Reform in the Early 1800s Development of Religious Enthusiasm and the Growth of Cities

A spread of religious values, population growth, and urbanization during the early 1800s led to a number of reform movements trying to “fix” societal problems.

Second Great Awakening

A reemergence of religion - especially in Midwest and Southern states s Typified by rowdy revival meetings - emotional outlets for rural people, and often served as social gatherings in places where there was little else. Awakening in Northern states was a kind of resurgence of Puritan beliefs. A reemergence of religion - especially in Midwest and Southern states s Typified by rowdy revival meetings - emotional outlets for rural people, and often served as social gatherings in places where there was little else. Awakening in Northern states was a kind of resurgence of Puritan beliefs.

Charles Finney New York preacher - emphasized emotional religious appeals

From Religion to Reform Northern religious revivalism in particular led to reform movements. Reform movements picked up in cities - addressing poverty, crime, temperance Northern religious revivalism in particular led to reform movements. Reform movements picked up in cities - addressing poverty, crime, temperance

Temperance Movement Movement against alcohol was religious and “feminist” - alcohol seen as immoral and destroying families. The beginning of a movement that culminated in Movement against alcohol was religious and “feminist” - alcohol seen as immoral and destroying families. The beginning of a movement that culminated in 1918.

Gender Issues of the 1800s Throughout the country women began to work out of the home there was clear inequality. Women could not vote, in marriage husbands were in total control over property and children. Women began to have more authority in religious organizations - often leading reform movements. Throughout the country women began to work out of the home there was clear inequality. Women could not vote, in marriage husbands were in total control over property and children. Women began to have more authority in religious organizations - often leading reform movements.

Cult of Domesticity/True Womanhood View that women were supposed to embody perfect virtue - based on increased female involvement in religion. For men, women were to be at home as role models of piety - especially in middle-upper class homes. Really was the result of changing economy - men and women no longer working in a common environment - instead wage labor. Created a concept of different spheres for men and women = men work, women stay at home. In a sense women were denied a commanding role in the economy, but they were also the moral standard bearers. View that women were supposed to embody perfect virtue - based on increased female involvement in religion. For men, women were to be at home as role models of piety - especially in middle-upper class homes. Really was the result of changing economy - men and women no longer working in a common environment - instead wage labor. Created a concept of different spheres for men and women = men work, women stay at home. In a sense women were denied a commanding role in the economy, but they were also the moral standard bearers.

Fighting for Women’s Rights Even though women were seen as the moral standard in society, they could not vote.

Challenging the Status Quo Seneca Falls Declaration Argued not just for voting rights, but general equal rights.

Women’s Role Reality of women’s role was not so ideal. Many poorer women worked, and were expected to care for the home. Middle-upper class women were more often able to work in charitable societies. Reality of women’s role was not so ideal. Many poorer women worked, and were expected to care for the home. Middle-upper class women were more often able to work in charitable societies.

Asylum Reform Many of the state institutions to deal with mentally handicapped. Idea was that problems could be treated (solitary confinement, rigid routine). Ultimately many asylums could not meet their needs, but it was a step toward humane treatment. Many of the state institutions to deal with mentally handicapped. Idea was that problems could be treated (solitary confinement, rigid routine). Ultimately many asylums could not meet their needs, but it was a step toward humane treatment.

Religious fervency during the early 1800s was a major contributing factor to the spread of reform movements.