Tocqueville opens up the first chapter by illuminating the environment in the continent, breaking it up into two regions: the north and the south. He describes each region profoundly, allowing the reader to make visualizations of the territory. In the north, there are great lakes and rivers. In the south, there are two rows of mountains the Allegheny and the Rockies. And, in between them there is the beautiful Mississippi River. He talks about the river in depth, explaining its importance literally and figuratively. Tocqueville explains how the river distributes good and evil– how the farther you get from the landmark the worse the vegetation and the soil is. He concludes by labeling it as the most sufficient and wonderful setting created by God for mankind. He explains the limited and minimal vegetation and environment east of the river, emphasizing the worth of the west.
Tocqueville begins to describe the natives of the land and describes them as ignorant of riches and independent. They are able to manage their emotions– they are calm in peace and can be brutal during battle.
Tocqueville concludes by mentioning that the “Indians occupied [it] without possessing it”. He says that they just roamed it but never made it there own which arguably shows Tocqueville’s prejudice against them. Does Tocqueville think they don’t have the ability to make the land their own? What does it say about his perspective?