The years between 1825-1850 were the years of the Jacksonian Democracy. During this time democratic ideals were expanded through equal rights movements and educational and religious reforms. The main goal of this era was to make society a better place for everyone. To better society there had to be change, change for more equality and freedom. Women played a huge role in the reform movements. Black women were probably the worst treated at the time (Document C). Women who were immigrants or in the poorer class also had it bad. But all women were not allowed the right to vote and there was barely any property rights for them. A movement to expand the democratic ideal of equality was the Seneca Falls Convention. (Document …show more content…
Led by Samuel F.B. Morse this reformation made it so that any foreigner who came into the United States after the law was changed was not allowed the right of suffrage (Document D). The democratic ideal of Liberty includes political freedom, which in itself includes the right to participate in political processes. If foreigners are not able to vote, that liberty which was a democratic ideal of the Constitution has been taken from them. If foreigners are denied the right to suffrage, it would be impossible for them to be considered equal. The excerpt from Brownson’s speeech talks about how reform movements are an unnecessary phase and that they don’t create a significant change. (Doc G.) This also does not support democratic ideals because it states that society is perfect even though it is largely divided. During this time period tax-supported public education had formed. In reality though, the majority of the kids who could attend school were white middle class boys. Girls were seen as not bright enough to need education and slave children were working on plantations. Some poor boys attended school but a lot of the times they would have to leave class and go home to help their parents or go with their fathers to work and not even attend school at all. (Doc
The Antebellum Era between the years of 1825 to 1850 was abundant with many reform movements that signified great change within the people of the nation. Although many of these changes were good and lasting reforms, extremists’ stark views did the contrary and inhibited change. Luckily, reform movements such as the women’s rights movement, the abolition of slavery, and temperance all led the nation in the right direction towards the expansion of democratic ideals. These ideals encompass the belief that all citizens are equal and are entitled to certain unalienable rights.
In the late nineteenth century known as the Gilded Age (or the Reconstruction period) and the early twentieth century known as the Progressive era, the nation went through great economic growth and social change. Beginning from the 1870s, there was rapid growth in innovations and big businesses. This could be because there was population growth and when there is population growth, there is a high demand of products and other necessities in order to strive in society. Many immigrants from Europe, mostly from the eastern and southern Europe, and Asia moved to American cities. Additionally, farmers from rural America desired to increase economically in society and since corporations ruled and political problems occurred, they decided to move into the cities. Afterwards, the 1900s started with the dominance of progressivism which many Americans tried to improve and solve the problems that were caused or had arisen because of the industrialization of the Gilded Age. It was basically the time when progressives fought for legislations like regulation of big businesses, end of the political corruption, and protection of the rights of the people: the poor, immigrants, workers, and consumers. Thus, between the periods 1870 to 1920, big businesses had arisen and taken control of the political and economic systems through corruption and innovations. In response, American citizens reacted negatively and formed labor unions and political systems to diminish the power that large corporations had in America.
Andrew Jackson began a whole new era in American history. Amongst his greatest accomplishments were evoking the "common man" to be interested in government and tailoring democracy to satisfy the same "common man's" needs. Of course, Jackson could not go about making such radical changes without supporters, but that never surfaced as a problem. Jacksonian Democrats, as they came to be called, were great in number during the 1820's and 1830's. They advocated all of the issues that President Jackson did, and did so with great vigor. They thought of themselves very highly because they recognized their responsibilities as American citizens. They realized that as political leaders they had a true purpose- to protect and serve the American people. The Jacksonians justified their view of themselves in their sincere attempts to guard the United States Constitution by both promoting equality of economic opportunity and increasing political democracy, but they had their downfalls with issues of individual liberties.
The Jacksonians and President Jackson proved to be both keepers and offenders of political democracy. Jacksonians did not protect political democracy for non-white men. The Cherokees and African Americans were persecuted almost entirely by the Jacksonian Democrats. They protected the interests of the poor and rich white-man; protecting the interests of farmers, mechanics, and laborers by keeping the rich from gaining too much power. Jackson and his democrats did a great deal to protect the common man. Universal Manhood Suffrage was also an important factor in the political democracy of the United States. By giving all white men the right to vote it helped lessen the power of the upper class.
During the 1830 there were many reform movements because of President Jackson, here is three. One of the reform movements was the act to allow women to have equal rights, this was known as the Women’s Rights Movement. This movement improved the quality of life in America because it gave women the right to vote in national subjects such as the president. This movement also allowed women to have an easier time after their husband dies, by allowing females to be able to keep the land they lived on instead of being kicked off of it! One more way it improved life in America was by allowing women to wear what they want. This made it easier for them to work since they had to wear low mobility dresses while they work.
