Alexis de Tocqueville was a citizen of France, sent

to observe American prisons, by the French

government in the 1830s. While in America, he
began a journal, commenting on the
exceptionalism of America and its citizens.
He focused on five characteristics: Liberty,
Equality, Individualism, Popular Sovereignty,
and Laissez Faire.
Our class assignment was to select an era of
American History, after the Civil War, and look at
through de Tocquevilles eyes.

The Great Depression
Date: October 29, 1929 Early 1940s
The reason why I selected this area is because
this is a time where many thing changed in
American society showing a downfall or
negative effect to the U.S. and it changed many
peoples views on the economy, people, etc.
Liberty according to Tocqueville is the protection
against tyramica government with the biggest
danger being the tyranny of the majority.
Liberty during this era was highly different
because people had no choice but to sacrifice
liberty in hope to get to do things like to eat.
Another factor was the indefinite extension of
government functions that would eventually fade
away or erode the liberties of the people.
Equality according to Tocqueville is a
society where everyone is completely
equal in rights, a society of equals.
Equality was very miniscule during this
era because the wealthy and poor were
separated leaving no middle class,
hence a very unequal society, no
equality.

Individualism according to Tocqueville is when
Americans are free to flourish without hereditary
distinctions, believing they could rise in society.
Individualism during this era was known as
Rugged individualism referring to the idea that
each individual should be able to help themselves
out, and that government doesnt need
involvement.
Popular Sovereignty according to Tocqueville
is when everyone has the right to vote and the
goal in the society was to have peace and
prosperity.
Popular Sovereignty during this era was a so-
so thing since blacks still didnt have full
freedom yet like civil rights. The right to vote
was something that really took effect during
this era.
Laissez Faire according to Tocqueville is when
the Government takes hands off the economy
and that it is a key value for every individual to
judge own economic standings.
Laissez Faire during this Era was critical since
the depression happened due to the failure to
follow the policies.
Americans combine the notions of religion
and liberty so intimately in their minds, that it
is impossible to make them conceive of one
without the other. Alexis de Tocqueville
My interpretation is that religion and liberty
only work well together as that is how it stands
for all the American people.

De Tocqueville views on American society was
very intuitive as it actually did stand up to what it
really has become. Liberty, Equality, Popular
Sovereignty, Individualism, and Laissez-Faire
really took effect on our society today. He would
view America today as almost the same as he did
before because barely anything has changed which
is not surprising. The most questionable one if he
viewed America now would be Laissez-Faire as
that is something that has changed a lot during the
era. People are still running the traditional way of
equality, liberty, etc.