“Reform movements in the United States sought to expand democratic ideals”

What is the connection between the ‘’democratic spirit’’ of the American culture in the nineteenth century and the appeal of insurgent religious groups of the Second great awakening, according to Nathan Hatch’s essay? What role did the American Revolution play in growing appeal to these groups during the awakening, according to the essay?

‘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.’

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.

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).

Between the years 1825 and 1850, the US underwent a series of social and political reforms which attempted to democratize American life. The Age of Jackson was a time of tremendous reform with American society and politics. Andrew Jackson’s position as president lasted from 1829-1837, therefore the fact that many writers and historians have attached his name to the time period between 1820 and 1850 indicates the high importance of his spirit of the reform. During this period, known as Jacksonian Democracy, social and political reform movements and equal rights dominated the American landscape. Many of these reforms were supported by religious ideals over democratic system, but in this period the democratic ideals in America came to greater results than ever before.

Ultimately, the goal of reformation was to achieve democratic perfection; a system of communalism in which there were no inequalities nor social evils to speak of (Doc. F). The idea of utopian socialism, fostered by the British reformer Robert Owen, preached such ideals, and lead to the attempt of several utopian societies. Such reform attempts were not always met with warm welcome, however, as some argued their contempt and complete disregard for the accomplishments of the past thanks to the existing order (Doc. G).

While attempting to change certain groups’ rights was crucial, an almost equally pressing issue of reform at the time was society. Across the country, increasing the morality and appearance of United States citizens had suddenly become a much more pressing issue, and various reform assemblies, and especially the church, struggled to improve society in ways they thought helpful. Due to the mass urbanization occurring so rapidly,

The 1820’s and 1830’s were decades full of events that accentuated the diversity of ideas and views on many topics. For instance, the Second Great Awakening brought forward many competing views on religion, some more radical than others. The many denominations that sprouted from this change were a direct result of the rise in the American idea of personal freedom and liberty, something that the Democratic Jacksonians viewed themselves as the non-disputable champions of. Although there were many negative impacts on individual freedom over the time the Jacksonian Democrats held power in the fledgling government, the Jacksonian’s view of themselves as the defenders of democracy and the Constitution is to a great extent misplaced because of their

Throughout the years 1825-1850, reformers in America sought change and worked to get it. Through the formation of new groups, propaganda, and books, American reformers took to supporting their own cause. America saw many movements that sought to provide positive reformation in areas such as temperance, slavery, government, penitentiary, and women’s suffrage; and though not all of these movements were immediately successful, they were able to expand upon democratic ideals. One reform movement that sought change during this time period were those who believed in temperance. Alcohol had become very popular since the colonization of America, but in the early 1820s, reformers began to attack drunkenness as a corruption to society.

America was experiencing a time of change throughout the nineteenth century. Citizens grew dissatisfied by the morals and customs within their country and began to change their way of life. Among these changes was the battle against alcohol. People believed that it was poisoning their society, and so the Temperance reform was born. The Temperance Movement positively influenced America by encouraging participation in various organizations, providing women with a voice in society, and allowing for the creation of other reform movements.

The advent of the civil rights and women’s movements thus became part of the third reform

The privately organized American (Know-Nothing) movement, appeared in the Northeast on the 1840’s, and strived to preserve past ideals and the rights of the people against the danger caused by Catholics and immigrants (Cole, n.d). As the the time passed and after plenty of achievements in the 1850’s the Know-Nothings lost their ideals, fell victim to party politics, and shortly disappeared from the place, but not until they had assisted with developing a up to date political party system. Removing the image of being chuvanist or extremist, the Know-Nothings are now apart of American political history prior to the Civil War.

"United States can be seen as the first liberal democracy. The United States Constitution, adopted in 1788, provided for an elected government and protected civil rights and liberties. On the American frontier, democracy became a way of life, with widespread social, economic and political equality. The system gradually evolved, from Jeffersonian Democracy or the First Party System to Jacksonian Democracy or the Second Party System and later to the Third Party System. In Reconstruction after the Civil War (late 1860s) the newly freed slaves became citizens, and they were given the vote as well." (Web, 1)

Democracy in the United States became prominent in the early to mid 19th century. Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the United States, was inaugurated in 1829 and was best known as the person who mainstreamed democracy in America. Because he came from a humble background, he was the “genuine common man.” (Foner, pg. 303) He claimed he recognized the needs of the people and spoke on behalf of the majority [farmers, laborers]. However, critics of Jackson and democracy called him “King Andrew I” because of his apparent abuse of presidential power [vetoing]. These critics believed he favored the majority so much that it violated the U.S. constitution, and they stated he was straying too far away from the plan originally set for the

A period of nearly 30 years are associated with the Presidency of Jefferson, his successors and his ‘democracy’ from 1801 until Andrew Jackson’s election in 1828. A vision of a united, equal America, limited government and natural aristocracy ruled the Jeffersonian style of democracy. However, with the election of Andrew Jackson in 1828, a new form of democracy, differentiating in multiply ways to the Jeffersonian America, engulfed the American political and social scene. Jacksonian Democracy, a dream of the common man, the use of the Presidential veto, and Anglo-Saxonism as well other elements dominated this form of democracy and era. Despite this, many