Chapter 8 Flashcards
In the first few paragraphs of chapter 2, Alexis de Tocqueville compares American Democracy to what key image?
a new-born child at the start of its life
In chapter 2, De Tocqueville says there are 2 main branches in the “great Anglo-American family”. What are they and what geographic terms does he use to describe them?
The 2 main branches are the one in the north (New England) and the one in the south (Virginia).
In chapter 2, why were schools established in the early New England colonies?
Schools were established in the early New England colonies to combat the enemy of mankind, Satan, who uses ignorance to keep people from reading the Bible.
(because “Satan, the enemy of mankind, finds his strongest weapons in the ignorance of man”, because “it is important that the wisdom of our fathers shall not remain buried in their tombs”, and because “the education of children is one of the prime concerns of the state.”)
At the end of the Law about schools, de Tocqueville says that the observance of what “guides men to freedom”?
Observance of the divine laws
In chapter 3, de Tocqueville says that what law was the last step to equality?
the law of inheritance, which abolished the law of primogeniture
What is the danger of trying to evaluate works in western culture that are close to our own time?
We’re too close in time to these works to be able to see it clearly and how it is related to all of history. There hasn’t been enough time for many people to comment on and support these works as truly important to western culture. We can think something is important and wonderful, but it may not stand the test of time.
Who will be able to judge rightly the important literature of our contemporary age?
People who live 500+ years after us.
Who was the monarch who came to power in the 1800s? How long did she rule?
Queen Victoria, who ruled from 1837 to 1901.
Who was one of the key figures of the Transcendentalist movement in England? What did he write?
Thomas Carlyle, who wrote “Sartor Resartus”.
What did this figure teach?
All the supernatural elements of Christianity and religious expression in other religions are not literal but just lovely metaphors pointing to deeper truths.
Who were the two popular authors who followed this teaching?
Alfred Lord Tennyson & Charles Dickens
How is the birth of democracy in America different than the birth of democracy in other countries?
America started as a democracy while other European countries had lots of historical baggage before they came to democracy. In this manner, America is a new development different from most of western history.
What is the most important fact about America according to Alexis de Tocqueville?
the equality of conditions
What does Alexis de Tocqueville hope will come from his study of democracy in America?
He hopes that his study will help to repair and reform democracy in Europe.
What is the law of Primogeniture? Is this a practice in America?
This is the rule for inheritance where the eldest son is the sole inheritor of his father’s goods and property. This is not the practice in America.
