American reforms

America experienced many kinds of reforms during the time period between 1825 and 1850. The different types of reform movements in the United States during this time period sought to expand democratic ideals through religious, women’s, and social reforms. The era’s reformers were portrayed as idealistic altruistic crusaders who intended to improve American society.
Church attendance was still a regular ritual for about three-fourths of Americans. In fact, Alexis de Tocqueville declared that there was, “no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America.” Hence, it was very easy to bring reform to America through religion. One of the reformers was Charles Finney. He denounced both alcohol and slavery and encouraged women to pray aloud in public. This brought a democratic principle in which women are equal to men and slaves are also free people. In Document B, he declares that through such type of reforms h...