Before the 1820s

Before the 1820s, many democratic ideals were not present. African Americans and women were still seen as inferior to white men; education wasn’t a requirement nor was it available to many individuals; alcohol was able to be consumed as when pleased and excessively; and the mentally unhealthy were treated as criminals. Government was run under a federalist system stating that states and provinces share power with a national government. Federalism was strong in the time before the 1800s but soon died out after and the nation became a democracy. This democracy contained democratic ideals but not as many until changes were made. Beforehand, ideals included Reform movements greatly led to an expansion of democratic ideals from 1825-1855.