After the era of the Revolutionary War, reform movements and campaigns of all types flourished in the years 1825-1850. Americans wanted to improve the character of ordinary citizens and make them more upright, god-fearing, and literate. As the young Republic grew, increasing numbers of Americans poured their energies into religious revivals and reform movements. Some Americans were disappointed by the realities of democratic politics. Reformers promoted better public schools and rights for women. Societies were formed against slavery and alcohol. Religion became more liberal, as religious reforms transformed the place of religion in American life and sent believers out to perfect the world. The Second Great Awakening sparked innovative reform movements that expanded democratic ideals socially and politically..

The Second Great Awakening was one of the most momentous episodes in history of American reform. It encouraged a lively evangelism that affected the American way of life. This spiritual fervor left countless converted souls, many reorganized churches, and numerous new sects. A reaction against the growing liberalism of religion soon took effect across th

Reform movements expanded democratic ideals politically as well as through temperance reforms, demonstrated prejudice against foreigners, and abolition movements. Reformers often had extreme alcohol problems due to their difficult lifestyle. Heavy drinking led to a decrease in efficiency of labor. People would show up drunk to work and increased the dangers of accidents on the job. The American Temperance Society was formed at Boston in 1826. Local groups invited drinkers to sign the temperance pledge. Moderate reformers stressed “temperance” rather than the entire elimination of alcohol. Others thought that alcohol should be removed completely. Neil S. Dowe became the father of prohibition. The life of a drunkard is depicted in Document H. Often people thought that drinking socially was acceptable; but often it became excessive and ended with death or suicide. It was impossible to eliminate the thirst for alcohol, however, before the Civil War there was clearly less drinking among women and less over all consumption of hard liquor. Some people blamed the introduction to drinking on immigrants like Germans who had brought over beer. These reformers thought that if the Naturalization Laws were stricter, then “bad” immigrants would be eliminated out of importation. In the 1840s and 1850s there was a period of prejudice against immigrants that came to the United States. Germans came and settled in the West, while Irish foreigners settled in the eastern cities. Americans feared that newcomers would take jobs. American “nativists” rallied for political action. In 1849 they established the American or “know nothing” party. Nativists wanted restrictions on immigration and naturalization. Immigrants were making America a pluralistic society and thus cultural clashes were occurring. Samuel F.B. Morse was a nativist against foreigners. The Naturalization law stated that no foreigner can vote in the country after the law was passed. Emigration was not

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