African Assertions of Equality & Tocqueville's Links to American Democracy - Essay Sample

Introduction

Democracy refers to the act of having the liberty to choose what someone wants to do so long as the act doesn't affect others while freedom refers to the position of one having the opportunity to do what he/she believes is right. Democracy and freedom always work together in every sober society. This paper will address the two African assertions of equality, the declaration of sentiment and the Tocqueville on American democracy links to achieving democracy and freedom.

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Two African American Assertions of Equality

Equality refers to the sharing of different opportunities without discrimination. The equality in this context is gauged through comparison of slavery of Africans in the American countries and how religion and the laws are used to protect the slaves. Understanding the historical worthiness and biases, lessons learned and the relevancy of the primary source to the classwork.

History has always been used to create a better understanding of the past. The information shared as history has been used as a tool to impart knowledge to the scholars and allow one to criticize the past and give recommendations on what should be one to improve on the society (Alexis, 1972). The history clearly outlines how the African slaves were treated as to the doctrines of slavery and the doctrines of Christianity. Historically the two doctrines presided on the equality of slaves and how they were to be treated and care offered to them just as the cattle and the horses of their enslavers. Sometimes history becomes biased because of too much dwelling on one area to analyze. The analysis here is based on Christianity and the various beliefs and perceptions on slavery and this does not give culture an opportunity to be included during considerations.

Learning is always a continuous process that always involves gathering information and creating more knowledge. As a process, the information shared on the primary source directly expresses the rights and freedoms a slave used to have, and this gives the source greater relevance in learning the history of religion and how slavery was. It is through the letter of Benjamin to Thomas that a scholar can understand the greater impact of acceptance and admitting their race in a quest for freedom and democracy. Through the letter, the student can learn the various skills of facing reality and addressing the injustices within the society without fear.

Tocqueville on American Democracy

Understanding American democracy requires one to travel and do proper research on the available materials. American democracy is evident across the citizens, and each of them is regarded as equal regardless of the social status one has in society. Analyzing the Tocqueville traveling to America, historical worthiness, lessons learned, and the relevancy of the primary source to the classwork.

Analyzing the life and journey of Tocqueville. Tocqueville an aristocrat who originated from French during the early years of 1831 traveled to America with his companion with a mission to study the American prisons (Alexis, 1972). The objective of Tocqueville was to investigate American democracy. He was able to realize that the white Americans were divided into two groups namely the poor and the rich. Most blacks were enslaved and there was evidence of more equality of conditions in America as compared to France.

The historical worthiness of Tocqueville on American democracy was evident to the point that it outlined the weak and strong points of democracy. The research was worth it because it gives the learner the skills on how democracy is viewed and the perception the citizens of a nation have over democracy. The research helped to outline how citizens in a democratic nation benefit from the system. The study also has historical importance due to the presence of a comparison of how democracy and aristocracy defer in response to the way citizens behave.

The study has to learn the importance of students due to the clear outline of how democracy works. The research also gives the student an open mind o doing research on the various fields and what should be done once one gets an opportunity to study an area he/she can also explore more. The study allows the student to analyze between democracy and aristocracy and this builds the knowledge of the student on matters with the government and how one can carry out the different roles if allowed to serve as a leader.

The Declaration of Sentiments

Declaration of sentiments refers to the giving out liberty and contribution to the citizens to point out different acts based on opinions. The declaration of sentiments was done and press-ganged by Elizabeth Cady and the sentiments given out during the Woman's Rights Convention that was held Seneca in New York. The declaration of sentiments will help in the understanding of its historical importance, learning of lessons and getting the relevant information to the course.

The declaration of sentiments has historical importance to America. The declaration acts as a reference material that is used by learners to analyze and get the relevant information when drawing a declaration sentiment (Alexis, 1972). The sentiment allows the learner to appreciate each other because everyone is equal before the eyes of God. The sentiment also gives each citizen the duty to point out what they feel is evil or violating their rights. The sentiments also act as a reservoir to help the upcoming generation on learning the various injustices that happened to mankind and how women are viewed by men in society.

The learners can get information from the sentiments and apply it to the course. The sentiment is objected to pointing out the evils and the injustices of mankind. The pointing out helps the learner in giving suggestions and coming up with ideas that will give a solution to the societal problem that is being experienced. The sentiments also help the student to acquire more knowledge on what should be done when one is coming up with a sentiment that won't have more demerits than merits based on gender biases.

Conclusion

This paper has addressed two African assertions of equality, the declaration of sentiment and the Tocqueville on American democracy links to achieving democracy and freedom. African assertions of equality have great importance and contribution to the achievement of democracy and freedom and democracy. The declaration of sentiments allows people to learn on the prevailing injustices and this helps to improve the process of attaining democracy and freedom of the citizens. Tocqueville on American democracy gives people the knowledge on how one can explore more if allowed to be in an area for a task.

References

Alexis T., (1972). The Declaration of Sentiments. Democracy in America /1840/. (Vol. 2. New York, Vintage) p. 287.

Alexis T., (1972). Tocqueville on American Democracy. Democracy in America /1840/. (Vol. 2. New York, Vintage) p. 259.

Alexis T., (1972). Two African American Assertions of Equality. Massachusets Historical Society. Democracy in America /1840/. (Vol. 2. New York, Vintage) p. 188.