Analysis Of The Reform Movements Of 1825-1850

While some citizens of the United States, between 1825 and 1850, believed that reform was foolish and that the nation should stick to its old conduct, reformists in this time period still sought to make the United States a more ideally democratic nation. This was an age of nationalism and pride, and where there was pride in one’s country, there was the aspiration to improve one’s country even further. Many new reformist and abolitionist groups began to form, all attempting to change aspects of the United States that the respective groups thought to be unfair or unjust. Some groups, such as lower and middle class women and immigrants, sought to improve rights within the county, while other reformers aspired to change the American education

America was founded on the principals on “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Declaration of Independence) with the promise that “all men are created equal” (Ibid) granted irrefutable rights by God. However, the same lawmaking men that wrote these words were the same men who could have instituted changes at the founding of this country. However, with monetary incentives and political greed as motivating factors they chose to continue with the standing conditions. Post American Revolution, there was a growing Women’s Suffrage movement in the early 1800’s. The Revolution itself was a battle cry for democracy and the promise that there

The statement “Reform movements in the United States sought to expand democratic ideals” is proven valid in context to every reform in the time period 1825-1850 except the naturalization act, The only movement in that period contradicting democratic ideals. Besides this act, every other act displayed grand interest in civilizing the United States and emphasizing equality and liberty for all, the core democratic ideals. The nation eventually picked up and expanded all of these, but only after the effect of these reforms took their toll

Between the years 1825 and 1850, the US underwent a series of social and political reforms which attempted to democratize American life. Reform movements during this period of Jacksonian Democracy attempted to dissolve disunity in the social ladder and pushed for equal rights among all citizens. Stemming from the Second Great Awakening in the early 19th century, many of these reforms were backed by religious ideals over democratic principles. At the forefront of the cause, however, was the hope for a more democratic system in which there was not only popular sovereignty, but a sense of social leveling.

The United States of America experienced several reform movements from 1825 to 1850. The reformers sought to improve religion, rehabilitation of criminals and mental patients, education, slavery, and women’s rights. Each demonstrated democratic ideals to the extent that the reformers sought to incorporate the values of liberty and equality into their reform movements to improve the quality of life but did so at the expense and dismay of others.

‘Reform movements in the United States sought to expand democratic ideals. Assess the validity of this statement with specific reference to the years 1825-1850.’

Multiple voices in the United States called for the betterment in the ability for the people to be self-governed – which they achieved to an extent, even when limited by the failure to fully honor and take advantage of the reforms they passed. Blacks received the right to vote after the civil war, though this success was limited by the fact they were still not treated as equals (Document I). However women were furious their suffrage was not included in the amendments; the fury led to a long and hard campaign for their rights. They felt cheated that the government of the United States was sympathetic with people around the world who weren’t self-governed, but turned a blind eye to the fact that significant number of their own citizens could not vote either (Document H). Through unions and associations, marches on the capitol and works of literature – despite the reluctance to grant them their rights in the governmental branches – they work of the reformer eventually resulted in the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, the right for women to vote. A limitation in the eyes of the reformers to this success was the lack of complete enthusiasm for women’s suffrage by women, and the lack of a drastic change in the government despite their argument the addition of women to the ballots would make politics less corrupt. Another issue that campaigned for the

“Reform movements in the United States sought to expand democratic ideals.” Assess the validity of this statement with specific reference to the years 1825 – 1850.

Democratic ideals have proven elusive throughout history, and are oftentimes only gained through bloodshed, as shown by the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. While some opposed social reform for fear of tearing down entire social structures (G) antebellum reformers were still able to push for, if not fully gain, many democratic ideals between John Quincy Adams’ election and 1850, especially with suffrage (I), abolition (C), and with education (A and E).

During Andrew Jackson’s term as president, many people seemed to be more involved in wanting to change people’s lives and equalize politics. Jackson believed that a common man should have the right to have a voice in democracy. (Grubb) Therefore, once Jackson was elected president people began focusing on the crisis in the American society. Several reformers stated their perspectives on different things that America can improve on whether it was about abolition, mental health care, education, religious reform, or women’s rights.

Throughout history, political, social, and economical issues have erupted and caused society to reform. These reform movements are created in order for the people of America to have the ability to resolve the issues they see in their communities. Some of the movements that have been most prominent in the united States during the early 19th century are the Women’s Reform Movement, the Prison Reform and the Education reform. All of these developments allowed awareness to be created about the problems that everyday citizens were experiencing and how they were going those change problems into resolutions.

The democratization of American society that started in 1820s has led to a significant change of relations between government and people. These changes include growing equality of opportunities for white men and possibility for people to influence political processes taking place in the US. While people gained new rights and chances to start another life, government was, on the one hand, set under the growing pressure of society, and on the other hand, could be constructed by people.

The first colonists blamed mental illness on witchcraft and demonic possession. The mentally ill were often imprisoned or sent to poorhouses. If they didn’t go to one of those they were left untreated at their home. Conditions in the prisons were awful. In 1841, a lady named Dorothea Dix volunteered to teach a Sunday-school class for the female inmates. She was outraged with the conditions of the prisons that she witnessed. Dix then went on to be a renowned advocate for the mentally ill. She urged more humane treatment-based care than what was given to the mentally ill in the prisons. In 1847, she urged that the Illinois legislature to provide an appropriate

The idea of democratization led to the Second Great Awakening, a Protestant religious revival during the early 19th century in the United States that took place in the 1790s and to the 1800s. It also encouraged many influential writers such as Henry David Thoreau, who wrote “Civil Disobedience.” This popular piece inspired others to fight for what you believe in even if it is not lawful because Mann thought that our conscience is of utmost importance. In addition, democratization has also changed ideals. For example, women have been seen as child bearers and housewives for a long time. Due to the enlightenment of new ideas, women have realized their self worth and have continuously fought for the rights that have been deprived from them for so long.

Dorothea Lynde Dix was salient to the development of both the Reform and Civil War Eras that she lived during, and to the overall United States. Moreover, Dorothea Dix had minor, but crucial, contributions to the education of children during her early years, which would help her effort in creating different perspective and establishing institutions for the mentally ill. Her onerous efforts even required her to plead to the State Legislative body, which was essential in achieving her goals for the mentally ill. In addition, Dix contributed to the Civil War when she was appointed superintendent of nurses for the Union army. Dix’s action would leave a permanent mark to the character of the United States when she helped form institutions for the mentally ill and wrote the “Bill of the Benefit of the Indigent Insane.”