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Liberty - Revolutionary War Era
Alexis de Tocqueville describes how Liberty needs to be established and he says that, “Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.” This is powerful and it only fits that the core value of Liberty is connected with the American Revolution. This time for American was when we gained our Liberty and became one nation united. We achieved freedoms that no other nation had and we set the standard for other nations political systems as well with our new democracy style. -
Laissez-Faire - Industrial Revolution Era
Alexis de Tocqueville talks about Laissez-Faire like this, “Just as the left has to be more willing to question 'Government knows best,' the right has to rethink its laissez-faire attitude toward government.” Laissez-Faire affected economics during the Industrial Revolution because the people believed that it would maximize the economic growth and so everyone would benefit, including factory owners and their employees. The government didn't intervene with business and that was key for success. -
Egalitarianism - Post Civil War Era
Alexis de Tocqueville talks about Egalitarianism like this, “Grant me thirty years of equal division of inheritances and a free press, and I will provide you with a republic.” This is very important and connects very well with the post civil war era where African Americans were granted equal rights. The United States became a more unified nation as everyone was given equal citizenship. There was no more slavery within the country and an equal voice in democracy was to given to all people. -
Populism - Progressive Era
De Tocqueville talks about Populism by saying this “Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self." This quote is saying that people need to be concerned about themselves and not about the public. This connects well with the Progressive Era because many people were a part of movements that were seeking to change rights and laws that concerned themselves. Things like the Women's movement and labor unions were making a change because of individuals. -
Individualism - Civil Rights Era
Alexis de Tocqueville says in his book that, “In the United States, the majority undertakes to supply a multitude of ready-made opinions for the use of individuals, who are thus relieved from the necessity of forming opinions of their own.” This quote fits well with the the Civil Rights Era because a lot of people got behind the Civil Rights movement and they were able to make a difference. There were also many new ideas around in the 1960s and many people were able to become unique individuals.
