Unit 4: Reformers During Reforming an Era (RISING EXPECTATIONS)

these were all key figures who wanted to improve problems they saw needed fixing

Harriet Beecher Stowe; Document Uncle Tom’s Cabin, 1852

Issue: Abolition of Slavery

She was an American author and social activist who wrote her anti-slavery novel exposed the harsh realities of slavery.

This was a document that humanized enslaved people, intensified northern anti-slavery sentiment, increase sectional tensions leading to the Civil War, and help shift public opinion.

Dorothea Dix; Memorial to the Massachusetts Legislature, 1843

Issue: The Poor and Mentally ill

It petitioned the Massachusetts Legislature to pay for an expansion of a state insane asylum in Worcester. 

Provided evidence for the horrific treatment of mentally ill people, and advocated for the better treatment of those individuals, leading to the establishment of mental hospitals across the U.S

Frederick Douglas; Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas; An American Slave 1845

Issue: Abolition of Slavery

Being a formal slave himself, he wrote this to reveal the brutal realities of slavery, providing the intelligence and humanity of the enslaved. 

It inspired widespread support for the abolition of slavery. 

Charles Grandson Finney; Lectures on Revivals of Religion, 1825-1835

Issue: Equal education and Personal salvation

Being one of the most influential revivalist preachers, Finney wrote a guide for ministers that defended revivalism and showed how revivals could be planned by human effort.

WilIt reflected the Second Great Awakening, which promoted emotional preaching, individual salvation, and the belief that people could improve themselves and society through faith.

William Lloyd Garrison; The Liberator, 1831-1865

Issue: Abolition of Slavery

An anti-slavery newspaper that advocation for the immediate abolition of slavery and rights of Black Americans

It became a leading voice in the abolition movement, inspiring reformers and increasing tensions between the North and South over slavery.

Horace Mann; Common School Journal, 1838

Issue: Public education

It was a magazine that promoted universal education, explained school laws and duties of parents and teachers, and taught children proper behavior.

Helped shape and spread the idea of public education in the United States.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton; Declaration of Rights and Sentiments, 1848

Issue: Women’s Rights

A document that was modeled by the Declaration of Independence that listed the grievances and demands of women.

It was a grand movement for attaining the civil, social, political religious, and rights of women.

Ralph Waldo Emerson; Self-Reliance, 1841

Issue: Mechanicalism

An essay published that showed how humans would become like a machine and lose their individuality. 

It was a call for individualism and for people to trust their own instincts and thoughts over comforting to societal pressures and expectations. 

Lyman Beecher; Six Sermons on Temperance, 1842

Issue: Advocation of Temperance 

A series of Sermons that warned against the dangers of alcohol and promoted total abstinence. 

Contributed to local and state temperance laws, while also contribution of the American Temperance Movement.   

Jeremiah Lanphier; The Fulton Street Praying Meeting, 1857

Issue: Spiritual Decline and Lack of Faith

Weekly prayer gathering for businessmen that grew rapidly and helped spark the Second Great Awakening revival movement in cities.

It helped spread revivalism and encouraged personal faith and social reform in urban areas.

Sojourner Truth; “Ain’t I am Women?” 1851

Issue: African American Civil Rights and Women’s Rights

Speech delivered at a women’s rights convention in Ohio.

Challenged prevailing notions of racial and gender inequality, arguing that Black women deserve the same rights as white women and men.

David Walker; An appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World, 1829

Issue: Abolition of Slavery

A political pamphlet that denounced slavery and racism. It was a series of essays critiquing the powerful colonization movement and calling for the immediate abolition of slavery.

Offered a powerful vision on the ideas of Christianity, natural rights, and Americas founding creed. 

Sara and Angelina Grimke; Appeal to the Christian Women of the South, 1836

Issue: Abolition of Slavery and Women’s Rights

It was an anti-slavery pamphlet that connected women’s moral duty and Christianity to the fight against slavery.

It helped expand the abolition movement and inspired women’s activism in social reform.

Henry David Thoreau; On Civil Disobedience, 1849

Issue: Mechanicalism

An essay that argued that individuals should follow their conscience rather than obey unjust laws, in order to prevent humans from being robots and disregard nature.

It laid the foundation for the philosophy and morality of nonviolent resistance.

Sylvester Grant; The Graham Journal of Health and Longevity, 1836

IssueL Dietary Reformer

A health publication that promoted healthy living, including vegetarianism, whole-grain foods, temperance, and exercise.

It helped inspire health, diet, and moral reform movements in America.