Reform Movements--

During the years of 1825 to 1850, various reform movements were taking place in America. Much of the reform dealt with democratic ideals. America was beginning to care about its citizens, even the mentally insane ones. Elitists sought utopian societies free from corruption. The quest for temperance and better education began. Many different reform movements were taking place in America.

One of the most prominent movements was women's rights. The women of America united in Seneca Falls on August 2, 1848 in order to draft their version of the Declaration of Independence. In their Declaration, they blamed the man (instead of the king) for their lack of independence, noting that the laws "give man the power to chastise and imprison his wife." Elizabeth Cady Stanton, among other women, declared that "we hold these truths to be self-evident... that all men and women are created equal." They felt that the government was unfair and spoke out against it. Since one of the democratic ideals is equality, one can see that the women's movement was indeed a democratic movement. (Interestingly enough, some women protested the women's movement, claiming that the female reformers had crossed the line.)

Temperance also became an issue of reform. Many Americans felt that alcohol led people to a life of poverty, disease and drunken brawls. Prohibitionists who believed alcohol was being abused sought bans on the "Devil's Rum." Maine became one of the first states to prohibit alcohol. In addition, reformed education became important. Horace Mann became a leading reformer where education was concerned. The common people of America were finally able to receive an education. Some of the first textbooks taught lessons of morality, such as William McGuffey's Reader. (Of course, slaves and black people were still unable to receive an education.) Improved education for Americans and heightened alcohol awareness were ideas rooted in democracy, thus, these movements were democratic as well.

Some Americans desired to live in a utopian society free from corruption. Such societies became well-known communities in which reform was sought from within. These utopias, such as the Shakers, Brook Farm and Oneida communities, sought educational reform and taught lessons of justice and love, replacing a system of "selfish competition" with "brotherly cooperation." Utopia, a desired democratic goal, became an achievement with these "perfect world" communities built in trust and kindness. Also, care for the insane was improved. Dorothea Dix, a leading reformer, opened the eyes of America with her shocking reports of life for the mentally insane. Through her reports, mental institutions were opened, and insane people were no longer hid away as an embarrassing family secret. Criminal institutions were also improved, allowing criminals to be reformed so as not to succumb to the temptation of crime any longer. Americans were starting to care about allmembers of their society, even the insane and juvenile ones. Therefore, universal care, a democratic idea, was present in these movements as well.

In conclusion, many reform movements took place in America. These movements dealt with democratic ideas and sought to reform the lives of all Americans. America was becoming a nation of democracy, a nation concerned with constant improvement of all kinds for all people.

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