During the time period between 1825-1850, ideals of equality, liberty and the pursuit of happiness defined democracy and were inculcated into the masses of America through a series of reform movements that emerged in the antebellum era. These reforms were based on the desire to make America a civilized, utopian society. The main types of reforms in this era were social reforms, religious reforms, institutional reforms, and abolitionist reforms. The main social reform made was the temperance movement. It was also through local social reforms that a change in thought regarding democratic ideals changed and expanded greatly. Many religious revivals such as the Second Great Awakening adequately expanded the democratic ideals by installing better moral standards in common men. Institutional reforms that expanded democratic ideals ranged from public education, to the removal of corporal punishment, to better asylums for the sick. The two main abolitionist reforms were the abolition of slavery, and the women’s rights movement.…
In what ways did the Gary Indiana school system illustrate how schools were transformed and how was that transformation publicly justified during the progressive era?…
In fact, “the consumption levels of alcohol in the American republic were significant enough for many Americans to conclude that the nation faced a drinking problem.” (548) According to Rorabaugh, the historical circumstances along with previous economic developments led to the opportunity for increased drinking. However, the rapid changes regarding the society of antebellum America sparked interest in a wide variety of reforms. In fact, reformers hoped to “encourage temperance or even total abstinence from drinking.” (538) The temperance movement was an organized effort to limit and outlaw the consumption and production of alcohol in the United States. As the antebellum reform societies gained popularity, the reformers were motivated by humanitarian ideals in order create a more virtuous nation. As a result, the early nineteenth century was a period of immense change in the United States as Americans “began to take a new interest in religion.” (539) Overall, Rorabaugh explores the American society’s relationship with alcohol and analyzes how religious practices helped relieve social tensions and anxieties that contributed to alcohol…
The protestant revival movement that began in the 1790s in New England caused reforms in America. Between 1825 and 1850, the United States government made reforms that greatly increased the influence of democratic ideals: universal suffrage and individual rights. Such reforms included prisons, churches, women suffrage, temperance, and education.…
The 18th century in Europe was a dynamic center for changes in daily life. The prior centuries saw the decline in the social status of women and Renaissance ideals hoping to keep them in the home. It also was witness to the church’s dominion in education and the social gap between the privileged children who could afford an education and the mainly illiterate masses. The denial that childhood was a distinct period in a person’s life, the lack of hands-on parenting and concern for children, and the proclivity of wet nurses also were an integral part of how this sector of culture was viewed in this time period. However, in the 18th century, the education system experienced changes in patronage and attitudes toward children changed, while the…
As the Second Great Awakening sprung up in Antebellum America during the early 1800s, a time of new ideas and change came upon the nation. The religious revival promoted emotionalism in Americans, sparking a chain of social reforms. These reforms sought to shape the moralities of Americans and gain liberty for those in need of it--expanding democratic ideals. In political aspects, major reforms such as the abolition movement and the women's movement aspired to lawfully gain natural rights such as suffrage and civil rights. Economically, several reforms were rooted in hopes of achieving economic stability in American families. Furthermore, the ultimate goal of all these movements was to create a humanized and fair society.…
Between the years of 1825-1850, the United States went through the period known as the Age of Jackson. Although President Jackson only served eight years, he influenced great amounts of reform to happen. Across the country, political and social reform movements were prevalent. During the years of 1825-1850 many reforms were put into action, although some not immediately acted upon, they all had the underlying theme of expanding democratic ideals.…
The United States during the early decades of the nineteenth century sought to reform the United Staes and expand democratic ideas. There were many major reform movements that looked to expand democratic ideas, which include: establishing free (tax supported) schools, improving the treatment of the mentally ill, controlling or abolishing the sale of alcohol, gaining equal rights for women, and abolishing slavery. The reformers went out to “reform” the time period to greater the democratic ideals of the United States and make it a better place to live for the people, by the people.…
When you think about what has changed between now and the 1800’s there are endless possibilities to mention. Most of the time however these changes have been for the better. When you come across something that hasn’t changed much one can’t help but wonder why. The similarities between institutionalism now and in the 1800’s are eerily similar. “In the 1830’s jail was an all purpose solution for a lot of issues” (Campbell, 2014). Intentional or not I still feel like this is still the case. The people in prison who are confined in solitary either have mental issues, which caused them to end up in solitary confinement, or they made a bad decision causing them to end up in solitary. Whatever the primary mental state of the prisoner, the majority…
During the early-mid 19th century, many reform movements took place throughout the world, specifically in the United States. The main types of reform movements that took place were social, institutional, religious and abolitionist reforms. Many systems went through reformations, most of them putting emphasis on the idea of democracy. Social reforms such as a push for utopian societies tried to push values and morals on the dysfunctional American society, looking to make it a more democratic one. Abolitionist movements such as the movement for woman's rights and the abolishment of slavery all reinforced the American idea of equal treatment, just like institutional reforms in the public education and prison systems. Religious reforms also spawned the Second Great Awakening, which revived democratic ideals by setting better moral standards for society.…
Even though all reform movements from 1825-1850 did not directly promote democratic principles, several reform movements occurred which did attempt to create a better life for people, create a more democratic society through education, and extend civil rights to minority groups. The reform movement began with the Second Great Awakening. The Second Great Awakening was caused by people falling away from the faith and moving more towards Deism and Unitarianism. Deism became popular because the beliefs of Deism said that there was a supreme being who created the universe and people who could act morally. Deism also believed that all God did was create the universe and the people and didn't interfere with the peoples ever day life, like a clock worker. Unitarianism believed in one God and that there was no trinity. Unitarianism also believed that god is benevolent and bot angry. Preachers like Peter Cartwright, who was best known of the circuit preachers, and Charles Grandson Finney, who called for the end of slavery and alcohol, also contributed to the Second Great Awakening.…
In the south before, during, and after the reconstruction was a time for educational growth. Many states were just beginning to provide public education. The education system at the time was a shadow of the system that we know today during this era. The civil war brought the separation of races but also families. To distract from this the Radical Republicans stressed education during the reconstruction to avert the attention of the people from the war and racial issues.…
Today students are usually separated by age and skills when being placed in classes, grades, or schools. Usually this is normal and easy to accomplish with the space of classrooms that are put in schools. Unlike today, in the 1800s public schools only owned one room. Students of all ages attended that same classroom at the same time. Those who were of different in race and gender went the school.…
In American History, we are currently studying the concept of sectionalism. Sectionalism is division within a country based on regional beliefs and interests. In the early to mid 1800’s, sectionalism in America grew as slavery divided the nation. Slavery was ignored, compromised and argued about by the states until the conflict drove our country until the Civil War. Although regional differences are not as distinct these days, many issues are currently causing division among the states and people of our country. These issues lead to what our history class describes as “modern sectionalism.” One such issue is Gay Marriage.…
There are multiple reasons on why America is experiencing a second Gilded Age, but the epidemic of the educational systems is the most corrupted and is dragging America further into a Gilded Age. Public school is a tuition free education, that is available to everyone no matter your ethnic background or that's the goal. During the first Gilded Age not everyone was given the opportunity to receive education. Especially immigrants and those living in poverty, they were seen as useless because they wouldn't contribute to their process of corruption. Students nowadays are forced to wake up at an unreasonable time, go to and school around 7:30. DailyMail.co.uk states that a teenager’s brain is unable to function until 10:00 in the morning. Forcing students to show up at school early in the morning can result in depression. The school also has too many expectations for students. The teachers give hours of homework, want them to participate in afterschool activities, but also get the recommended nine hours of sleep. Students are forced into curriculum that they aren't interested in,…