Reforms & Reformers Attempts at Change

The Reforming Spirit The men and women who led the reform movements of the 1800s wanted to extend the nation’s ideals of liberty and equality to all Americans. They believed the nation should live up to the noble goals stated in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

Religious and Philosophical Ideas The Second Great Awakening (c.1800 – c.1830) – A wave of religious fervor – Increased church membership and inspired many to do missionary work and take part in reform movements. Americans were also inspired by American clergymen (preachers like Charles Finney c.1830) The Temperance Movement – Alcohol was blamed for poverty, the breakup of families and crime. – Reformers called for temperance, drinking little or no alcohol.

Utopian Ideals Utopias - communities based on a vision of a perfect society. Philosophers throughout history have described utopias (e.g. Plato The Republic, Sir Thomas More Utopia)

Reforming Education Reformers pushed for public education. School years were lengthened to six months, curriculum was improved, teachers’ salaries were doubled and teachers were trained first normal school (school to train teachers) founded in Massachusetts Chico Normal School opens. Horace Mann "father of American public education."

Changes in Education By the 1850’s most states accepted 3 basic principles: – Schools should be free and supported by taxes. – Teachers should be trained. – Students should be required to attend. Females received a limited education – Some believed a woman’s role was to become a wife and mother. – Subjects like science, math and history were “men’s” subjects.

The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. " 'Tis some visiter," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door — Only this, and nothing more….."

Cultural Trends Changes in American society influenced art and literature. Beginning in the 1820’s American writers and artists developed their own style and explored uniquely American themes.

The Transcendentalists Transcendentalists stressed the relationship between humans and nature, as well as the importance of the individual conscience. Who were they?

To name a few… Margaret Fuller – Supported women’s rights through writings. Ralph Waldo Emerson – Urged people to break the bond of prejudice. Henry David Thoreau – Practiced “Civil Disobedience” by going to jail rather than pay a tax to support the Mexican War.

The Women’s Movement Many women believed they should have the same rights as men, and they organized to gain these rights. Much of the Women’s Movement came from women who while fighting to end slavery began to recognize their own bondage. (Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony) Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Women and Reform The Seneca Falls Convention (1848) – First women’s rights convention – 200 women and 40 men attended – Issued a Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions modeled after the Declaration of Independence “We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men AND women are created equal”. – Called for an end to all laws that discriminated against women – Included a demand for Women’s suffrage

The Women’s Rights Movement Many reformers—male and female— joined the movement. For much of the century these reformers worked win women the right to vote, equal pay, opportunities for education and to break down other gender barriers. These reformers had just begun the long struggle to achieve their goals.

The Abolitionists The spirit of reform was not limited to improving education and expanding the arts. By the early 1800’s, a growing number of American’s had begun to demand an immediate end to slavery in the South.

Early Efforts to End Slavery Constitutional Convention – The importation of Africans would end in – Northwest Ordinance – No slavery in the Northwest Territories 1816 – American Colonization Society – Private citizens purchased slaves from their owners – Beginning in 1822 emancipated slaves were sent to Liberia – Liberia becomes an independent country in 1847

The New Abolitionists Beginning in the 1830s, the issue of slavery became the most pressing social issue for reformers. Most Americans had a moderate view toward slavery. Reformers realized that the gradual approach to ending slavery had failed.

The Radicals (Extremists) William Lloyd Garrison – Operated the abolitionist newspaper, The Liberator The Grimke Sisters – Among the first women to speak out against slavery Frederick Douglass – Former slave – Edited the antislavery newspaper, The North Star Sojourner Truth – Dedicated her life to abolition and women’s rights The Grimke Sisters Frederick Douglass William Lloyd Garrison

The Underground Railroad The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 required all citizens to help catch runaways. More people in the North were convinced of the evils of slavery. Abolitionists established a network of routes and risked their lives to help African Americans escape slavery. Harriet Tubman, a former slave, was known as “Moses” for her efforts of leading slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad.