The Age of Reform The birth of industrial society posed many new challenges for Americans. The mid 1800’s witnessed the birth of several major movements for social reform. A reform movement tries to make changes in society to correct social abuses and to improve living conditions.

Henry David Thoreau, on Civil Disobedience Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once? Men generally, under such a government as this, think that they ought to wait …if they should resist, the remedy would be worse than the evil. But it is the fault of the government itself that the remedy is worse than the evil. It makes it worse. Why is it not more apt to anticipate and provide for reform? Why does it not cherish its wise minority? Why does it cry and resist before it is hurt? Why does it not encourage its citizens to be on the alert to point out its faults, and do better than it would have them? Why does it always crucify Christ, and excommunicate Copernicus and Luther, and pronounce Washington and Franklin rebels?

Immigration Irish Potato Famine

Waves of new immigrants changed American society and culture. Millions of Irish and German immigrants arrived between 1820-1850 Many Irish flocked to cities such as New York, Boston and Philadelphia, while Germans migrated to farmland in the west.

Irish faced prejudice and discrimination because they were Catholic

Temperance Movement Alcohol abuse was widespread among men, women, and children. Reformers linked alcohol abuse to crime, the breakup of families, and mental illness. In the late 1820s, the Temperance movement (a public campaign against the sale or drinking of alcohol) was started.

Education Movement In the mid-1800s the spirit of reform made its way to the classroom. At this time, few children attended school because of the cost. Efforts to change this practice were led by Horace Mann, who would later receive the nickname “father of American public schools” . Reformers saw education as a way of solving some of the problems in society, such as poverty and crime.

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Abolition Movement Abolitionists were people who were opposed to slavery. In 1807 the Congress abolished the importation of slaves. Abolitionists were now demanded laws to end slavery in the South.

William Lloyd Garrison was a vocal abolitionist and publisher of the newspaper The Liberator. He also formed the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1833.

That which is not just is not law.  William Lloyd Garrison  I will be as harsh as truth, and uncompromising as justice... I am in earnest, I will not equivocate, I will not excuse, I will not retreat a single inch, and I will be heard.  William Lloyd Garrison  The compact which exists between the North and the South is a covenant with death and an agreement with hell.  William Lloyd Garrison 

Nat Turner led a slave revolt in 1831 in Virginia Nat Turner led a slave revolt in 1831 in Virginia. Turner and his followers killed over 60 whites. Turner was later captured and executed with over 70 blacks. “we do not go forth for the sake of blood, ours is not a war for robbery…it is a struggle for freedom”

FREDERICK DOUGLASS Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave, lectured against slavery and quickly became a leader in the abolitionist movement.

In 1847, he started his own antislavery newspaper, North Star.

I didn't know I was a slave until I found out I couldn't do the things I wanted.  Frederick Douglass  I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.  Frederick Douglass  One and God make a majority.  Frederick Douglass 

Underground Railroad The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses.

Slaves in the United States used these routes to escape to free states and later Canada with the aid of abolitionists who were sympathetic to their cause

Harriet Tubman was a runaway slave turned abolitionists, who helped hundreds of slaves escape along the underground railroad.

“Follow the Drinking Gourd” “When the sun comes back and the first quail calls, Follow the drinking gourd. For the old man is awaiting for to carry you to freedom, If you follow the Drinking Gourd. The river bank makes a mighty fine road, Dead trees to show you the way, And it's left foot, peg foot, traveling on Follow the drinking gourd…..”

Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe This book will sell over 300,000 copies and created much support for the Abolitionist cause