Chapter 13 Chapter 13

Coming to Terms Coming to Terms With the New Age,With the New Age,

1820s—1850s1820s—1850s

““Americans love their Americans love their country not as it is but as country not as it is but as

it will be.”it will be.” Foreigner Francis Grund Foreigner Francis Grund 

““Why Lizzie, thee will Why Lizzie, thee will make us ridiculous.”make us ridiculous.”  

Lucretia Mott, 1848Lucretia Mott, 1848

IntroductionIntroduction

Lewis Tappin, Roger BaldwinLewis Tappin, Roger Baldwin Angelina and Sarah Grimke, Dwight Angelina and Sarah Grimke, Dwight

WeldWeld John Humphrey Noyes, OneidaJohn Humphrey Noyes, Oneida Robert Owen, New HarmonyRobert Owen, New Harmony Karl MarxKarl Marx Train cities, instant cities, walking citiesTrain cities, instant cities, walking cities Political, economic, social, cultural, Political, economic, social, cultural,

intellectual, environmental, “history”intellectual, environmental, “history”

Chapter Focus QuestionsChapter Focus Questions What impact did the new 1840s & What impact did the new 1840s &

1850s immigration have on American 1850s immigration have on American cities?cities?

Why did urbanization produce so many Why did urbanization produce so many problems?problems?

What motivated the social reformers of What motivated the social reformers of the period?the period? [ [Were they benevolent Were they benevolent helpers or dictatorial social controllershelpers or dictatorial social controllers? ? Study several reform causes and discuss Study several reform causes and discuss similarities and differences among them.]similarities and differences among them.]

Abolitionism differed little from other Abolitionism differed little from other reforms in its tactics, but the effects of reforms in its tactics, but the effects of antislavery activism were politically antislavery activism were politically explosive. Why was this so?explosive. Why was this so?

Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882 -- Transcendentalist philosopher

Nathaniel Hawthorne 1804-1864 The Scarlet Letter [1850]

“The Wayside” at Concord, MA – home to both Hawthorne and Louisa May Alcott

Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862 Walden, 1854

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 1807-1882 -- Paul Revere’s Ride, The Song of Hiawatha, Evangeline

Longfellow’s home in Cambridge, MA – taught Harvard modern languages, 1836-1854

Noah Webster 1758-1843 -- an ardent Federalist, published 1806 dictionary

Horace Mann 1796-1859 -- Sec. of the MA state board of education, Rep. 1849-1853

A page from McGuffey’s Reader, first published by William Holmes McGuffey

1800-1873 [6 editions, 122 million copies, used until the 1920s]

Prudence Crandell 1803-1889 -- Quaker school teacher who admitted an

African American to her Canterbury, Conn. school – Conn passed new law in 1833 making this illegal – she was later jailed twice for breaking this law

Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet 1787-1851

Started first free school for education of the deaf in Philadelphia in 1817

Edward Miner Gallaudet 1837-1918 – Son of Thomas Gallaudet, opened

Washington, D.C. school for the deaf

NY Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb in early 19th century

[LA public hospital of 1930s was free for the poor!]

Samuel Gridley Howe 1801-1876 -- Ran New England Asylum for the Blind for 44 years

Dorothea Lynde Dix 1802-1887 -- Between 1838 & Civil War lobbied to

improve conditions for insane – led to new hospitals and asylums in 15 states and Canada

NY Lunatic Asylum –cure insane through kind treatment and healthful living conditions

Robert Mills 1781-1855 -- South Carolina architect – designed asylum with

private rooms for each inmate, fresh air circulation

“Widows’ and Orphans’ Asylum in Philadelphia -- this publicly funded institution replaced privately funded ones

Auburn, NY State Prison -- belief that the environment, not character created criminals

University of Virginia at Charlottesville, founded in 1819 – an “academic village”

Transylvania University at Lexington, Kentucky -- founded in 1780

“Slab Hall” or “Cincinnati Hall,” one of 1st dormitory buildings at Oberlin College, built in 1835 [Founded when Lane Seminary in Cincinnati refused to endorse the immediate abolition of slavery -- Theodore Dwight Weld led

students to form their own college!]

Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, 1836 -- first college for the higher

education of “daughters” in South Hadley, MA

Washington, D.C.’s Smithsonian Institution, founded in 1846 with a legacy

from James Smithsonian of London

One of earliest US Sunday schools in Beverly, MA -- new focus on children,

their education, and “Republican motherhood”

Charles Grandison Finney 1792-1875 – Presbyterian minister by 21, then became Congregationalist and revivalist – president of Oberlin College, 1851-

1865

William Ellery Channing 1780-1842 -- father of American Unitarianism in 1819 – humanitarianism, rationality, and religious toleration – influenced Transcendentalists

Robert Owen 1771-1858 -- British social reformer, established several model industrial communities including New Harmony, Indiana -- environment creates the human society which was perfectible through cooperation

“A Bird’s Eye view of one of the new communities at New Harmony, Indiana, an association of two thousand persons formed upon the principles advocated by Robert

Owen.” Founded in 1825 and dissolved in 1827, its residents founded the first US kindergarten, the first free public school, and the first free public library. Drawing of

the plan created by architect Stedman Whitwell in 1828

Ann Lee’s “Shakers” – United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing -- 1774 in NY, celibacy, 6,000 members in 1830s

Shaker Village of Alfred, Maine – millenium sect with communal life

Oneida, NY community’s business office, founded by John Humphrey Noyes in 1848 – corporate marriage of all members to each other – communal care of

children

Iowa’s Amana Community, founded in 1855

Joseph Smith 1805-1844, founded Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints based on visions from God at Palmyra, NY in 1827 and published in Book of

Mormon in 1829

Nauvoo, Illinois Mormon Temple -- burned by mob, anti-polygamists and anti-

communally owned property

Brigham Young 1801-1877

Mormons emigrating to Utah in 1847

Salt Lake City in 1855

Arthur Tappan 1786-1865 -- he and brother Lewis were NY evangelicals and wealthy silk merchants – helped fund American Anti-Slavery Society [he

became the president], The Liberator, Lane Seminary, and Oberlin College

Theodore Dwight Weld 1803-1895 -- a disciple of Finney, attempted to radicalize the Lane Theological Seminary – married Angelina Emily Grimke [1805-1879] in 1838 – his 1839 American Slavery as it Is was a source for

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Sarah Moore Grimke 1792-1873 – to Philadelphia from Charleston to protest slavery

James G. Birney 1792-1857 -- founded Kentucky Anti-Slavery Society, co-founder of 1840 Liberty Party, its candidate for president in 1840 and 1844

William Lloyd Garrison 1805-1879 -- first militant white voice for immediate abolition [Free African Americans had opposed colonization in Africa and

gradual emancipation]

Masthead of William Lloyd Garrison’s newspaper on August 13, 1831

Issue #1 on Jan. 1, 1831 reads: “I am in earnest – I will not equivocate – I will not excuse – I will not retreat a single inch – AND I WILL BE

HEARD.”

Frederick Douglass 1817-1895 -- escaped from slavery in 1838,

autobiography in 1845, The North Star newspaper

Elijah P. Lovejoy 1802-1837 – Nov. 7, 1837 in Alton, Illinois, his 4th press

was destroyed and he was killed by proslavery men from Missouri

Wendell Phillips 1811-1884 -- Boston Common speech

Lucretia Mott 1793-1880 -- active in antislavery movement, Society of Friends, denied opportunity to attend 1840 World’s Anti-slavery Convention

in London as woman, women’s rights leader

Susan B. Anthony 1820-1906 [standing] and Elizabeth Cady Stanton 1815-

1902 -- first women’s rights convention at Seneca Falls, NY in 1848

Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s home in Seneca Falls, NY [after 1905 restoration]

