APUSH Period 4 Key Terms & Proper Nouns Part 3

i got sand in my eye

Individualism

A social and political philosophy that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual, stressing self-reliance, personal independence, and responsibility for one's own actions and well-being. In the context of AP U.S. History, it was a key ideology behind westward expansion and the Transcendentalist movement, and it fueled individual achievement and freedom from collective or traditional constraints.

Romanticism

Romanticism was a cultural and artistic movement (roughly 1820s-1860s) that emphasized emotion, individualism, and nature over reason and the industrializing society of the time. It was a reaction against the Enlightenment and is known for key figures like Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, and Poe, who explored themes of the sublime in nature and the inner human experience. This movement significantly influenced various aspects of society, including literature, art, and music, as it sought to express the beauty of the natural world and the depth of human experience. It promoted ideas of freedom, exploration, and a connection to the natural environment as essential to the American experience.

Transcendentalism

An early 19th-century philosophical and literary movement, primarily in New England, that championed individual intuition, self-reliance, and a deep connection to nature. It encouraged individuals to seek truth through personal experience and challenged societal norms.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

A central figure of the transcendentalist movement, American essayist, lecturer, and philosopher who stressed self-reliance, individualism, and optimism. His influential essays, including "Self-Reliance," helped define a new American cultural identity.

Henry David Thoreau

American essayist, poet, and philosopher best known for his book 'Walden,' which reflects on simple living in natural surroundings and his views on individuality, society, and government. Thoreau's work is a significant part of the transcendentalist movement, which emphasizes the importance of nature and self-reliance as foundational elements of American culture. Thoreau's time at Walden Pond was transformative, shaping his critiques of modern society’s materialism and disconnection from nature. He argued that contemporary life was filled with distractions that hindered genuine personal growth. His observations about the natural world fostered an early environmental consciousness, prompting calls for sustainable living and appreciation for nature's role in human life. This legacy resonates today as environmental movements continue to seek balance between progress and ecological preservation. Additionally, he inspired civil disobedience practices as seen with Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi.

Brook Farm

A short-lived utopian community established in the 1840s by transcendentalists in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. It sought to combine intellectual and physical labor for a more equitable society but failed due to economic difficulties. 

Shakers

A religious sect that settled in America in the late 18th century and became known for their communal living, celibacy, and distinctive craftsmanship. They practiced gender equality and a unique style of worship that included ecstatic dancing. 

Oneida Community

A religious and social movement founded in the 1840s by John Humphrey Noyes in Oneida, New York. This community aimed to create a utopian society based on perfectionism, where members practiced communal living, shared property, and embraced complex marriage, challenging traditional norms and reflecting the broader reform movements of the time.

Second Great Awakening

A religious revival movement that occurred in the United States in the early 19th century. The movement was characterized by a renewed interest in Christianity and an increase in church membership, particularly among Baptists and Methodists. Many new religious denominations were formed during this time, and the influence of the established churches declined. It reacted against Enlightenment rationalism and, through fervent preaching, inspired various social reform movements like abolitionism, temperance, and women's rights. Key aspects include camp meetings, which brought people of different classes together, and influential preachers like Charles Grandison Finney, who promoted the idea that individuals could achieve salvation and improve society

Charles Grandison Finney

A leading evangelist of the Second Great Awakening known for his dramatic sermons and innovative revival techniques. He preached that salvation was available to all who chose to repent and advocated for social reforms like temperance. He was known for his innovative revivalist techniques and emphasis on personal conversion. His approach to preaching emphasized emotional engagement and the necessity of personal decision in achieving salvation, which helped spark religious fervor across the United States. Finney's influence extended beyond religion into social reforms, advocating for issues such as abolition and women's rights.

Mormons/Joseph Smith

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, founded by Joseph Smith in the early 19th century. After facing persecution, members migrated west under the leadership of Brigham Young to establish a community in Utah. Mormons played a significant role in westward expansion as they sought a place where they could practice their beliefs freely, ultimately settling in the Salt Lake Valley. Their migration and community-building efforts significantly impacted social and cultural development in the American West.

