In American democracy, majority rules but what prevents the voices of the few from being crushed? Using excerpts from Alexis de Tocqueville's writings, young historians explore cases where minority rights were trampled upon. Extension questions help scholars consider where this dangerous dynamic is in play in America today.

Concepts

democracy, american democracy, freedom of speech, primary source analysis, primary sources

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Create a debate on whether democracy is fair to the minority using the discussion questions included with the resource
• Use included materials to sharpen primary source reading skills

Classroom Considerations

• Lesson is second in the three-part series about the tyranny of the majority 

Pros

• Resource includes a second lesson for more advanced learners
• Answer key and vocabulary exercise make the lesson easy to use and adapt

Cons

• None

Common Core

CCRA.R.5