Sarah Josepha Hale 1788-1879 – accepted “separate spheres” instead of political equality – 40 year editor of pioneer women’s magazine, Godey’s

Lady’s Book and co-founder of Vassar College

Jane Addams 1860 - 1935

ChronologyChronology1820s      Shaker colonies grow 1820s      Shaker colonies grow 1825        New Harmony 1825        New Harmony 1827        Public school movement begins in Mass. (Horace Mann) 1827        Public school movement begins in Mass. (Horace Mann) 1830        Joseph Smith founds Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints 1830        Joseph Smith founds Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints

(Mormons) (Mormons) 1833        American Anti-Slavery Society founded by Garrison and 1833        American Anti-Slavery Society founded by Garrison and

Theodore WeldTheodore Weld 1834        First Female Moral Reform Society (NY); National Trades 1834        First Female Moral Reform Society (NY); National Trades

UnionUnion1837        Sarah and Angela Grimké – equality of races and sexes 1837        Sarah and Angela Grimké – equality of races and sexes 1840s      Boston and NY City complete public water systems1840s      Boston and NY City complete public water systems 1843        Dorothea Dix spearheads asylum reform movement 1843        Dorothea Dix spearheads asylum reform movement 1844        Joseph Smith killed; Mormon migration to Great Salt Lake 1844        Joseph Smith killed; Mormon migration to Great Salt Lake

in in 1846 1846 1845        NY creates city police force 1845        NY creates city police force 1848        Women’s Rights Convention at Seneca Falls; John Noyes 1848        Women’s Rights Convention at Seneca Falls; John Noyes

founds Oneida Communityfounds Oneida Community

RecommendedRecommendedDegler, Carl N. Degler, Carl N. At Odds: Women and the Family in America from the At Odds: Women and the Family in America from the

Revolution to the PresentRevolution to the Present. (1980). (1980)Douglass, Frederick. Douglass, Frederick. The Narrative of the Life of Frederick The Narrative of the Life of Frederick

Douglass, An American SlaveDouglass, An American Slave. (1845). (1845)Gutman, Herbert G. Gutman, Herbert G. Work, Culture, & Society in Work, Culture, & Society in

Industrializing America:  Essays in American Working-Class Industrializing America:  Essays in American Working-Class HistoryHistory. (1976). (1976)

Handlin, Oscar. Handlin, Oscar. Boston’s Immigrants: A Study in AcculturationBoston’s Immigrants: A Study in Acculturation. . (Revised 1959) and (Revised 1959) and The Uprooted The Uprooted (1951)(1951)

Lerner, Gerda. Lerner, Gerda. The Grimké Sisters from South Carolina: Pioneers for The Grimké Sisters from South Carolina: Pioneers for Women’s Rights and AbolitionWomen’s Rights and Abolition. (1967). (1967)

Nash, Gary B. Nash, Gary B. Forging Freedom:  Philadelphia’s Black Community, Forging Freedom:  Philadelphia’s Black Community, 1720-18401720-1840. (1988). (1988)

Mintz, Steven.  Mintz, Steven.  Moralists and Modernizers:  America’s Pre-Civil War Moralists and Modernizers:  America’s Pre-Civil War ReformersReformers. (1995). (1995)

Pessen, Edward. Pessen, Edward. Most Uncommon Jacksonians:  The Radical Leaders Most Uncommon Jacksonians:  The Radical Leaders of the Early Labor Movementof the Early Labor Movement. (1967). (1967)

Sklar, Kathryn. Sklar, Kathryn. Catharine Beecher:  A Study in American DomesticityCatharine Beecher:  A Study in American Domesticity. . (1973)(1973)

A: Seneca Falls A: Seneca Falls

In 1848, almost 300 male and female In 1848, almost 300 male and female reformers gathered for the Seneca Falls reformers gathered for the Seneca Falls women’s rights convention. women’s rights convention.

