Equality in America during the 1830's to 1860's
Alexis de Tocqueville?s description of America as a land of equality was an inaccurate one, as his opinion came out of dealings exclusively with upper society and he concurred with the majority of the population that the treatment of blacks, women, and ?undesirables? as second-class citizens was not a contradiction to the principles of democracy. The time period in which Tocqueville lived was one of rapid change not only within the United States, but also worldwide. The monarchies of Europe were leaning towards becoming republics, and Tocqueville set out to dispute the European notion that a republic would end up as little more than mob-rule by using the United States as the example of the success of the republic. Unfortunately, while the United States achieved much in the way of progress, Tocqueville?s descriptions were full of exaggeration and ignorance. Slavery still existed in the land that was based on the belief that, ?all men are created equal.? Women were being viewed as the epitome of gentleness and morals but were still denied the right to vote, own property if they were married, or even to sign their own wills. Undesirables such as the insane were locked up in institutions where the conditions were not fit for livestock
It grew out of a desire to encourage the aristocratic world of Europe to adopt the principles of democracy. Instead of working alongside their husbands, these women stayed at home and cared for the children. Indeed, the industrialization of the United States did represent progress in the world, as goods could now be made cheaper and faster. The second group morally objected to the institution and could not see it existing in the same realm as the Constitution. These factors represented the failures of democracy, but were ignored or written off by Tocqueville. They were viewed by society as the champions of gentleness and morals, values that they would then bestow on their innocent children. The second group of women lived within the middle and upper classes. But because these women were relatively educated, they resented these restrictions. Unfortunately, the mechanization of manufacturing also meant an increase in the demand for raw materials. ? By this he meant that Americans could accomplish through voluntary, grassroots efforts the sort of social change that only powerful rulers could accomplish in Europe. Another harsh reality of these mental institutions was the fact that to be deemed ?insane? at this point in history was not actually based on an understanding of mental illness. For this reason, society stated that a woman?s place was in the home and that she should not engage in any sort of intellectual pursuit. The first group was the working class women. They rejected slavery based on moral grounds but also wanted it abolished because they viewed it as a step forward in their own fight for equality in a society dominated by white males.
Common topics in this essay:
Unfortunately United,
Abraham Lincolns,
,
United France,
Lynde Dix,
institution slavery,
tocquevilles description,
tocquevilles description america,
vote own property,
own property married,
denied vote own,
created equal,
property married,
class women,
majority population,
19th century,
widening class,
principles democracy,
abolitionist movement,
|
Acceptance Essays
