Reform Movements

The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, marking the birth of United States. This day also marked the recognition of humans rights and for the times Americans fought so hard for their rights in the Revolutionary War. From then on, democratic America was ruled by the people and as time passed, democratic ideals grew and expanded. Nationalistic Americans worked hard to promote the idea of democracy and human rights. Reform movements had a major impact in expanding democratic ideals. It promoted democracy effectively throughout the nation. Between the years 1825-1850, reform movements sought to expand and emphasize democratic ideals in order to maintain a more equal society for all. The Second Great Awakening, led by Charles G. Finney, played an important role in the reform movements that expanded the idea of democracy. The period of religious revivalism was based on the idea of showing faith to God through good deeds in the society and moral rightness. The churches of the Second Great Awakening stressed the capability of people to make the world a better place. Charles Finney urged his listeners to take their salvation in their own hands and that salvation was available to anyone. Preaching styles of evangelists also changed- from preaching the greatness of God to connecting emotionally with the common people. This period of revivalism and philosophical motivation for reform started a chain of reform movements, such as utopian communities, moral reforms, education, temperance, abolition, and women’s rights, encouraging democratic ideals. (Doc B) In the years 1840-1850, numerous Utopian communities were created in order to test reform theories. Utopian communities emphasized industrialization, mutual support, cooperation, and spiritual improvement. In these social groups, sexuality was not an important matter; both men and women are equal among these societies. For example, the Rappites denounced sex, the Shakers had separate communities for