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 it through De Tocquevilles eyes. Dates: 1896-1916 I selected this era because.. This era represents a perfect blend of De Toquevilles views on liberty, equality, individualism, popular sovereignty, and laissez- faire. This era tested many aspects of American democracy, and has helped mold America into the land of opportunity we live in today. Liberty is the protection against tyranny. Americans are devoted to the rule of law, and their religious faith has helped to strengthen the belief in individual liberty. During the progressive era, American citizens were fighting for liberty against tyrannical monopolies. Businesses would steal the liberty and opportunity for smaller businesses to succeed and prosper. Progressive radicals fought against these monopolies to gain their liberty back. These are some political cartoons during this era criticizing monopolies and their leaders like, John D. Rockefeller. These pictures show how big the monopoly is compared to the average American citizen. Equality represents a society of equals, in the U.S. every is equal, anyone can own land, whereas in Europe they were social classes. During this era we were fighting for equality. Minority groups, mostly African Americans and women were highly discriminated against. The most discrimination was in the workplace, even if they were to get a job they were not treated as equals. This pictures show the fight for equality among African Americans and women. They were fighting for the same rights and privileges as everyone else in America. Individualism means Americans were free to prosper without hereditary restrictions, and we can rise in society. During the progressive era individualism was tested again referring back to business monopolies. Only few individuals were able to rise in society. Everyone else was left to be controlled by these leaders.
Americans were trying to stand out and prosper in society but, their success was deferred by monopolies and the society. Popular sovereignty is the participation of the common people in political life, and its goal is peace and prosperity. The progressive era had for the most part a significant amount of popular sovereignty. After all, progressive radicals would protest for the betterment of different aspects of society, and this helped change the society. Protesters had a large amount of participation in the contribution of peace and prosperity. These books represent muckrakers taking advantage of popular sovereignty to try and change American society. The jungle exposed the meatpacking industry, McClure's magazine exposed John D Rockefeller along with The History of The Standard Oil Company. Laissez-faire(hands-off) meant that each individual was the best judge of his own interest. Laissez-Faire in this era allowed business monopolies to get out of control. Greedy people were allowed to take over an entire business for their personal gain only with little government interference, this is what triggered the progressive era. Laissez-faire caused a variety of issues during the progressive era. There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle. To me this quote means that each political party is based upon good principles, but neither party is purely common sense and fairness. Although both the republicans and democrats have important values within their parties they each have a set back. There has yet to be a party that only has common principles. De Tocquevilles view of America, was a land of freedom, equality, and opportunity. America was a place where you could succeed, prosper and achieve your goals. Some aspects to America are still exceptional like popular sovereignty, us as citizens have a large say in who runs our country. He would be even more impressed of how far we have come with equality, we have made great strides for everyone to enjoy the same rights. He would be disappointed to know we kicked laissez-faire to the curb due to the great depression, we need government involvement. We have a lot of liberty today due to past experiences with British rule, and business monopolies. His views of America today, would only increase with amazement at how far weve come since he first began studying about America.