Between the years of 1825-1850, democratic ideals were greatly expanded by reform movements in the United States. These were the years of the Jacksonian Democracy, which mainly stressed universal manhood suffrage, public education, majority rule and the abolition of debtor prisons. President Jackson led the Democrats after the split of the Democratic-Republican Party. Reform movements flourished from all these and many more issues.
Movements pertaining to abolitionism were the chief factors in creating a more democratic government; this was a belief that slavery was evil. Many publications were formed in the anti-slavery movements such as: The Appeal in 1829, which was written by David Walker, who wrote of ending white supremacy; The Liberator, by Garrison, was also a tremendous factor, it was the blame for Nat Turner's Rebellion. Women's rights were also an issue linked to abolitionism. The Seneca Falls Convention was made because women were not allowed to participate in any anti-slavery convention. The purpose of this convention was to declare their right to be free as man is free (Doc I), hence the making of the cult of true womanhood.
The Second Great Awakening, started by Charles G. Finney, was caused by religious reformation. This spiritual movement focused on freewill, it was basically tying to convey that human behavior could be modified by religion. During this time period, the burned-over district was the center of religious revival. Utopianism was also another belief that sprung up, a belief that there was a "perfect" union between intellectuals and manual labor. Robert Owens started New Harmony, which focused on Utopian Socialism. The Amana and Shakers were both groups formed based on the ideals of Utopianism. .
During the 19th century, Horace Mann pursued the restructuring in the educational system. Schools were made to keeps the youth of America out of trouble by religious and moral instruction.
