Reform in America: Part I Changes that “improved” Americaʻs way of life (1800ʻs)

Reform? A “change from the norm (“norm” – normal. “How it used to be.”). A true reform affects the social (relationship of people), political (government, law, and politics), and economics (the way money is made and spent) of the area of change.

Types of Reform in America... 1.Children 2.Women 3.Temperance 4.Slavery

Activity to Ponder... Utopia “Utopia” is an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect. Take 5 minutes to give your perspective of a American Utopian society. – Focus on the Social, Political, and Economic factors to showcase “perfection.”

Reform on Children? 1.School 2.Work

Reform on Children - School In the 1830ʻs, reformers began to demand states to set up “free public schools.” Why did reformers want children to attend school?

The first Board of Education started in the state of Massachusetts in Massachusetts set up a system of free public schools. 1860, about 80% of white boys and girls in the NORTH attended school (ages 10-14). The school “year “ usually was around 2 months. Why? – Work was first. – Most farm boys attended school during the winter. Reform on Children - School

School went usually up to the “8 th grade.” Most girls finished school at age 15. Some boys finished at age 19 only because they were interrupted by their jobs. Many “free black” children attended school, however they were segregated (Separated from the white children. Sent to a separate school.) Reform on Children - School

How important was education during the 1800ʻs for children and their parents? Reform on Children - School

Reform for Women In the 1800ʻs, women: 1.Could NOT vote. 2.Could NOT hold office (Representative, Mayor, Governor). 3.If married, husband (man) had complete power over them. 4.If married and a woman owns property, it becomes the husbands property. 5.If married and a woman has a job, her pay would go to the husband.

Reform for Women In the 1800ʻs, women: 6.Could NOT speak in public, even about religion. 7.Could NOT become lawyers.

Reform for Women In 1836, College for women opened(First class of 90 women in 1839). – Called the Georgia Female College. Now known as Wesleyan College. Many women became teachers due to their educational opportunity. 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell, first woman doctor in the U.S. finished medical school.