved the way for countries around the world to drift away from absolute monarchies, and start focusing on his favored idea of liberalism, where individuals are protected and equal. Machiavelli’s thoughts in The prince and liberalism both support government over religious power, citizen armies, a government with voting citizens and elected officials rather than a king or a queen, and the ideals of honesty. Some aspects of Machiavelli’s ideologies are seen in the United States

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