Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville - 1300 Words

The Consideration of Democracy, Blacks, and Slavery Tocqueville, in Democracy in America, dwells on the strengths and weaknesses of American democracy. When discussing race relations, he recognizes that the presence of the black race in America and the occupation of blacks in slavery could threaten the continuation of the United States as a Union and a republic. As a Union, the United States could be torn apart by the disparities between the North and the South and tensions between blacks and whites. As a republic, although the United States is more grounded, the aftermath of slavery could erode republican institutions if mores and laws are dangerously altered. Although Tocqueville leaves suggestions of action for the United States, he†¦show more content†¦355). Being foreign to one another, having a previous relationship of master to slave, and being of different races would all contribute to the incapability and/or unwillingness of whites and blacks to intermingle, and thu s unity would be impossible. In fact, Tocqueville believes that unity may never be possible and the Union may continue with weakness, first, because â€Å"a natural prejudice leads a man to scorn anybody who has been his inferior, long after he has become his equal,† and second, because â€Å"the abolition of slavery in the South would increased the repugnance felt by the white population toward the Negroes† (pp. 341, 357). Both reasons seem long-lasting, possibly permanent, in which whites would maintain a mindset and perspective concerning blacks, stemming from an inequality and inferiority that urged whites to use slavery. Whites, in the North and the South, view blacks with disdain initially because they believe blacks to be lesser beings and continually because they were once slaves and subordinates. Certain circumstances in America have produced a solid and natural republic, but drastic alterations of mores and laws during and after slavery could rupture the republic. Tocqueville defines a republic as â€Å"an orderly state really founded on the enlightened will of the people...a conciliatory government under which resolutions have time to ripen, being discussed with deliberation and executed only when mature†¦[and under] the tranquil rule of theShow MoreRelatedEssay about Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy in America1197 Words   |  5 Pages Democracy in America has been a guiding principle since the foundation of the country. 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