chapter15

What were the main reasons for the emergence of reform movements in the early/mid-1800s (Age of Reform)?

The Age of Reform was spurred by liberalized social and religious philosophies from Europe, the Second Great Awakening (1790s - 1820s), and Romantic era (1800 - 1850) beliefs in "human perfectibility."

Define Deism.

A belief in God as the creator of the universe who established its rules but then steps back, allowing it to operate with little to no intervention. It focused on science and reason over religion and the Bible, asserting that God gave people the capacity for moral behavior without relying on religion.

Explain Unitarianism.

A religious philosophy that emphasized free will and the possibility of salvation through performing "good works." It was a spinoff from less extreme Puritanism/Calvinism, portraying God as a loving father rather than a stern Creator, and rejected predestination, "hellfire" doctrines, and the idea of innate human wickedness.

What was the Second Great Awakening (SGA)?

A Protestant religious movement from the 1790s to the 1820s characterized by waves of "revivals" and frontier "camp meetings" across the US. It was prompted by ideas of deism and unitarianism and a concern over a lack of religious zeal.

Who was Charles Grandison Finney?

A prominent preacher during the Second Great Awakening who led revivals in New York and spoke out strongly against the evils of alcohol and slavery.

What were some long-term effects of the Second Great Awakening?

It led to a greater toleration of Christian religions, the formation of new denominations like Methodists and Baptists (stressing emotional worship and personal conversion), an increase in evangelicalism, and the "feminization" of religion (greater involvement of women in church and reform movements).

Who founded the Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)?

Joseph Smith founded the Mormons in 1830 after claiming to receive golden plates from an angel, which became the "Book of Mormon." He was later murdered by an angry mob in Illinois in 1844.

Who led the Mormons to Utah and established "New Zion" (Salt Lake City)?

Brigham Young led the Mormons to Utah between 1844-1847 after Joseph Smith's death, establishing a prosperous frontier community.

Why was Utah's admission to the Union delayed until 1896?

Due to the Mormon practice of polygamy (multiple wives).

Who was Dorothy Dix?

A leading advocate during the Age of Reform who championed prison and mental health reform. Her discoveries about inhumane treatment led to professional medical care for the mentally ill.

What were the main benefits advocated for public education during the reform era?

Public education aimed to instill republican values (responsible, knowledgeable citizens), discipline and hard work, basic skills (reading, arithmetic), and to "Americanize" recent immigrants by teaching English.

Who was Horace Mann and what were his contributions to education reform?

As Secretary of the MA Board of Education, Horace Mann proposed reforms that included longer school terms, required attendance, an expanded curriculum, more schools, and higher pay for teachers. These reforms primarily benefited the North.

What were the primary issues addressed by the Temperance Movement?

The Temperance Movement sought to combat excessive drinking, domestic violence, and men squandering money on alcohol instead of supporting their families. It was also seen as a solution for maintaining a sober and efficient factory workforce and was sometimes associated with immigrant populations (Irish and Germans).

What was the American Temperance Society?

Created in 1826 by Lyman Beecher, this society urged members to limit or stop drinking through signed pledges, spread their "dry" (anti-alcohol) message through propaganda, and eventually advocated for legal prohibition, leading to laws like the Maine Law of 1851 and ultimately the 18th Amendment.

Define the "Cult of domesticity" for women in the early 19th century.

The belief that the home was the woman's special sphere, where she was responsible for running the household (cooking, cleaning) and raising children. While it provided some influence, many middle and upper-class women found it limiting.

What was "Republican motherhood"?

The idea that mothers had a crucial role in raising their children to be informed, active citizens, thereby contributing to the health of the republic.

Who were Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton?

Key advocates for women's suffrage (the right to vote) who organized and led the Seneca Falls Convention.

What was the Seneca Falls Convention (1848)?

Held in New York, this convention produced the "Declaration of Sentiments," stating "All men and women are created equal," and explicitly demanded women's suffrage. It launched the modern women's rights movement and eventually contributed to the 19th Amendment.

What was the core idea of Transcendentalism (1830s - 1840s)?

The belief that "truth" transcends objective reality and includes the senses, and that every person possesses an "inner light" capable of discovering the highest truths.

Who was Ralph Waldo Emerson and what was his major work?

A prominent Transcendentalist writer who stressed self-reliance, self-improvement, self-discipline, and freedom. In his 1837 speech "The American Scholar" at Harvard, he challenged Americans to develop their own distinct art and culture.

Who was Henry David Thoreau and what were his significant writings?

A Transcendentalist writer known for "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" (1849), which explained his refusal to pay taxes during the Mexican War (viewed as unjust) and later inspired Gandhi and MLK, Jr. His work "Walden" (1854) documented his two years living in nature, promoting self-discovery and wilderness preservation.

List some examples of Utopian communities during the reform era.

Examples include the Mormons (religious), Brook Farm (a secular, humanistic transcendentalist experiment), New Harmony (created by socialist Robert Owen), and Oneida (a "free love" community practicing "complex marriages" and eugenics). Most non-religious communities ultimately failed.