Question

In his famed book about his tour through America, Democracy in America, Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville was most impressed by

a. the persistence of slavery in America

b. the roughhewn character of President Andrew Jackson

c. the nation's bustling cities and commercial centers

d. America's emerging industrialization.

e. the general equality of the American people.

Answer 1

Alexis de Tocqueville's most significant impression of American democracy during his visit was the general equality of the American people and their spirit of participatory democracy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Alexis de Tocqueville, a French historian and political thinker, visited the United States in the 1830s to study American prison reforms but ended up providing one of the most insightful analyses of American democracy. In his seminal work, Democracy in America, Tocqueville was most impressed by the general equality of the American people. Despite recognizing the existence of slavery and the potential for 'the tyranny of the majority,' Tocqueville marveled at the spirit of democracy pervading American life, especially noting how Americans organized into voluntary associations to address community issues and take care of one another. This observation highlighted a level of participatory democracy and civil society engagement that was less common in Europe.