Democratic Ideals of 1825-50

Reform movements in the United States sought to expand democratic ideals from the quarter century time period of 1825-1850 also known as the Second Great Awakening. These democratic ideals included voting for everyone eighteen and older (with the exception of minors, women, insane, and criminals), freedom of expression, press, speech and religion, election of officials, property rights, free and public education, more than one political party, equal rights, equality before the law entitling a person to due process, separation of church and state, tolerance of diversity,

The validity of the statement, “Reform movements in the United States sought to expand democratic ideals” can be assessed regarding many reformations in the time period of 1825-1850 including the American temperance movement, the women’s rights movement, and the abolitionist reform. All of which very much expanded core democratic ideology, such as equality, liberty for all, and the pursuit of happiness. All these reforms share the qualities necessary to attempt to make the United States a more civilized, utopian society. Social reform was a necessity when it came to expanding democratic ideals.

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.

In the early nineteenth century, as a response to industrialism and new democratic ideas, the Second Great Awakening spread across the United States prompting a religious revival. As a result, many people became devoted to bringing about reform. One active group at the time was the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, or Shakers, led by Ann Lee, commonly known as Mother Ann Lee. They were known for their “hands to work and their hearts to God” mentality, and the ideals and practices of the Shakers caused them to be among the first in America to advocate pacifism, abolition of slavery, equality of the sexes, communal ownership of goods, and absolute celibacy. Thus, during the antebellum period, Mother Ann Lee reflected early

Throughout America's history, there have been numerous social and political movements that have had a profound and lasting impact on American culture. Movements such as the Civil Rights Movement and the Women's Suffrage Movement have influenced and shaped American ideals and beliefs. These movements were typically driven by a cause. From the 1890s to the 1920s, a period of social and political reform flourished in America. This was driven by the desire to eliminate corruption in the government. People wanted to have a positive impact on society and they wanted to speak up for what they believed in. This era was a pivotal turning point in the history of the United States. This era was known as the Progressive Era.

Reform movements from 1825-1855 in the U.S only somewhat expand democratic ideals as some were successful in their time such as the reform movements of Education and Prison reform as they expanded democratic ideals of equality. The Education reform movements were successful in expanding democratic ideals as it wanted to provide education for every human being (Doc 3.) The purpose of his speech was to convince the country to create a public education system. An example of this was, Oberlin college which was the first co-ed school that gave women the same curriculum as men. Oberlin college was the first of many colleges to start providing equal opportunities, and this led the way for women to get equal opportunities as men

During the 19th century, many reform movements occurred which helped shape America. The United States was still developing to achieve an ideal nation, in order to achieve it's goal there were many reforms. Reform movements occurred in many places, categories, and led by many magnificent figures. Reform movements ranged from women's rights, education, slavery, and many more. Despite the equality reforms such as abolition and women's suffrage, the majority of reforms carried out in the early 19th century focused on a utopian society, instead of democratic ideals. Therefore, the opinion that “all reform movements in America at this time sought to expand democratic ideals” is invalid specific to this time period.

“In baseball, Democracy shines its clearest. They only race that matters is the race to the the bag. The creed is the rule book. And color, merely something to distinguished one team’s uniform from another”- Ernie Harwell. Democratic ideals shaped America with its Common Democratic Ideals. American society still functions with these Common Ideals. Life, liberty and the Pursuit of happiness, The Common good, Justice, Equality, Diversity, Truth, Popular Sovereignty, Patriotism are all part of the Democratic ideals. If the United states did not have these ideas our country would not be a country.

Shakers were religious groups that formed to escape the corruption within society. The Shakers were the most successful of all of the religious communities. In the 1840’s Shaker communities stretched across the country with 5000 members. Shakers thought that men and women were equal and that God was both part male and female (Text 343). Within the Shaker religion, men and women lived in separate areas and ate i]n large dining halls. As the leader of the Shakers Ann Lee gave the Shakers a boost of members by adopting children, the

In the 1840’s-1860’s, there were four major reforms. These reforms were Abolition, Suffrage, Education and Immigration. Out of these four reforms, I believe the reform that created the most change was the Suffrage Movement. This is because the Suffrage Movement influenced the start of the other reforms. The reform that created the least amount of change was the Immigration Reform. I believe this because the immigration reform did not change America in a positive manner, and the Irish also attempted to speak out did not have a voice to the public.

Mother Ann Lee created the Shakers with belief that she was sent from God to be the leader. She created rules and laws allowing women to have more rights than the outside societies. She made it as though the male and female were equally as important to society. The doctrine of the group was basically Christian, but it contained a number of original features.

During the 19th Century there were many reform movements that took place. Reform movements were movements that were organized to reform or change the certain way of things. Reform movements did not always work but the ones that did greatly changed the way our nation operates today. There were three major reform movements that have altered the nation; the abolitionist movement, the temperance movement and the women 's suffrage movement. Without these movements, and the great leaders involved, many common rights would not exist today.

In 1774 Mother Ann Lee founded a utopian society in Europe, later to be known as Shakers (Shaker Presentation). Immediately after her founding she moved to America in order to escape religious persecution. Once in America the large religious market place gave the Shakers the opportunity to expand. By 1823 the religious movement had grown dramatical with 18 to 21 communities and 4000 to 5000 members.

This new wave of liberty was a direct product of President Lincoln abolishing slavery as well as the Civil Rights Act of 1875 (pbs.org). This act was a major step towards equality for America by declaring “it is essential to just government we recognize the equality of all men before the law, and hold that it is the duty of government in its dealings with the people to mete out equal and exact justice to all, of whatever nativity, race, color, or persuasion, religious or political; and it being the appropriate object of legislation to enact great fundamental principles into law”

From 1820 to 1860, American social reform movements were described as rigid perfectionism, impatience with compromise, and doubt of established social institutions. These qualities elucidate the extent of which these movements have succeeded or failed in achieving their objectives. John Brown was an extreme abolitionist who believed in the forceful overthrow of the slave system. Although John Brown’s aim and views on slavery were rational, his approach at stopping slavery was illogical and deranged as his mentality contributed to his raid.