History of American Democracy: Reforms and Social Movements Analysis

This essay delves into the historical development of American Democracy, focusing on the period of Jacksonian America and the subsequent social and political reforms. It examines the significance of key events, such as the expansion of voting rights and the rise of reform movements like Sabbatarianism and abolitionism. The essay highlights the contributions of figures such as Andrew Jackson and Alexis de Toqueville, and discusses the impact of their actions on shaping the democratic landscape. It also explores the role of political crusaders and their efforts to address inequalities within the society. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of these historical developments in establishing a more democratic and equitable America, underscoring the significance of continuous efforts to ensure democratic rights for all individuals.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY
Sociology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1SOCIOLOGY
The concept of the Jacksonian America has been one of the most important phases in the
historical progress of the country that took place in the first half of the 19th century. The political
reforms came up by the assistance of men and women as they were keen on using the democratic
politics for the development of the society and country precisely.
Several reform movements took place during the first half of the 19th century that shook
the very base of the political structure during those times. Men and women were on the streets as
they wanted to embrace the democratic rights in the country o America (Foner 2016). The
crusaders were relentless in their desire and they did not want to let go any of the chances since
they wanted to make the situation better in the American society. Their demand was to appoint
all the local and state officers through election process. Otherwise, they were afraid of the
corruption that could be the main problem in the scenario (Zinn 1984).
Due to the result of these crusades, the obligations and barriers to voting had been lifted.
People were slowly given the rights to vote because they wanted to establish all the democratic
rights within the society. They wanted the equal rights for all men and women in all corners of
the country (Foner 2016). This would also give the opportunity to people to express their
opinions. The crusaders believed this kind of social and political structure within the country will
actually be helpful for growth and development of society. In the previous years, the freehold
requirement applied within the country had been the biggest barrier for common people to get
access to voting rights (Foner 2008).
There were social reform movements that took place during those times. Some of these
social movements were Sabbatarianism, temperance and abolitionism. Andrew Jackson was the
most noted reformer or crusader who catered to these social reform movements. He founded a

2SOCIOLOGY
political party that was called the American Democracy. Amidst these issues, Andrew Jackson
demanded from the administration to change the campaigning styles and electoral rules (Frazier
1987).
All these protests were aimed at providing the common people with their rights. During
the 1830 and 1831, a man from France named Alexis de Toqueville came to America and
believed that America was the epitome of democracy. Some of the crusaders who were
recognized as the face of these protests movements were Clay, John C. Calhoun, William H.
Crawford and John Quincy Adams (Foner 2008). All of these crusaders were in the hunt for
presidential post as they gained much popular response from common people. The concepts of
high tariffs in Carolina had been protested by these crusaders too that gained them much public
sympathy (Zinn 1984).
In the concluding section of the essay, it can be said that historical developments have
shaped America as a democracy and the relentless protests were responsible for providing the
democratic rights to all people in the society. The initiatives of Andrew Jackson had really been
commendable for eradicating the all the inequalities from the society.

3SOCIOLOGY
References
Foner, E., 2008. Voices of Freedom. WW Norton.
Foner, E., 2016. Give Me Liberty! An American History: One Volume. WW Norton & Company.
Frazier, T.R., 1987. The underside of American history (Vol. 1). Wadsworth Pub Co.
Zinn, H., 1984. The twentieth century: A people's history. New York, NY: Harper & Row.