Tocqueville has a lot of interesting assertions regarding the three races that existed early on in America: the white man, the African American, and the Indian or the native American. Tocqueville draws extensively upon the idea that he mentions in prior sections of Democracy in America regarding the system of castes and classes that people are put in and the effect it has on them. Tocqueville explains how the three different races are almost hostile toward one another due to insurmountable barriers that have been raised between the groups, raising the white race above the other for reasons that Tocqueville feels are education and law. Tocqueville has an excellent foresight here considering education and law are still two factors that separate groups of people in modern America. Interestingly enough, the section mentions that Tocqueville’s analysis is the “probably future condition” of the United States. Although all of the races are on the same soil, Tocqueville asserts that they do not mix or unite with one another, and they fulfil their own unique destinies as separate races. Tocqueville also asserts that although the races are separated, they begin to forget about their old country, since a different language and different customs are forced upon all of the races. Tocqueville points out that African Americans were so isolated between two races since they are “sold by the one, repulsed by the other”. Overall, Tocqueville’s analysis of early American society is very wise and applicable to society today.
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3 replies on ““The Present and Probably Future Condition of the Three Races that Inhabit the Territory of the United States” reaction”
I agree with your analysis of Tocqueville’s position on the three races in Early America and their social status. It is interesting to think about how races in current day America are still affected by education and law. Affirmative action was put in a place, but you can’t get rid of the past and things get passed down so discrimination will exist and so as the thought that the white race is superior to others. Since they were always be the notion that the white race is superior, what is there to do to make it as fair as possible for the other races so everyone can coexist and fulfill their lives to fullest in their desire?
I agree with your analysis of Tocqueville’s position on the three races in Early America and their social status. It is interesting to think about how races in current day America are still affected by education and law. Affirmative action was put in a place to give equal opportunities, but you can’t get rid of the past because things get passed down so discrimination will still exist and so as the thought that the white race is superior to others. Since they were always be the notion that the white race is superior, what is there to do to make it as fair as possible for the other races so everyone can coexist and fulfill their lives to fullest in their desire?
I agree with your analysis of Tocqueville’s position on the three races in Early America and their social status. It is interesting to think about how races in current day America are still affected by education and law. Affirmative action was put in a place to give equal opportunities to groups that had been treated unfairly, but it won’t work because you can’t get rid of the past since things get passed down so discrimination will still exist and so as the thought that the white race is superior to others. Since they were always be the notion that the white race is superior, what is there to do to make it as fair as possible for the other races so everyone can coexist and fulfill their lives to fullest in their desire?