WARM UP “Education then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of men…” - Horace Mann What does it mean that education is the “great equalizer?”
Reform Era
REFORM ERA19 th century Main Idea : Industrialization, cultural changes, and religious revivals led to reform movements in 19 th century America.
What led to Reform? Rising wealth in United States Industrial Revolution Transcendentalism Belief in human potential of individuals 2 nd Great Awakening
Second Great Awakening “The people crowded to this meeting from far and near. They came in their large wagons, with [food] mostly prepared. The women slept in the wagons, and the men under them. Many stayed on the ground night and day for a number of nights and days together. Others were provided for among the neighbors around. The power of God was wonderfully displayed; scores of sinners fell under the preaching, like men slain in mighty battle; Christians shouted aloud for joy.”
Second Great Awakening “The noise was like the roar of Niagara. The vast sea of human beings seemed to be agitated as if by a storm. I counted seven ministers, all preaching at one time, some on stumps, others on wagons... Some of the people were singing, others praying, some crying for mercy. A peculiarly strange sensation came over me. My heart beat tumultuously, my knees trembled, my lips quivered, and I felt as though I must fall to the ground.”
Second Great Awakening This guy preached for 3 days straight…
Second Great Awakening This religious revival caused many people to turn to reform society
Abolition Women’s Rights Prison Reform Care of disabled Education Temperance Labor Reform Reform
Treatment of the Disabled The workforce had to be more physically uniform to perform routine factory operations. Disabled people were rejected. disabled people were shut away in single-sex institutions for life, or sterilized Some suggested that they should be “detained for the whole of their lives” as the only way to “stem the great evil of feeble-mindedness in our country.”
Treatment of the Disabled Many people to this point in history did not know how to treat mental illness Many disabled patients were locked in rooms, chained to beds, beaten into obedience Dorothy Dix – led the fight for the mentally ill Facilities for disabled people were improved, allowing them to have more fulfilling lives
Education Reform Before the Industrial Revolution, most children received little formal education Education was for the wealthy (private tutors) Horace Mann – “education…is the great equalizer” Fought for free public education for everyone Wanted all children (wealthy and poor) to mix in schools
Temperance Movement Many Americans became concerned that drinking alcohol ruined people’s health, disrupted family life, led to unemployment, and led to “ungodly behavior” Temperance Movement Goal: total abstinence from alcohol
Prison Reform Are prisons about punishment or reforming criminals? Prisons were all about putting criminals away for a while… Reformers campaigned for better prison conditions Argued: Prisoners should be rehabilitated Eliza Farnham – warden of a women’s prison who believed in treating prisoners fairly
HOW WOMEN WERE TREATED IN THE 1800s Legally: women were not equal citizens – could not vote, serve on juries, or hold public office Socially: women were expected to care for the home and children – no education Economically: once a woman married, her husband took control of all her property and income
Women’s Rights Women had little power/rights in the 1800s Some women began to see these inequalities as a serious problem that needed reform Women began to organize together Seneca Falls Convention Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and other reformers organized this convention to stand up for women’s rights
Women’s Rights Seneca Falls Convention (1848) This convention passed the Declaration of Sentiments “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed with their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…”
Women’s Rights Susan B. Anthony Daughter of a Quaker abolitionist Called for: Equal pay for women College training for girls Coeducation
ABOLITION Abolitionist Movement: the effort by many groups and individuals to end slavery in the United States Abolitionists opposed slavery from the beginning (example: Quakers) The Reform movement expanded abolition as more people wanted to see an end to slavery
ABOLITION Important names: William Lloyd Garrison Published The Liberator – a newspaper that called for the complete end to slavery by peaceful means
ABOLITION Important names: Frederick Douglas Escaped slavery Became a famous speaker, writer, newspaper editor, and reformer Proved that slaves could function as part of society as free, independent citizens
ABOLITION Important names: Uncle Tom’s Cabin(book) Book published in 1852 that described the horrors of slavery Made slavery a moral issue for many people
ABOLITION Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Network of abolitionists, paths, and places that secretly helped slaves escape to the North or Canada
ABOLITION John Brown’s Revolt 1859 – John Brown and other abolitionists (white and African-American) attacked an arsenal at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia John Brown hoped to seize weapons and start a violent rebellion against slavery Brown and his men were defeated by local citizens and government troops Brown is convicted of treason and executed by hanging Becomes a martyr