On Magnu's Freiheitssatz and free polynomial algebras

The Freiheitssatz of Magnus for one-relator groups is one of the cornerstones of combinatorial group theory. In this short note which is mostly expository we discuss the relationship between the Freiheitssatz and corre- sponding results in free power series rings over fields. These are related to results of Schneerson not readily available in English. This relationship uses a faithful representation of free groups due to Magnus. Using this method in free polynomial algebras provides a proof of the Freiheitssatz for one-relation monoids. We show how the classical Freiheitssatz depends on a condition on certain ideals in power series rings in noncommuting variables over fields. A proof of this result over fields would provide a completely dif erent proof of the classical Freiheitssatz.