Dbq Reform

Prior to 1825, many people living in the United States were denied basic rights due to their race, sex, religion, and social status, among others. These prejudices towards groups of people who were considered different led many to engage on a mission of reform. As the country became more stable politically, more concentration was placed on furthering the quality of life for all American citizens. As the reform movements became more popular, so too did they become more frequent, numerous and ranging in subject. Various issues, such as slavery, religion, women's rights, immigration, and temperance, controlled the social setting of 1825-1850. Through these reform movements, democratic ideals spread throughout the United States, which, in turn, lead to a more democratic way of life.

Women maintain a strong foothold in the beginnings of social reform. Through reform movements in the churches, like that mentioned in Document B, women obtained more rights, and in turn were some of the most active reformers. They were given more power in the churches, and found great pleasure in this. As seen in Document I, they believed it was their time to gather and discuss issues and how they could make changes for the better concerning women's rights. Women also believed that in a democratic society, they should be given the privilege and responsibility of choosing their own destiny through their own actions and way of life. Many of the women fighting for changes were those of high social status and living in the north. They were well educated, very religious, and had seemingly infinite extra time. As pictured in Document C, they believed that everybody was created equal, regardless of one's race, creed, color, or gender. Contrary to Document D, naturalization was an anti-democratic because it could deny and immigrant suffrage. Women knew that true democracy could never be partial towards a certain race, religion, sex or heritage. Democracy does not have an aversion to these differences; it rejoices in them.

The reform movements were not just a way to stop immoral behavior that was already present, but they were also a gateway to change things that could easily become destructive. Because of the overpopulation in cities, the deflation of wages, and the beginnings of women working, many men were taking their depression straight to the ever-present bottle of alcohol. It was not uncommon for a man to come home drunk and depressed and then