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

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."