1. Alexander de Tocqueville
French philosopher and historian who visited and observed American and British governments.
He is best known for his opinions on the uniqueness of America, compared to the then well established European governments.

2. For each of the following quotes:
Read and write key words or phrases
What is the main idea?
You will need this info written down for a summary at the end.

3. #1
“Democracy extends the sphere of individual freedom, socialism restricts it. Democracy attaches all possible value to each man; socialism makes each man a mere agent, a mere number. Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word: equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.”

4. #2
“I do not know if the people of the United States would vote for superior men if they ran for office, but there can be no doubt that such men do not run… Americans are so enamored of equality, they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.”

5. #3
“When I refuse to obey an unjust law, I do not contest the right of the majority to command, but I simply appeal from the sovereignty of the people to the sovereignty of mankind.”
“But in America the sovereignty of the people is neither hidden nor sterile as with some other nations; mores recognize it, and the laws proclaim it; it spreads with freedom and attains unimpeded its ultimate consequences.”

6. #4
“Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.”
“I am unaware of his plans but I shall never stop believing in them because I cannot fathom them and I prefer to mistrust my own intellectual capacities than his justice.”

7. #5
“For indeed few men are idle in democratic nations; life is passed in the midst of noise and excitement, and men are so engaged in acting that little remains to them for thinking. I would especially remark that they are not only employed, but that they are passionately devoted to their employments. They are always in action, and each of their actions absorbs their faculties: the zeal which they display in business puts out the enthusiasm they might otherwise entertain for idea.”

8. #6
“Now that I am drawing to the close of this work, in which I have spoken of so many important things done by the Americans, to what the singular prosperity and growing strength of that people ought mainly to be attributed, I should reply: To the superiority of their women.”

9. #7
"There are now two great nations in the world, which starting from different points, seem to be advancing toward the same goal: the Russians and the Anglo-Americans... Each seems called by some secret design of Providence one day to hold in its hands the destinies of half the world.

10. Reflection
What was Alexander de Tocqueville writing about? What were some of his opinions on government and society?
How do you think these ideas would have impacted Europeans who had never visited the United States?
How do you think these ideas would have impacted Americans and how they defined their own American Identity?