Reform Movements
Gianna DeMase
Between the years 1825 and 1850, the United States was undergoing a series of reform movements. At the same time, America was rapidly growing and diversifying. Movements were designed to adapt to the new, bigger nation. They inspired the creation of new institutions as well. Americans had different feelings about their expanding nation. Some welcomed the changes, excited about the growth. Others became worried about the future of America. The reform movements came as a result of these different feelings. On the surface, the purpose of reforms was equal treatment for all. While many did attempt to democratize American life, some had other goals as well. Reforms also sought romanticism. It was a reaction against tradition and characterized by an optimistic faith in human nature. There began an effort to unleash the good spirit that everyone was believed to have. Contradictory to romanticism, the reforms also aimed for order and control, to preserve traditional values and institutions. Many of these were feared to be in danger because our society was changing so quickly. Those who were unsure about the expansion often wished for simpler times. The Second Great Awakening brought many social and political changes. It also initiated reform movements. Many of them were backed by religion as well as democracy. The churches have been revived and they called on people to show their faith by acting morally. They wanted to awaken and convert sinners so that they might receive salvation. Charles G. Finney believed that when the churches were reformed, sinners, harlots, drunkards and infidels would be awakened and inspired to act with moral correctness in society. Reformers were far more numerous and influential in the North than in the South. Nonetheless, whatever the impulse was, many different groups mobilized throughout the nation to bring about reform.
One group known as the transcendentalists, and their visions of a utopian society embodied
Between the years 1825 and 1850, the United States was undergoing a series of reform movements. At the same time, America was rapidly growing and diversifying. Movements were designed to adapt to the new, bigger nation. They inspired the creation of new institutions as well. Americans had different feelings about their expanding nation. Some welcomed the changes, excited about the growth. Others became worried about the future of America. The reform movements came as a result of these different feelings. On the surface, the purpose of reforms was equal treatment for all. While many did attempt to democratize American life, some had other goals as well. Reforms also sought romanticism. It was a reaction against tradition and characterized by an optimistic faith in human nature. There began an effort to unleash the good spirit that everyone was believed to have. Contradictory to romanticism, the reforms also aimed for order and control, to preserve traditional values and institutions. Many of these were feared to be in danger because our society was changing so quickly. Those who were unsure about the expansion often wished for simpler times. The Second Great Awakening brought many social and political changes. It also initiated reform movements. Many of them were backed by religion as well as democracy. The churches have been revived and they called on people to show their faith by acting morally. They wanted to awaken and convert sinners so that they might receive salvation. Charles G. Finney believed that when the churches were reformed, sinners, harlots, drunkards and infidels would be awakened and inspired to act with moral correctness in society. Reformers were far more numerous and influential in the North than in the South. Nonetheless, whatever the impulse was, many different groups mobilized throughout the nation to bring about reform.
One group known as the transcendentalists, and their visions of a utopian society embodied