1825-1850: The Role Of Social Reform In The United States
During the time period of 1825-1850, ideals of equality, liberty and pursuit of happiness that defined democrat were inculcated into the masses of America through a series of reform movements that emerged in the antebellum era. Based on the desire to make America a civilized, utopian society and religious revivals adequately expanded the democratic ideals by bettering the moral standard of common men, while movement among women and slaves tried to put principle of liberty on the table. Ranged from temperance, abolition, nativism to public schools and good living conditions, on some extent not all the reform movement pursuited the mean of democratic. While the reform in education and nativist appeared to be incomplete or opposed of the democratic
…show more content…
The Temperance movement began in 1826 as the alcohol was become increasingly widespread, affecting the efficiency of the labor. An 1846 cartoon entitled “The Drunkard Progress’ shows what a detrimental effect alcohol had on life of the common laborer. Likewise, the temperance reform was an effort to stop this abuse and to urge all people to give up the alcohol. Main law of 1851 was passed which banned the alcohol. The passing of this law not just protect women and children physically safe due to the decrease of abuse, it also appeared supported the democratic principle that every man was equal and productive in his own right, as long as the government protected from immoralities. Like the spirit of anti-alcohol movement, the evangelic movement helped expand democratic ideal by creating higher standard for all common men. As written by Charlers G. Finny, “When the churches awakened and reformed, the reformation and salvation of sinners will follow.” Finney further stated that “drunkard, harlot and infidel” could also participate in this higher standard of life for the common man if they reformed by the church. In Finny’s document, the democratic principle that all men are created equal clearly shows a sense of tolerance and acceptance. Holding on the principle of equality, during evangelical movement, churches were divided when they faced the slavery issue. Most churches joined the anti-slavery movement to heighten public awareness and to influence social political policy. It is democratic because they believed that slavery is a great national sin and also of the church. Such a reform, especially for women was able was provided a unique opportunity to enter the arena of public affairs. Base on the desire to create a more civilize society, both temperance and evangelical movement created a
The Temperance movement began in 1826 as the alcohol was become increasingly widespread, affecting the efficiency of the labor. An 1846 cartoon entitled “The Drunkard Progress’ shows what a detrimental effect alcohol had on life of the common laborer. Likewise, the temperance reform was an effort to stop this abuse and to urge all people to give up the alcohol. Main law of 1851 was passed which banned the alcohol. The passing of this law not just protect women and children physically safe due to the decrease of abuse, it also appeared supported the democratic principle that every man was equal and productive in his own right, as long as the government protected from immoralities. Like the spirit of anti-alcohol movement, the evangelic movement helped expand democratic ideal by creating higher standard for all common men. As written by Charlers G. Finny, “When the churches awakened and reformed, the reformation and salvation of sinners will follow.” Finney further stated that “drunkard, harlot and infidel” could also participate in this higher standard of life for the common man if they reformed by the church. In Finny’s document, the democratic principle that all men are created equal clearly shows a sense of tolerance and acceptance. Holding on the principle of equality, during evangelical movement, churches were divided when they faced the slavery issue. Most churches joined the anti-slavery movement to heighten public awareness and to influence social political policy. It is democratic because they believed that slavery is a great national sin and also of the church. Such a reform, especially for women was able was provided a unique opportunity to enter the arena of public affairs. Base on the desire to create a more civilize society, both temperance and evangelical movement created a