Temperance/American Temperance Society

The Temperance Movement was a social and political campaign advocating for the reduction or prohibition of alcohol consumption, particularly prominent in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This movement emerged as a response to the negative impacts of alcohol on society, including crime, poverty, and family disintegration, and it played a significant role in broader reform efforts during this period. The American Temperance Society was founded in 1826 and promoted the total abstinence from alcohol through rallies, lectures, and pamphlets. 

Lyman Beecher

A prominent Presbyterian minister and leader of the Second Great Awakening. He was a strong advocate for the temperance movement and promoted the need for moral reform in society. 

Dorothea Dix

An American social reformer and activist who championed more humane treatment for the mentally ill. Her efforts brought national attention to the plight of individuals with mental health issues, leading to significant reforms in mental health care and the establishment of more humane treatment practices across the United States.

Horace Mann

An American educational reformer known as the 'Father of the American Public School System.' He advocated for universal public education and believed that education was essential for democracy and social equality. Mann's ideas helped shape the modern education system in the United States, making education more accessible and organized during a time of significant social reform.

Separate sphere for women/Cult of Domesticity

A prevailing value system in the 19th century that idealized women's roles as devoted wives and mothers, emphasizing their place in the home as moral guardians of society. This belief reinforced the idea that women should focus on domestic responsibilities and raise children with strong moral values, thereby shaping American culture and family dynamics during this period. It emerged alongside significant social changes, influencing women's roles as the nation transitioned into industrialization and urbanization. The separate spheres said that men belonged to the public sphere (work, politics), and women belonged to the private sphere (home, family). This ideal prescribed women's roles as homemakers and mothers, focusing on piety, purity, submission, and domesticity, while confining them to the private realm and limiting their participation in public life. 

Angelina and Sarah Grimké

Sisters from a Southern slaveholding family who became prominent abolitionists and advocates for women's rights. They challenged the idea that women should not participate in public debates over controversial issues like slavery. They gained prominence for their powerful writings and speeches that challenged the norms of their time, highlighting the intersections of slavery and gender inequality during an era of significant reform movements.

Seneca Falls Convention

The first women's rights convention held in the United States, taking place in July 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York. It marked a pivotal moment in the early women's suffrage movement, as it was where activists gathered to discuss social, civil, and religious rights for women, producing the Declaration of Sentiments that called for gender equality. The convention not only emerged from this environment but also contributed to it by placing women's rights squarely on the national agenda, showcasing how interconnected social movements can lead to significant cultural shifts.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

A leading figure in the early women's rights movement in the United States, best known for her role in organizing the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 and for advocating for women's suffrage. Her activism and writings, particularly the Declaration of Sentiments, highlighted the inequalities faced by women and sought to challenge societal norms, connecting her work to a broader wave of reform movements aimed at promoting social justice and equality.

Declaration of Sentiments

A document, modeled after the Declaration of Independence, that was issued at the Seneca Falls Convention. It declared that "all men and women are created equal" and listed the grievances of women, including the lack of suffrage. 

American Colonization Society

An organization founded in 1817 that supported the deportation of African Americans to Africa, the Caribbean, or Central America. While supported by some abolitionists who believed a multiracial society was impossible, it was opposed by many African Americans. 

William Lloyd Garrison and “The Liberator”

William Lloyd Garrison was a prominent abolitionist and journalist who began publishing the radical abolitionist newspaper The Liberator in 1831. He is known for his radical stance on immediate emancipation, rejecting gradualism and arguing that slavery was a moral evil that needed to be abolished without delay. His fervent beliefs in equality and social justice connected with various reform movements during the early to mid-19th century, reflecting the broader context of social change and moral awakening that defined that era.

Frederick Douglass

A prominent African American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman who escaped from slavery and became a leading voice in the fight for the rights of African Americans. By sharing his story, Douglass not only raised awareness about slavery but also inspired others to join the fight for equality, showcasing how personal narratives can influence social movements. His powerful speeches and writings emphasized the need for equality and justice, making significant contributions to the movements advocating for abolition, women's rights (attended the Seneca Falls Convention), and civil rights.

Nat Turner Rebellion

A slave rebellion in Virginia in 1831 led by Nat Turner. The revolt resulted in the deaths of over 50 white people and intensified fears among white slaveholders, resulting in the passage of stricter slave codes. It also served as a powerful symbol of resistance for enslaved people and galvanized the abolitionist movement.