Untitled Note

Reform Movements 1820s-1850s

• Scope: Significant social changes aimed at improving societal conditions in the United States before the Civil War, with modern parallels.

Goals of the Unit

• Define key terms: reform, society.

• Identify pre-Civil War societal problems and modern equivalents.

• Understand the catalysts for 19th-century reform movements.

Big Idea

• Motivation: The desire for improved lives and societal conditions.

Definition of Society

• Concept: The community and population at large.

Major Reform Movements

Historical Context (1820s-1850s)

• Women’s Rights

• Temperance Movement

• Abolition of Slavery

• Common School Movement

• Prison and Mental Illness Reforms

Contemporary Issues

• Women’s Rights: Ongoing struggle for equality.

• Substance Abuse: Drug and alcohol use remains a concern.

• Minority Rights: Pursuit of equality and justice persists.

• Education for All: Push for inclusivity in education systems.

• Prison Reform: Demand for justice and humane treatment.

• Mental Health Awareness: Addressing and improving mental health care.

Big Idea on Change

• Change can be instigated by individuals or small groups.

Factors Leading to Reform Movements

• Jacksonian Democracy: Empowerment of the average citizen in government.

• Second Great Awakening: Religious revival promoting universal salvation through good works.

• Utopian Societies: Attempts to create perfect communities.

• Transcendentalism: Philosophical movement encouraging societal questioning.

Current Societal Problems**

• Concerns in contemporary society echo those before the Civil War.

• Notable areas: Women’s Rights, substance abuse, minority rights, education, prison system, mental health.

Women’s Rights Movement

Key Figures

• Elizabeth Cady Stanton

• Lucretia Mott

• Susan B. Anthony

• Sojourner Truth

Goals of Women’s Rights Activists

• Achieve equal rights, including:

  • Suffrage (right to vote)

  • Property rights

  • Access to education

Historical Context

• Awareness arose from involvement in other movements, like abolition.

• Travel and discussions at events like the World Anti-Slavery Convention highlighted women's lack of rights.

The Seneca Falls Convention

Event Details

• Date: July 19, 1848

• Location: Seneca Falls, NY

• Significance: First official women's rights meeting with both male and female delegates.

• Resolutions Passed: Included demands for women's suffrage; notably accepted despite division.

Aftermath

• Initiated an organized women’s rights movement.

• Progresses made in women’s property rights, yet opposition persisted.

Notable Leaders in the Movement

Susan B. Anthony

• Encouraged education; built alliances, especially across races.

• Helped pass laws benefiting women, prominently remembered today.

The Abolition Movement

Definition & Key Terms

• Goal: To end slavery.

• Key Terms including abolitionist, emancipation, injustice, etc.

Prominent Leaders

William Lloyd Garrison

• Advocated for immediate emancipation and racial equality.

• Used publications like "The Liberator" to influence public opinion.

Frederick Douglass

• Emphasized emancipation and equality.

• Utilized public speaking and writing, facing significant personal risk.

Harriet Tubman

• Worked to rescue enslaved individuals via the Underground Railroad.

• Known for bravery and significant contributions to the cause.

The Treatment of the Mentally Ill

Key Leader: Dorothea Dix

• Advocated for improved treatment for the mentally ill; documented inhumane conditions in prisons.

Historical Perspective

• Prior views equated mental illness with moral failure, leading to harsh treatment.

• Prevailed upon legislative action resulting in the establishment of mental health facilities.

Temperance Movement

Leadership and Goals

• Spearheaded by the American Temperance Union; aimed to curb alcohol misuse.

• Alcohol was seen as a catalyst for crime and societal issues.

Campaign Details

• Emergence of organized societies against alcohol abuse in response to its societal impact.

Education Reform

Leader: Horace Mann

• Focused on providing education to all Americans for better governance.

• Advocated for tax-supported public schools (Common Schools).

Developments

• Significant historical laws began educational support; however, disparities existed by region.

• Increasing public education was seen as essential to a functional democracy.

Challenges Moving Forward

• Despite growth, many groups remained neglected (women, minorities).

• Continued efforts needed for equality in education access.