The democratic republic of the 19th century was very religious in its core. The thinking of the time period was that to live freely was to live through god. To live in a respectable way was to practice godliness. People were expected to control their personal vices and impulses. Things like having sex, drinking alcohol, eating too much and going the circus were thought to be unhealthy and unnecessary in one’s life. The thought of living in the “free” republic of the time does not seem so free in our understanding of the word in modern times. But to the people living in America during the 19th century these ideals were a part of life in the new America. Rebellion to Great Britain was backed up by religion. Religious revivals were progressive for the time putting new life into religion for people. Religion was thought to be necessary in running a republic. The majority of people were Christian and the majority ruled. Religion was a way to keep people’s actions “moral” and to keep people in line, keeping them from being completely free in the modern sense of the word.
The middle class of the time illustrates these ideals of morality. These ideals did not only include suffocating your inner desires, but also acting in a way that was seen as acceptable in the society of the day. This included living in the right neighborhoods, having servants serve you your meals, and having proper “table manners” as put by Ms. Beecher. The white-collar workers working in the commercial district of town were the people that were in charge of setting these standards. The factory workers or the working class often did not fit these models of virtuous behavior. The people of the working class were partaking in activities like going to the circus and going to the saloon. This caused conflict between the middle class and the working class. There began to be a greater separation between the two groups in where they lived, where they worked, and their morals. During this time, classes started to rise once again and people were being more and more separated by income and status.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
1st post
In “A DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OR STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA” which was written in 1776 one of the rights stated that “the people of this State have the sole, exclusive and inherent right of governing and regulating the internal police of the same.” This idea was common throughout the constitutions of New Jersey, Maryland, and Alabama with phrases like “all political power is vested in and derived from the people only.” All these constitutions were transforming America into a nation run by citizens instead of a higher force.
Constitutions like that of Pennsylvania determined that the people would form the government with common interest in mind. It would also be formed without violence. It states that they must get together “to form for themselves such just rules as they shall think best, for governing their future society, and being fully convinced, that it is our indispensable duty to establish such original principles of government.” These constitutions were also advocating the equality of all men despite class, sect, or denomination. This did not however include equality regardless of race because slavery was a huge asset in the minds of the majority of people. It also did not include the equality of women. They were aiming for freedom of religion, which was not prevalent in European countries. The Cane Ridge revival of 1801 was the start of the restoration movement and the beginning of the unity of the church.
American life was transforming in the early 1800’s. More white men were gaining the right to vote. This expansion of voting rights lead to more democratic ways of electing government officials. Instead of states being ruled by the elite and powerful, people like David Crockett were coming into power. With his charming personality he was able to get elected into the legislature of Tennesee. He was not weathered like the other candidates but he was a real and was a perfect example of the thought that “humor, hunting skills, and male camaraderie were as important to electoral success as a clear stance on the issues of the day.”
Constitutions like that of Pennsylvania determined that the people would form the government with common interest in mind. It would also be formed without violence. It states that they must get together “to form for themselves such just rules as they shall think best, for governing their future society, and being fully convinced, that it is our indispensable duty to establish such original principles of government.” These constitutions were also advocating the equality of all men despite class, sect, or denomination. This did not however include equality regardless of race because slavery was a huge asset in the minds of the majority of people. It also did not include the equality of women. They were aiming for freedom of religion, which was not prevalent in European countries. The Cane Ridge revival of 1801 was the start of the restoration movement and the beginning of the unity of the church.
American life was transforming in the early 1800’s. More white men were gaining the right to vote. This expansion of voting rights lead to more democratic ways of electing government officials. Instead of states being ruled by the elite and powerful, people like David Crockett were coming into power. With his charming personality he was able to get elected into the legislature of Tennesee. He was not weathered like the other candidates but he was a real and was a perfect example of the thought that “humor, hunting skills, and male camaraderie were as important to electoral success as a clear stance on the issues of the day.”
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