Question

Read this paragraph from chapter 5 of The Prince.

Whenever those states which have been acquired as stated have been accustomed to live under their own laws and in freedom, there are three courses for those who wish to hold them: 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, drawing a tribute, and establishing within it an oligarchy which will keep it friendly to you. Because such a government, being created by the prince, knows that it cannot stand without his friendship and interest, and does its utmost to support him; and therefore he who would keep a city accustomed to freedom will hold it more easily by the means of its own citizens than in any other way.

What is the most important idea the author wants readers to know?

Answer 1

A

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

There are three means of holding a newly acquired state that is accustomed to freedom.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this excerpt Niccolò Machiavelli is arguing for the prince that no place already accustomed to freedom such as republics and democracies will accept to be ruled by a prince without trying to defeat him, so he tells there are three ways which the prince can conquer it, this is the main idea here.