APUSH Unit 4: Reform Movements

Temperance movement

American Temperance Society formed 1826. Aimed at helping and redeeming the habitual drinker and the occasional drinker. Lowered number of drinkers by more than half. Encouraged total abstinence form alcohol.

Effects of Temperance movement

Left society less democratic. Catholic immigrants weren't fond of the protestant reforms. Many saw as a threat to freedom. Aroused considerable hostility.

Democratic society

Freedom, liberty, equality, opportunity

Goals of reform movements

1.) Address evils and abuses in society

2.) Make society more democratic

Abolition

Crusade against slavery based on morals. Many saw colonization as the only way to rid the nation of slavery. Black convention made as response to avoid deportation because they saw themselves as true Americans. Saw slavery as a sin. Expansion of literacy helped spread the message. Theodore Weld Young- Minister who argued against slavery. American Colonization Society.

Effects of Abolition

David Walker wrote "An appeal to the coloured citizens of the world" the hope to be american. Lloyd Garrison wrote "Thoughts on African colonization" which called for urgent end of slavery. Made society more democratic.

Women's Rights Movement

Many women were involved in meetings, parades, petitions and involved in the Abolition and Temperance movements. Grimke Sisters avid speakers sparked the movement in the 1840's. International movement. Sojourner Truth an African American argued avidly against slavery.

Effects of Women's Rights Movement

Seneca Falls Convention of 1848. Elizabeth Cady Stanton authored their Declaration of rights and sentiments that documented sexism between men and women. Demand rights to education and to work, to vote. Rise of feminism. Argued for suffrage. Made society more democratic.

Prison/Mentally Ill Reform

Instituted jails for criminals, poorhouses for the destitute, asylums for the insane & orphanages for the homeless children. Made to turn the bad into good, but they just got overcrowded. Lucy Colman opposed capital punishment. Dorothea Dix supported the building of asylums (argued for basic human treatment)

Effects of Prison/Mentally Ill Reform

"Perfectionism" the bad people could be "fixed". South to correct the criminals, house the orphans, cure the mentally ill, and help the poor. Made society more democratic.

Education Reform

Horace Mann-Common school. Tax supported state schools open to all children. Mann promoted liberalism, radicalism, conservatism and social control. Sought to teach importance of attendance and organization. 1860 these school were instituted.

Effects of Education Reform

Wanted to help poorer children gain way in the world. Wanted to bridge gap between opportunity between rich and poor youth. Social advancement to bring up the Average American. Sought as a way to control the new generation of American making good citizens. Restore equality. Made society more democratic.

Utopian Communities

People wanted these to counteract the effects of the market revolution or to escape religious conviction. Men had no "property" over women. Emphasized the importance of community and having no differences- no one owned property therefore everyone was on the same economic stand point. Goal: form an alternative to competitive society.

Effect of Utopian Communities

Thomas More "Utopia" outlined the perfect society. Narrows gap between rich and poor and to reinstitute social harmony. Property owned by community, not the individual. Made society slighlty more democratic.