Democratic Values- Dbq

Democratic values ar the fundamental beliefs that founded the United States and represent the ticker of America. Throughout history, many reform movements sought to plump these strong values that represent the unity among Americans through life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The magnification of these principles can be particularly seen through the time period of 1825-1850, where much change was beginning to occur. While all of these reforms sought to expand the democratic ideals, only certain movements succeeded and presented the deserved independence of in good orders to all.Movements involving religion, juvenile institutions, and womens rights supported and expanded upon these ideals while other aspects such as temperance and utopianism failed to offer the true meaning. Foremost, the Second Great Awakening, a sacred revival, helped to expand democratic ideals by raising the standards and morals of the common man. Charles G. Finney believed that if people focused o n religion and the church then the reformation and salvation of sinners get out follow, (Doc B).He said that it would also lead to the conversion of many diverse people including harlots, drunkards, and infidels, due to reforms in the church. With the belief that goodness led to salvation, many people in the communities were surrounded by good deeds for humanity. It offered a more uplifting view upon life where, the rich have many troubles which we know nonhing of and that the poor, if they are but good, may be very happy, indeed (Doc E). Along with equality and goodness among others, the reforms of prisons and treatment of the mentally ill were also changing through Dorthea Dix.The benefits of these reforms where seen by rescuing the prisoners from vice and rendering them valuable members of society, (Doc A). Another very important reform was the beginning of the womens movement where they desired increased freedom to declare our right to be as free as man is free, (Doc I). All o f these reforms succeeded in expanding democratic ideas and aimed to make better institutions and democracy overall. Furthermore, the reformation of temperance tried to expand democratic ideals but failed because it tried to control the public and restrict their freedoms of drinking.The picture titled The Drunkard Progress From First Glass to the Grave, presents a long cognitive process on how alcohol tore families apart and aimed at trying to force better moral judgment upon people, (Doc H). Although temperance was ultimately a matter of get out power, more people were beginning to express their views upon different aspects. Also, the Brooke Park Farm Association represented unity through people but in a different way then the true fundamental beliefs do through Americans.They formed their society in order to guarantee to each other ever the means of physical support, and of spiritual progress (Doc F). No self-proclaimed utopian society has ever survived because they tried to em brace the forced unification of different individuals. Overall, the movements involving temperance and utopianism did not expand ideas due to strict governing, while the reforms involving religion, institutions, and womens rights succeeded because they helped expand democratic ideals in that they desired increased rights.