Women were not allowed to vote, own land separate from their husbands if they were married. Their primary duties were to be kept at home to have and take care of children due to the misogynistic ideals of men. They had very little control over their own bodies, with the Comstock Laws contraceptives were outlawed so they had very little choice of their own if they wanted a child or not. Thanks to the influence of magnificent women such as Susan B. Anthony, Margaret Sanger and, Jane Addams they were able to be heard, stand up for their ideals and slowly enact changes. Changes in the form of wage inequality, the right to contraceptives, and the 19th amendment, which allowed women to vote. Although many of the changes the women were fighting for happened much later than 1900.
Democracy in the United States became prominent in the early to mid 19th century. Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the United States, was inaugurated in 1829 and was best known as the person who mainstreamed democracy in America. Because he came from a humble background, he was the “genuine common man.” (Foner, pg. 303) He claimed he recognized the needs of the people and spoke on behalf of the majority [farmers, laborers].
During the late 19th century and early 20th century the U.S continued it past expansion from Manifesto Destiny and the progressive era by the debates of racial superiority and constitutional rights but, it also was a departure from the previous expansion era by the U.S expanded our foreign relationships, not using the idea of isolationism, and the use of different foreign policies.
Women had limited rights during the 19th Century. The Seneca Falls convention was a woman’s rights convention located in Seneca Falls in what is today known as Finger Lakes District (Page 3). This convention paved the road to help women gain rights and to stop being so dependent on men. At this time period women were not allowed to vote, own land, have a professional career, they only received minor education, etc. In an interesting book, Seneca Falls and the Origins of the Women’s Rights Movement, by Sally G. McMillen she explains the widespread significance of the convention that changed women’s history. From 1840 to 1890, over the course of 50 years. Four astonishing women; Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Susan B Anthony and Lucy
Women began standing up for more rights and realizing that they could be treated better. 1840 the World Anti-slavery Convention in London showed a great example of inferiority of women. Women were denied a seat at the convention because they were women. Women like Elizabeth C. Stanton and Lucretia C. Mott were enraged and inspired to launch the women’s rights movement. Elizabeth Stanton promoted women’s right to vote. “If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to forment a rebellion and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.
During The Jacksonian Era many different views and ideas were predominant about the United States. The Jacksonian Democrats were a loose coalition of different peoples and interests pulled together by a common practical idea. That idea was that they all were followers of President Andrew Jackson. Jacksonian Democrats viewed themselves as guardians of the Constitution when in fact they were not. When dealing with politics and ideas within the Democratic Party of the time the Jacksonians proved to be both guardians and violators of the Constitution. Individual liberty is another area in which the Jacksonians were advocates to different sides of the topic at different times. The Jacksonians also proved to be champions for equality of economic opportunity. The Jacksonians demonstrated themselves to be, not the proponents they thought they were, but instead violators of the US Constitution.
The Jeffersonian Era (1800-1828) was a very important time in the United States. The Louisiana Purchase was made, which resulted in a major push for westward expansion. The U.S. resolved to war as a result over their confrontations with England. The Federalists lost power which then transferred the United States into the Era of Good Feelings due to a relatively peaceful period for the new nation. When the United States transitions to the 1820’s, major changes are obvious throughout the nation. The period between 1815 and 1840 was often referred to as the “Age of Jackson.” It ushered in radical changes in the nation’s political system, a major shift in social and cultural values, and the emergence of a national market system driven by technology,
Women began to speak out against the laws that were deliberately set against them. Throughout this time period, women were denied the right to vote in all federal and most state held elections. Women struggled to achieve equality; equality as citizens, equality in the work place, and equality at home. During this time, Americans worked to fight corruption in government, reduce the power of big business, and improve society as a whole.
The Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, the first women's rights convention in American history, was an outgrowth of almost twenty years of female activity in social reform. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was one of the most important of the feminists in the 19th century. She was highly educated in law, but could not continue in law due to her sex, Stanton was involved in the abolitionist movement and many other women's rights issues. In 1848, Stanton along with some other females organized the Seneca Falls Convention, where they put together a declaration that in a way resembled the Declaration of Independence. Today many historians believe that this declaration that they drafted was a great turning point for women's rights. And they were right indeed seeing that this convention would soon lead to women gradually gaining rights so that they would eventually be equal to the rights of a male. Today it is still debated whether women are still discriminated against. I believe in some unfortunate cases this is true, but for the most part women have gained equal rights to males.
Abolition reform was a movement against chattel slavery, it had an enormous impact on American history and caused a lot of social and political tension between the people. Abolitionism ascended out of the religious belief that slavery was a sin and it must be stopped by those who truly feared God. Social protestors including women divided the abolition movement from the women’s rights role. This began a more focused approach where the people worked more into the political methods of abolishing slavery. Even though women had little influence on the political scene and they had no vote, they played a vital role in the abolition of slavery. Women played an active role in gaining public support, they began gathering signatures on petitions to end slavery and slave trades. Congress tried to ignore these petitions, yet the women were motivated and just fought harder. The women’s societies never gave up for what they believed, they were known to be more courageous than men. Despite their limited rights, women continued to persuade the public to support their movements and even hired public speakers to give lectures. Women kept the abolitionist movement