1. Difficulties of new principalities

1. What are they?

1. Men change rulers but then have higher expectations.
2. Princes must have armed force, which vexes people.
3. Princes won't have "friends" among those who were injured in the takeover.
4. Princes cannot preserve "friends" who were allies during the takeover because their expectations will be too high.

2. Allusion to King Louis XII (contemporary allusion)

2. What should a prince do?

1. Establish colonies

1. Only those people kicked out will be upset.
2. They will be too poor and spread out to hurt you.
3. If you opt for armed forces instead of colonies EVERYONE will hate you.

2. Become "chief and protector of smaller powers"

1. Never let strangers in (they will sway malcontents)
2. Weaken the most powerful
3. Be like the Romans-think ahead (historical allusion)
4. Allusion to King Louis XII (contemporary allusion)

3. Mistakes made by King Louis XII

1. Destroyed the weak (Venetians and other allies)
2. Increased power of already powerful
3. Didn't reside there.
4. Established powerful "stranger"
5. No colonies
6. Attempted to deprive Venetians of possessions

3. Machiavelli's personal response to this topic

1. Anecdote-conversation with Archbishop (illustrates his nationalism-could be appearance for deMedici's benefit)
2. Prince that causes another to be powerful will "work his own ruin"