Document A – Statement by Thomas Jefferson (1787)

“A democracy is nothing more than mob rule where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty nine. All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will be rightful must be reasonable, that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.”

1) What should be protected and what will happen if it is not protected?

Rights of minorities must be protected. If they aren't we'll have mob rule.

Thank you Ms. Sue :)

You're welcome, Lauren.

According to Thomas Jefferson in his statement, what should be protected is the equal rights of the minority. He emphasizes that in a democracy, the will of the majority prevails, but it must be reasonable and not oppressive towards the minority.

If the equal rights of the minority are not protected, it could lead to oppression. Jefferson suggests that a democracy can easily turn into mob rule, where the majority takes away the rights of the minority. This would result in an unjust society where the minority is subjected to the whims of the majority, without any legal or societal protection for their rights.