The Modern Identity Of The United States Of America

The modern identity of the United States of America is predicated on the notion that â€Å"all men are created equal.† However, behind the idealism of aphorisms such as these found in America’s founding documents exists the truth of the American situation: that â€Å"equality† has exceptions. In the eyes of Thomas Jefferson and other framers, â€Å"all men† were white landowners. The dichotomy of equality for â€Å"all men† and the third estate was a feature of democracy in America for centuries and a defining characteristic of the American South in particular. The belief in race based dichotomy was perpetuated by the landed gentry of the South, the political elite, to the masses, establishing the rise of a conservative base in the latter half of nineteenth century which hindered black civil rights for decades and defines the enduring qualities of the Southern political ethos to this day. Alexis de Tocqueville, in his book Democracy in America, states that while the â€Å"[settlers] found themselves in analogous situations...they governed themselves on different principles.† In the settlement of the Southern colonies of North America in the 1600s, an aristocratic society began develop from the cultivation of crops. Land formed the basis of the aristocracy, which was supported by privilege from birthright and inheritance (Serow). As plantations began to develop, their owners became the upper echelon of Southern society, around which the majority of political activity was centered. Powerful voicesShow MoreRelatedOverseas Chinese and Chinese People Essay1615 Words   |  7 PagesAmerican-Chinese America is a nation consisting of people from different areas with multiple cultures. As a result, lots of Americans have their ancestors in other countries. Even though they are called â€Å"Americans†, they have a special identity, that is, hyphenated Americans actually. 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