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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The democratic writer assumes that man is what?
(a) Powerless.
(b) Logical.
(c) Powerful.
(d) Thinking.

2. Where were the first colonies established?
(a) Virginia.
(b) New Haven.
(c) New England.
(d) Delaware.

3. The New World is considered to be what, geographically, to the rest of the world?
(a) Isolated.
(b) To the East.
(c) To the West.
(d) Nearby.

4. De Tocqueville characterizes the relationship between politics and religion as what?
(a) Similar ideas that can be incorporated together.
(b) Opposites who do not need each other.
(c) Similar ideas, and so they must be kept separate.
(d) Opposites who need each other.

5. By excluding minorities from power, what does de Tocqueville believe will happen?
(a) The foundation of democracy will be endangered.
(b) The foundations of the Constitution will be violated.
(c) A new type of democratic rule will emerge.
(d) The minority will revolt against the majority.

Short Answer Questions

1. Freedom of the press is described as what type of weapon?

2. Compared to an aristocratic government ruled by an elite administration, democracy allows for what?

3. Politically, the New World has never experienced what?

4. What type of people are educated and serve to bring reason to debates through logic?

5. According to de Tocqueville, equality can enable what?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is one of the drawbacks to de Tocqueville's view of the American approach to literature and poetry?

2. Before the American Revolution, what were the two great political parties in the United States and what were their aims?

3. Why does de Tocqueville believe that freedom of opinion is practically non-existent in the United States?

4. According to de Tocqueville, although the democratic writer might have less to write about, what is the level of importance of what he writes about?

5. Why does the minority recognize the decision and rights of the majority in America, according to de Tocqueville's observations?

6. According to de Tocqueville, why does the United States only produce journalistic literature?

7. According to de Tocqueville, what are the differences between the American and European press?

8. What does de Tocqueville believe is the logic that is followed when people adopt the authority of the majority?

9. What are some of the suggestions that equality makes to the beliefs of the American people?

10. De Tocqueville believes that religion provides what to Americans?

(see the answer keys)

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