Tocqueville illustrates in chapter two, “Origin of the Anglo-Americans, and the Importance of this Origin in Relation to their Future Condition,” the way in which the origins of the United States, more specifically, New England, allows us to understand and examine the production of equality and freedom in government and social conditions. He finds it necessary to see the roots and foundation of both equality and freedom in society to be able to accurately analyze their growth and overarching meaning. The United States is the only country in which you are able to so closely examine the society’s natural growth and see the distinguishable influence which permitted the origin of future conditions. He clarifies the difference between the development of the south versus the North. The south predominantly formed as the people seeked riches, such as gold and silver in Virginia, and the later artisans and agriculturist alongside the development of slavery there, which brought about weak morals to the future character and laws of the future south. In contrast, New Englanders predominantly came due to their intellectual yearning, promoting “elements of order and morality.” Northerners were, therefore, more intellectual and able to create more progressive laws and social values which were able to construct the later values of freedom in law and society.
Additionally, Tocqueville illuminates the impact of religious freedom on the makeup of morals and government in the United States. Many sectarians came to America as a result of the yearning for a lack of combination of government and religion, resulting in a majority of middle-class citizens that came. This desire arose a yearning for religious freedom in the new world, and Tocqueville emphasizes how people searched for “ heaven in the world beyond, and well-being and liberty in this one.” People sacrificed everything for this desired notion, which further shaped the great value of freedom.
One reply on ““Origin of the Anglo-Americans…” ERA”
Elizabeth writes a wonderful summary of this Tocqueville text, she hits all the key points. While talking about America being one of the only countries watch its growth, allows us to see the formation of where laws and customs came about. Elizabeth shortly talks about the fact how Tocqueville “illuminates the impact of religious freedom on the makeup of morals and government in the United States.” America was supposed to be a country with no religion to take charge. However, the people who began to create the laws focused their opinions through their religious views, therefore laws were made to a certain custom. As Elizabeth mention, “people sacrificed everything for this desired notion,” however the sacrifice still continues in today’s world. By the government and those implementing the laws are only from their viewpoint.