Americans in the Mid-1800s Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts regarding the major reforms and societal structures in the United States during the mid-1800s, focusing on the Spirit of Reform, social movements, economic activity in the North and South, and the treatment of various groups.

Spirit of Reform

A movement in the mid-1800s aimed at improving societal issues.

Second Great Awakening

A religious revival that prompted social reform movements in the U.S.

Charles G. Finney

southern preacher during the 2nd great awakening, teaching that God sees everyone as equals, including slaves.

Transcendentalism

A philosophical movement advocating for intuition and the individual's connection to nature.

Henry David Thoreau

A transcendentalist author. He spent 2 years in the woods and wrote a book about living close to nature.

Dorothea Dix

An activist who worked toward prison reform and improved mental health treatment.

Horace Mann

An education reformer who advocated for universal public education. Antioch College, known as “Father of American education”. Made the rule where no student could be discriminated against bc of race.

Abolitionists

Individuals who sought to end slavery in the United States.

Sojourner Truth

An African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist.

Seneca Falls Convention

The first women's rights convention held in 1848, leading to the Declaration of Sentiments.

Eli Whitney

Inventor of the cotton gin, revolutionizing cotton production in the South. Got ideas from england.

Industrial Revolution

A period of significant industrial growth and technological advancements in the North.

Transportation of the North/ south

Included roads, railroads, and river travel, facilitating trade and movement./ half as many railroads than the north, river boats

Slave Code

Laws that defined the status of slaves and the rights of masters.

1. if a white person killed a black person, it didn’t count

2. slaves couldn’t leave their owners/ plantations without permission

3. couldn’t buy or sell things

4. couldn’t testify in court

Brooke Farm

example of a utopian community “Brotherly cooperation”

ralph waldo emerson

control figure in the second great awakening

Oberlin college

first to let black people in to the college

antioch college

first to let men and women go to school there

prudence crandall

principal who let black girls into her school. ended up getting arrested. ended up forming her own school for african americans

george ripley

founder of Brooke farm