1. Reforming American Society
Explain how reform movements were inspired by the spiritual awakening of the 19th century.
Describe the institution of slavery and the abolitionist movement.
Discuss the central role that women played in 19th century reform movements.

2. A Spiritual Awakening Inspires Reform
The Second Great Awakening
Widespread Christian movement to awaken religious sentiments that lasted from the 1790’s to the 1830’s
Revivalism had a strong impact on the American public
Unitarians and Transcendentalists
Unitarians – Religious group that stressed faith in the individual
Instead of appealing to emotions, Unitarians emphasized reason as a path to perfection
Transcendentalism – Philosophical movement that emphasized that truth could be discovered by observing nature and relating it to one’s own emotional and spiritual experience
The African American Church
In the North, free African Americans created their own churches
Served as political, cultural, and social centers for African Americans
Abolition – The movement to abolish slavery

3. Slavery and Abolition Abolition Gains Strength William Lloyd Garrison
By the 1820’s, the abolition movement had taken hold
Some groups advocated the resettlement of African Americans in Africa
Others argued that African Americans should remain in the US as free citizens
William Lloyd Garrison
Radical white abolitionist
Published a paper called The Liberator that promoted immediate emancipation
Many black subscribers
Frederick Douglass
African American who was an outspoken critic of slavery
Douglas promoted abolition by means of non-violence
Published The North Star

4. Slavery and Abolition Life Under Slavery Turner’s Rebellion
The slave population of the 19th century was made up evenly of both men and women
The majority of slaves had been born in America and spoke English
Life of a Plantation Slave
Turner’s Rebellion
Some slaves rebelled against their condition of bondage
Nat Turner – Virginia slave who led a revolt in which slaves attacked and killed about 60 whites
Turner and his accomplices were eventually captured and executed

5. Women and Reform Women Mobilize for Reform
In the early 19th century, women faced limited options
Custom encouraged women to restrict their activities to the home and family
Women were denied full participation in the larger community
Despite their status, women actively participated in reform movements
Women played pivotal roles in both the abolition and temperance movements
Temperance Movement – Effort to prohibit the drinking of alcohol
Dorthea Dix – Reformer who fought to improve treatment for prisoners and the mentally disabled

6. Women and Reform Education for Women Women’s Rights Movement Emerges
Work for abolition and temperance accompanied gains in education for women
Throughout the 1800’s, more and more educational institutions for women began to appear
Educational opportunities were even more limited for African American women
Women’s Rights Movement Emerges
The reform movements of the mid-19th century fed the growth of the women’s movement by providing women with increased opportunities to act outside the home
Seneca Falls Convention (1848) – Women’s rights convention held in Seneca Falls, New York
Women called for the right to vote
In spite of all the political activity of middle-class white women, African American women found it difficult to gain recognition of their problems
Sojourner Truth – Outspoken African American abolitionist