Throughout American history, there have been many periods of time where reform movements have sought to expand democracy. One of these periods is the era of 1825-1850. There were many events occurring during this time that pushed democracy further. The desire to make America a civilized, almost utopian society and religious revivals occasionally adequately expanded democratic ideals, while movements for equal rights among women and slaves tried to put true democratic ideas on the table. Reform movements in the period of 1825-1850 did much to expand democratic ideals to all white males, but its effect on others was limited. .
Many reform movements came about in an attempt to bring order and control to society. Reformers called for public schools to educate future voters and to prevent social ills like poverty and crime. These people put forth effort to make sure that all children can be educated without cost. In reality though, the majority of children who could attend school were white middle class boys. Girls were often perceived as not bright enough to need schooling and slave children were needed on the plantation. Some poor boys attended school. Often they would have to leave class and rush home to help their parents, or sometimes go with their fathers to work and not even attend school at all. (Doc E) In 1826, American Society for Promotion of Temperance blamed societies" ills on alcohol. They said alcohol caused poverty, crime, and death among other things. (Doc H) Eventually this group and others came to the government asking it to prevent the sale of alcohol. These people wanted to push across a sweeping law prohibiting alcohol in all parts of society, although many did not want this. New methods to cure crime came about during this era. Penitentiaries were built now to not just punish, but rehabilitate as well. As a result, prisoners began to be treated as human beings.
