Religion and Reform “I beseech you to treasure up in your hearts these my parting words: Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.”—Horace Mann June 1859

Middle Class Reform

Overview As the Republic grew, many new problems surfaced—poverty, alcoholism, illiteracy, poor housing, poor healthcare, declining moral values. As the Republic grew, many new problems surfaced—poverty, alcoholism, illiteracy, poor housing, poor healthcare, declining moral values. Reform movements, rooted in philosophy and religion, emerged to answer the problems. Reform movements, rooted in philosophy and religion, emerged to answer the problems.

Protestant Revivalists Revival movements arose with a call to bring people back to God. Revival movements arose with a call to bring people back to God. Key Figures Key Figures –Charles Grandison Finney –Lyman Beecher (father of Harriet Beecher Stowe)

Charles Grandison Finney

Lyman Beecher

Transcendentalists (Transcend=to rise above) Believed: Believed: –Spiritual discovery and insight would lead a person to truths more profound than could be reached through reason. –Humans are naturally good –In private inward searching –Self-reliance –One should act on their own beliefs Ralph Waldo Emerson Ralph Waldo Emerson –Leader in the movement –Thought one could transcend the material world and become conscious of the spirit in nature

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau –Wrote:  Walden  Civil Disobedience

Temperance Movement Pushed to end alcohol consumption Pushed to end alcohol consumption Reformers believed drinking was a threat to families and society Reformers believed drinking was a threat to families and society Effective movement b/c b/w the 1830s and 1860s consumption dropped dramatically. Effective movement b/c b/w the 1830s and 1860s consumption dropped dramatically.

Public Education Horace Mann Horace Mann –Led reform movement in education –Pushed for free public education –Pushed for moral education ie-McGuffey’s Readers

Horace Mann

Prison Reform Dorothea Dix—pushed to have separate institutions for the mentally ill. Dorothea Dix—pushed to have separate institutions for the mentally ill.

Dorothea Dix

Abolition Movement

Roots of the Movement Began in religious circles Began in religious circles By 1807 states north of Maryland had passed laws to abolish slavery. By 1807 states north of Maryland had passed laws to abolish slavery.

Repatriation Movement Some abolitionists favored freeing slaves and retuning them to Africa Some abolitionists favored freeing slaves and retuning them to Africa 1816—The American Colonization Society established Liberia as a slave colony 1816—The American Colonization Society established Liberia as a slave colony Blacks opposed the movement and few went. Blacks opposed the movement and few went.

Radical Abolitionists Pushed for immediate abolition Pushed for immediate abolition Favored radical action Favored radical action William Lloyd Garrison—prominent leader William Lloyd Garrison—prominent leader

William Lloyd Garrison

Frederick Douglas Former Slave Former Slave Published an abolitionist paper the North Star Published an abolitionist paper the North Star Served as an advisor to Lincoln Served as an advisor to Lincoln

Frederick Douglas

Underground Railroad Network of escape routes that provided protection and transportation for fleeing slaves Network of escape routes that provided protection and transportation for fleeing slaves Rescued b/w 40,000 and 100,000 Rescued b/w 40,000 and 100,000 Most famous conductor—Harriet Tubman AKA “the Black Moses” Most famous conductor—Harriet Tubman AKA “the Black Moses”

Harriet Tubman

Opposition to Abolitionism The North The North –Merchants feared it would ruin the North / South trade. –Workers feared losing their jobs. –Whites viewed blacks as inferior. The South The South –Southerners were outraged at the claims made by abolitionists and took steps to stop their movement.

Women’s Rights

Roles of Women Home Home –Expected to be homemakers, hostesses, and practice community service Work Work –Single were allowed to work, but expected to quit work when they got married. Politics Politics –Women could not vote. –Women were active in the reform movements, especial Temperance and Abolition  1852 Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Movement for Rights Seneca Falls Convention (NY July 1848) Seneca Falls Convention (NY July 1848) –First Women’s rights convention in the US –Organized by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. –Issued the “Declaration of Sentiments” which called for increased rights including suffrage.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Lucretia Mott

Growing Divisions

Immigration With the industrial and transportation revolutions, the demand for cheap labor grew. With the industrial and transportation revolutions, the demand for cheap labor grew. 1820s—129,000 immigrants came; 1830s—540,000; 1840s 2.8 million 1820s—129,000 immigrants came; 1830s—540,000; 1840s 2.8 million Most came from Northern Europe: Most came from Northern Europe: –Irish—Irish Potato Famine –Germans—came for political freedom

The Potato Famine

Immigrants became naturalized citizens. Immigrants became naturalized citizens. Hostilities—many were hostile toward immigrants b/c: Hostilities—many were hostile toward immigrants b/c: –Losing jobs –Religion—most immigrants were catholics

North vs. South Reform movements created ill will and divisions b/w the North and the South. Reform movements created ill will and divisions b/w the North and the South. Churches in the N and S became divided over the issue of slavery. (Southern Baptist Convention formed at this time) Churches in the N and S became divided over the issue of slavery. (Southern Baptist Convention formed at this time) Southerners saw reforms in slavery, education and women’s rights as a threat to their way of life. Southerners saw reforms in slavery, education and women’s rights as a threat to their way of life.