Alexis De Tocqueville Research Paper

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When you hear the name Alexis Charles Henri Clérel Viscount de Tocqueville you may not recognize it. However, this name is more important than you think. Alexis was born July 29th, 1805 in Paris, France and died April 16th, 1859 at the age of fifty three in Cannes, France. Alexis believed America brought the most advanced idea and example of equality in action. Alexis was worried that as the idea of individuality was becoming more popular the American citizens would assimilate and will become lost in the crowd. de Tocqueville helped shape our country's past by predicting modern politics. He wrote a very indepth anaylsis on his affirm belief that there was a democratic revolution that had been occurring for the past seven hundred years. Although …show more content…
Alexis was the son to Louise Madeleine le Peletier de Rosanbo and Hervé de Tocqueville. Alexis’ mother was a part of one of the most distinguished French families, she descended from Vauban and Chrétien-Guillaume Lamoignon de Malesherbes. As a child Alexis was home schooled by a tutor named Abbé Lesueur who Alexis called Bébé. Alexis was homeschooled by Abbé until he was in the eighth grade. For high school Alexis attended Lycée Fabert in Metz, France. For college Alexis went to the University of Paris. One of Alexis’ many influences was Charles Louis de Secondat Baron de la Brède et de Montesquieu. Montesquieu was a French lawyer and political philosopher. One of Montesquieu's many great ideas was the idea of separation of powers or the idea of branches of government. Branches of government are based widely on equality. The branches try to give equal power to both the government and the people. “Americans are so enamored of equality, they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.” Wrote Alexis. This quote is so full of intelligence and perception. Alexis showed that us Americans love everything to be equal and fair. In the Declaration of Independence it states “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” Equality among other things was a very topic to Alexis, but what he was even more intrigued by was …show more content…
Democracy in America was a book Alexis wrote after his nine month voyage to America. Democracy in America entails the democratic revolution and new ideas about freedom. Alexis’ insight about freedom foreshadowed the future to come. “Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free, but nothing is harder to learn how to use than freedom.” Wrote Alexis. He had a hard time bringing up his new ideas on American politics considering he had no special training in the government and was a foreigner. Although, challenging at some points these controversies didn't stop