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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. De Tocqueville observes that, while traveling outside their own country, Americans tend to travel with signs associated with _______________?

2. What is one of the freedoms Americans have written into laws that will protect against democracy being oppression?

3. The small variations in manners between Americans and others are interpreted, by Americans, as an expression of what?

4. According to de Tocqueville, too much equality leads individuals to what?

5. In America, citizens have a right to what kind of associations?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does de Tocqueville define comfort?

2. In de Tocqueville's beliefs, how does too much emphasis on equality lead to tyrannical power?

3. What is at least one thing that led America to develop industry instead of agriculture?

4. What two concepts, though linked, should not be confounded?

5. In a real world, do democracies value equality or liberty more?

6. What protects a democratic society from the great excesses that plague aristocratic societies, according to de Tocqueville?

7. What is at least one difference between the family in a democratic society and in an aristocratic society?

8. Why are democratic societies less likely to wage war?

9. What is the major difference between the classic aristocrat and the new aristocrat in America according to de Tocqueville?

10. What does the lack of rigidity in a family relationship in a democratic society allow the family to do, according to de Tocqueville?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

De Tocqueville states that democracy influences human relationships. In what ways does the information and ideas that de Tocqueville presents support or deny this idea? Which side do you agree with and why? Support your answer with examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

Using examples from the book, what is tyranny, and how does democracy fight it?

Essay Topic 3

What is de Tocqueville's definition of religion? What role does religion play in politics, specifically in a democracy? Support your answer with examples and ideas from the book.

(see the answer keys)

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