Using Letters from an American Farmer and Notes on the State

question 60

Essay

Using Letters from an American Farmer and Notes on the State of Virginia, discuss the reach of American citizenship. What did it take to be free and to have liberties in the new nation? According to Crèvecoeur and Jefferson, would there ever be a time when America might be a melting pot of more than just white Europeans?

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Definitions:

Urban-Growth Machine

A theory suggesting urban development, and economic growth are driven by a coalition of interest groups who all benefit from continuous expansion.

Gentrification

The process by which higher income or social class groups enter and renovate urban neighborhoods, often leading to displacement of lower-income residents and changes in the area's character.

Working-Class

The social group comprising people employed in lower tier jobs, often involving manual labor or skilled trades, traditionally lacking significant economic or social capital.

Inner City

The areas close to the commercial and economic centers of a city, often characterized by high population density, aged housing, and sometimes socioeconomic challenges.