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. During the years of 1825-1850 reform movements in the United States sought to expand democratic ideals through religious reformation during the Second Great Awakening, reformations on human rights as in the abolition of slavery or the womans movement, and changing political views like the expansion of voting rights. In the Age of Reform one of the first practical aspects of improvement was creating the House of Refuge which segregated youthful offenders from more hardened older criminals. This is found in document A. Prior to this reform, these children were not benefiting from incarceration.
In the early 1800s the sudden onset of the Second Great Awakening influenced many reform movements, inspiring people to seek personal salvation and improve their lives as well as the lives of those they considered less fortunate. The Second Great Awakening launched a variety of reform movements across the country in an attempt to perfect the democratic society. Americans who participated in the Second Great Awakening considered America “youthful” and thought that they could perfect their surroundings and help those in need. The Awakening called on followers to prove their faith by helping those less fortunate than themselves by spreading their ideals. Two examples of the widespread influence of the Second Great Awakening are the creation of utopian societies and the temperance movement.
Eugenics has historically been tainted with "scientific" racism. By the mid-20th century eugenics had fallen into disfavor, because many associated eugenics with Nazi abuses, such as enforced racial hygiene, human experimentation, and the extermination of "undesired" population groups. Margaret Sanger commenced the birth control movement during the 1920’s and there has been great controversy over her motives for beginning this movement. Some believed that she promoted birth control as a woman’s rights advocate. However, several people disagreed with Margaret
Questioning authority can have a major effect on society, and can change it for the better. Although it is sometimes easier to just follow convention, the questioning of authority can have powerful repercussions, evident in the Declaration of independence, the Magna Carta and the Women’s Suffrage Movement. The Declaration of Independence shows that our founding fathers were frustrated with the English Monarchy, as the monarchy was unfairly taxing them and housing English troops against their will. The founding fathers could have just waited for the taxes to blow over, but they believed that if they questioned the authority of King George III, it would make the American society stronger and better. The Declaration of Independence showed that
Womens rights reformations were also called, due to the fact that women had very little rights, and were certainly not considered equal to men. Finally, institutional reformations were demanded to reconstruct more suitable institutions for citizens, to replace the rather vulgar structures they were accomodated to. Therefore, it is indeed valid to conclude that reform movements in the U.S. sought to expand democratic ideals. During the early decades of the 19th century, the Second Great Awakening struck. A hurricane of religious revivals swept through the United States, mostly to counteract the rationalistic ideas of early Calvinists, who believed only a select few could be saved.
Many of the political reforms of the state governments were consolidated by the federal government, with 17th amendment permitting direct election of senators and the 19th amendment instigating female activist movements. Spurred by the investigative reports of muckrakers like Ida Tarbell and Upton Sinclair, Progressive presidents set out on a crusade of trust-busting and consumer protection. Under Theodore Roosevelt, the Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act answered questions raised in The Jungle, concerned about health violations and unsanitary practices in the meatpacking industry. The powers of the International Commerce Commission were strengthened, and where the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 fell short, a revised and improved Clayton Antitrust Act fell into place. The graduated income tax that the Populists had so desperately fought for was enacted with the 16th Amendment under William Taft as well as the Underwood Tariff under Woodrow Wilson.
In the first half of the 19th century, the American cultural and intellectual community contributed to the development of a distinctive American national consciousness. The emerge of transcendentalism in American about nature and men began to arise in literature which allowed encouragements of optimism and new ideas; people also started questioning society about the rights of slavery and role of women, which was known as abolitionism and the Feminist Movement, they all served as examples to encourage and discourage Americans in identifying themselves in the 1800s. Transcendentalism arose in American in the 1830s and 1840s; particularly encourage the idea between men and nature, and the ideal of individualism. Transcendentalists believed
The scientist that promoted Social Darwinism used fear of diversity to further their theories such as eugenics. Herbert Spencer coined the term “survival of the fittest” to argue for natural selection in society (Ruswick, lecture 20). There is also the fear of the “swamping of our paint pot” as stated by Fleeming Jenkin (Ruswick, lecture 19). The scientists also promoted the enthusiasm of the public to confirm their social situations. There were changes in the class system in America with reconstruction and people were able to use social Darwinism to back up their claims of superiority to other classes and races.
Many educated women began applying their skills to needed social reforms. • Women and Reform- The participation of educated women often strengthened existing reform groups and provided leadership for new ones. They used social housekeeping and other forms of pressure to influence legislation The impacts of Theodore Roosevelt on the Progressive Movements • Roosevelt decided to use his powers to give Americans a “Square Deal” to protect the public interest. He focused his domestic efforts on regulating big business, helping organized labor, protecting consumers, and conserving the nation’s already-dwindling natural resources. • Roosevelt began by launching a campaign to tackle monopolistic trusts that hurt consumers.
PROGRESSIVE ERA (1890-1920) I SOURCE OF PROGRESSIVE ERA The Progressive Era in the United States was a period of social activism and reform that flourished from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. The main goal of the Progressive movement was purification of government. Progressivism became an alternative to the traditional conservative response of the government to the social and economic issues. The cause of these issues and source of the progressive movement was essentially industrialization. Industrialization affected: Unemployment Waste of resources and pollution Abuse of corporate power Influx of immigrants These elements resulted in magnified problems of poverty, disease, crime corruption, and depression