Question

According to Tocqueville, were Americans during this time optimistic or pessimistic about the future

Answer 1

American citizens are well known by their optimism, and it was not an exception during Alexis de Tocquevill’s time. He was a French observer of American life in the 19th century and according to his views on Americans on those days, quote: “they have all a lively faith in the perfectibility of man [...].They all consider society as a body in a state of improvement.” In opposition to the rest of the world, enthusiasm, energy,  and confidence in their country’s future characterized American citizens.

Quote:  “Most Americans seem to believe that the future can be better and that they are responsible for doing their best to make it that way.”