Machiavelli was greatly influenced by the 1499 military scandal when the Florentines unsuccessfully tried to capture Pisa with mercenary troops, the leader of the mercenary army was a man called Vitelli who called off the attack the Florentines called Vitelli a traitor and he was executed and as a result Machiavelli believed that mercenary troops should not be trusted and that all states should be self sufficient and protected by their own army. So therefore he believed that a princes duty is to be a soldier and create an army.
At the age of 29 Machiavelli was granted a position as an apprentice in lower grades of the Chancery, at first he was to be concerned with internal affairs but later on he was given some responsibility with foreign affairs and defence. He was sent on many diplomatic missions but the first important one was to the French court in 1500. Machiavelli observed the full effect of having one Prince ruling a united country. Louis XII (who provided the troops for the assault on Pisa) was a ruthless strong leader and although he left France ridiculed and named a Mr. Nothing, Machiavelli learned that those qualities were needed by a Prince.
When he returned from France in 1502 Machiavelli met Cesare Borgia, a Spanish aristocrat, a much feared and despised tyrant from Romangna in the north region in Italy. Machiavelli witnessed the murder of two of Borgia’s officers at a banquet (“Massacre of Senigallia”), which reinforced Borgia’s authority and enabled him to firmly govern his state, which Machiavelli admired him because of this. He thought that Borgia’s qualities would make him the perfect prince to unite Italy. He became acquainted with power politics through his important diplomatic missions during a time of great political acitivity. Italy could not be united unless its leader was ruthless.
Machiavelli was now greatly influenced by those rulers hell bent on corruption power and greed. Power was more important than any moral or philosophical course. He was still loyal to the state but he now realised that although the prince must build his state on the goodwill of the people and respect his subjects. He had to be ready to administer cruel punishment as in the long run “it is often kinder to be cruel than weak to maintain social order, strong action was needed to maintain social order and keep the state running smoothly.”
Machiavelli’s preference for popular or free government, however excluded all those who did not own a “stake in their own” country such as women and children, servants, foreigners and any other dependents. The minority left were expected to be to show keen interest in public affairs as well as be patriotic and independent.
This State would be made up of the native Florentines, independent businessmen their own land and wealth - in other words- the Bourgeoise, the elite upper class. This elite upper class would govern and protect the native proletariat citizens as well as maintain social order.
Machiavelli believed that Florence’s citizens needed: a strong Prince; a nation composed of relatively powerless people which was best served by a powerful and centralized government, which would make their decisions for them and aggressively defend their interests to the betterment of all fortune. A skilful statesman should have the ability to make use of it, but not to rely upon the fortuitous events, which might occur in his career.
He saw virtu as ruthlessness and all that goes with it: Bravery; courage; strength; vigour and prowess, although these virtu’s don’t guarantee success, because this means relying on fortune. Machievelli believed the best methods of defence are those based on your own virtu and virtu is the key to achieving success amid the changes of fortunes.
Machiavelli’s theories on the state are essentially idealistic and possibly unrealistic but the city of Florence’s welfare was always his first priority, he was devoted to Florence with its fine architecture and talented, artistic people. Machiavelli loved his native city “ more than his own soul”. He was basically a generous and good man. He had a dream that he would see the redemption of Italy and a society of good and pure men.