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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. What political ideology is reinforced by an authoritarian character?

2. What does Fromm believe to be the main driving force in history?

3. What German social class supported Hitler but did not adopt his ideologies?

4. In the chapter "Freedom and Democracy," how does a person develop individuality?

5. What is automaton conformity?

Short Essay Questions

1. What role does the family have in developing the character structure of an individual?

2. How is an individual's character structure affected by economic and political changes?

3. What is true freedom and what do Fromm's critics fear it can lead to?

4. What are the consequences for the individual and society when pressure to conform exists?

5. What was life like for the lower, middle class following World War I? How did these conditions impact impacted their submission to Nazism?

6. How does a democratic society put pressure on individuals to conform?

7. What characteristics describe the first group of Germans who supported the Nazis?

8. What qualities did Hitler and Nazism possess that appealed to a large population of Germans?

9. What is spontaneous action and original thought?

10. What role does character play in the individual and society?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare Fromm and Freud's points of view on human development. In your essay, answer the following questions:

1). How are Freud and Fromm similar in their beliefs of human development?

2). What beliefs are different between these two thinkers?

3). Describe Fromm's analysis of other academics beliefs, including the Marxist historians and "idealists" like Weber.

Essay Topic 2

Compare Hitler's authoritarian style of leadership to that of a democratic leader like President Obama. In your response, address the following points:

1). How are these leadership styles different?

2). What would Fromm state as to the reason for these differences?

3). Are there any similarities between Hitler's leadership style and Hitler's? If so, what are those similarities and if not, why aren't there any similarities?

4). Use Fromm's thoughts on freedom and democracy as well as the psychology of Nazism to support your evidence and inferences.

Essay Topic 3

Explain how an individual's freedom has changed over time. Begin with Fromm's discussion of freedom during the Middle Ages and continue with the changes freedom saw during the Renaissance. Analyze the level of freedom man has during times of conformity, like during Hitler's Nazi regime, and how freedoms are restored in a democratic society.

(see the answer keys)

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