1. Women and Reform, A Changing Workplace

2. Agenda
1. Bell Ringer: How did the efforts of William Lloyd Garrison aid in the struggle for emancipation? (5 minutes) 2. Notes: Women, Reform, and a Changing Workplace (25 minutes) 3. Video Clip: Mill Workers (Conditions Worsen, Strikes) (15 minutes) 4. Farm vs. Factory, who had a better life? Analysis (15 minutes) 5. Women’s Rights Analysis (Letter to the Editor PDF) HW:

3. Women’s Roles in the mid 1800s
Cult of Domesticity existed for many women.
Only acceptable jobs were in the home, raising kids and tending to the house.
No right to vote, and property became husbands after marriage.

4. Mobilizing for Reform
Women participated in a variety of reform movements in the 1800s.
Grimke sisters were abolitionists as well as sought women’s rights.
Supported by William Lloyd Garrison.
Temperance movement- against alcohol.
American Temperance society felt that alcohol would bring down the United States.
Emma Willard would lead an effort to further educate women, Troy Female Seminary.

5. Seneca Falls Convention
First convention to showcase the need for women’s rights.
Created a Declaration of sentiments that was similar to the Declaration of Independence.
“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men and women are created equal.”
Sojourner Truth would also advocate for abolition during this time period.

6. Changes in Industry
Initially we had cottage industries where people did finishing work in their homes.
Over time and with the advent of steam power, factories became the dominant form of industry.
Most of the work force in New England textiles were women, Lowell hired unmarried farm girls and they would live in boardinghouses.

7. From Farm to Factory
Women were hired so they could be paid lower wages.
Textiles paid better than teaching or farmhands.
Hours were long and conditions hard.
Windows were nailed shut to maintain high humidity, and keep the thread from breaking
When the mills instituted a 15% wage cut, changes had to be made.

8. Workers Seek Better Conditions
Lowell Mill workers strike in 1834 over the poor conditions.
Company prevails, and the strike leaders are fired. Workers are criticized and forced to return.
Strikes during the time period focused on wages and workday hours.
Increase in immigration during this time period had an influx of Irish workers.
Potato famine.
Paid low wages, and a nativist sentiment swept the northeast.
Journeymen attempted to organize in 1830s
Commonwealth v. Hunt allowed workers in Massachusetts to organize.