A democracy is a government that is run by, of, and for the people. In the early nineteenth century, "democracy" did not comply with it's meaning. Reform movements such as abolition and women's rights show the weaknesses and strengths of democracy.
             One of the most important right we have as a citizen is freedom of speech. Although in the early nineteenth century, Women and African Americans were denied voice in democracy. They were not treated as equals to the white male; then it seemed that the constitution was written for the white male instead for the people. Abolitionists and Women both strived to be treated equally and have the right to vote. In the past they were not treated as citizens but thought more of being property. Through the Constitution it legally stated that they were not citizens. The Supreme Court's decision on the Dred Scott case clearly stated that African Americans were not citizens and through the Fifth Amendment it legally declared that they were considered as property. Even in Congress the gag rule banned talk of the issue slavery, thus violating our right in the Constitution, freedom of speech. As for the women they strived to be heard also, since they were not allowed to hold any office positions, own property, be a part of a jury, and did not have the right to divorce their husbands. Through the Cult of Domesticy, it further pushed the inequality opportunity for women, as they were viewed to stay home and take care of the house and kids. Thus, these movements showing the insubstantial ways democracy worked.
             There were reform movements, which showed the many strengths in our democracy and helped women's rights and abolition. The First Amendment is the most important rights we have. Through the first amendment writers such as Harriet Beecher Stowe, Willard Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, and many others have written books, which helped the start for abolition propag...