DIRECTIONS: Read the passage. Then answer the questions. Use
textual evidence to support your answers.
It is true that the powers of Europe may carry on maritime wars with the Union; but there is
always greater facility and less danger in supporting a maritime than a continental war.
Maritime warfare only requires one species of effort. A commercial people which consents to
furnish its government with the necessary funds, is sure to possess a fleet. And it is far easier to
induce a nation to part with its money, almost unconsciously, than to reconcile it to sacrifices of
men and personal efforts. Moreover, defeat by sea rarely compromises the existence or
independence of the people which endures it. As for continental wars, it is evident that the
nations of Europe cannot be formidable in this way to the American Union. It would be very
difficult to transport and maintain in America more than 25,000 soldiers; an army which may be
considered to represent a nation of about 2,000,000 of men. The most populous nation of
Europe contending in this way against the Union, is in the position of a nation of 2,000,000 of
inhabitants at war with one of 12,000,000. Add to this, that America has all its resources within
reach, whilst the European is at 4,000 miles distance from his; and that the immensity of the
American continent would of itself present an insurmountable obstacle to its conquest.
From Democracy in America by Alexis DeTocqueville
1. Briefly summarize the main idea of the text.
2. What evidence in the text supports your analysis?
