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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 happens when the political restraints that an individual has come to rely on are removed?

2. What happened to Germany's economic stability following World War I?

3. Prior to World War I, who was the lower, middle class obedient to?

4. Why did the Nazi regime appear to be stable?

5. What is "pseudo-thinking"?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Fromm describe sadistic people?

2. What is spontaneous action and original thought?

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

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

5. What is the social function of education?

6. How does Fromm describe masochistic people?

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

8. What traits of an authoritarian character did Hitler possess?

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

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

Define the political, social and economic impact capitalism had on individual freedom. In your answer, address the following historical events:

1). The Protestant Reformation-How did this religious movement bring about economic change and increased social class freedom?

2). The Renaissance-How was this movement characterized by capitalism? What impact did it have on society and the individual?

3). Post World War I Germany-how did the economic situation of inflation and depression change the political an social climate in pre-Nazi Germany?

Essay Topic 2

Compare the freedoms individuals possessed under the Catholic Church and those under Protestantism. In your response, be sure to answer the following questions:

1). Which religion provided greater freedom for the individual, and how did it provide that freedom?

2). How were other organized structures like politics and economics affected by each religion?

3). How did each religion appeal to the different social classes?

4). How did social class affect one's freedom?

Essay Topic 3

Describe in great detail Fromm's three "Mechanisms of Escape." Your essay should be divided into three sections:

1). Describe authoritarianism, the authoritarian character, why people submit to authoritarian leaders, and examples from history.

2). Explain Fromm's definition of destructiveness, what causes it, consequences for it, and historical examples.

3). Evaluate the effects of automaton conformity on society and the individual man.

(see the answer keys)

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