The participants passed resolutions calling The participants passed resolutions calling for a wide range of rights for women, for a wide range of rights for women, including the right to vote. including the right to vote.

Women’s rights was just one of many reform Women’s rights was just one of many reform movements of the time that emerged to movements of the time that emerged to respond to societal issues raised by the respond to societal issues raised by the dislocations of the market revolutiondislocations of the market revolution

B: Urban AmericaB: Urban America

The Growth of Cities in The Growth of Cities in Perspective Perspective

The market revolution increased the size cities, The market revolution increased the size cities, beginning in the seaports.beginning in the seaports.

With one exception, the largest cities in 1800 With one exception, the largest cities in 1800 kept that status in 1850. kept that status in 1850.

Preindustrial cities were geographically Preindustrial cities were geographically small "walking cities" that fostered the small "walking cities" that fostered the mingling of social classes.mingling of social classes.

Due to the market revolution, urban population Due to the market revolution, urban population rapidly grew between 1820 and 1860. rapidly grew between 1820 and 1860. Tremendous amounts of commerce passed Tremendous amounts of commerce passed through the older port cities. through the older port cities.

““Instant” cities like Chicago sprang up at critical Instant” cities like Chicago sprang up at critical transportation points in the interior. transportation points in the interior.

Patterns of ImmigrationPatterns of Immigration

Immigration was a key part of urban Immigration was a key part of urban growth. growth.

Beginning in 1830 immigration Beginning in 1830 immigration soared, particularly in the soared, particularly in the North. North.

Immigrants came largely from Immigrants came largely from Ireland, Germany, and China.Ireland, Germany, and China.

Irish, German, and Chinese Irish, German, and Chinese ImmigrationImmigration

Irish ImmigrationIrish Immigration::

(1) Potato famine, (2) settlement in east, (3) (1) Potato famine, (2) settlement in east, (3) discrimination and poor working and living discrimination and poor working and living conditions. conditions.

Chinese ImmigrationChinese Immigration::

(1) Gold Rush, (2) discrimination.(1) Gold Rush, (2) discrimination. German immigrationGerman immigration::

•• (1) Market forces stimulated immigration, (1) Market forces stimulated immigration, (2)settled in the Midwest.(2)settled in the Midwest.

All three groups developed strong ethnic All three groups developed strong ethnic communities.communities.

Irish and German Immigrant Irish and German Immigrant Employment in New York Employment in New York

City,1855City,1855

Irish immigrants were clustered Irish immigrants were clustered in laborer and domestic jobs.in laborer and domestic jobs.

German immigrants were German immigrants were clustered in skilled trades.clustered in skilled trades.

Class Structure and Living Class Structure and Living PatternsPatterns

The gap between rich and poor grew The gap between rich and poor grew rapidly.rapidly.

Economic class was reflected by residence Economic class was reflected by residence as:as: poor people (nearly 70 percent of the city) poor people (nearly 70 percent of the city)

lived in cheap rented housinglived in cheap rented housing middle-class residents (25-30 percent) middle-class residents (25-30 percent)

lived in more comfortable homeslived in more comfortable homes very rich (about 3 percent) built mansions very rich (about 3 percent) built mansions

and large town houses.and large town houses.

Health, Sanitation and Health, Sanitation and ResidenceResidence

In the early nineteenth century, cities had no adequate In the early nineteenth century, cities had no adequate sanitation systems, leading to disease epidemics. sanitation systems, leading to disease epidemics.

The introduction of sanitation systems furthered The introduction of sanitation systems furthered residential segregation as:residential segregation as: the wealthy clustered in neighborhoods with these the wealthy clustered in neighborhoods with these

servicesservices the middle-class moved to new suburban areasthe middle-class moved to new suburban areas the poor became packed in dirty and crime-ridden the poor became packed in dirty and crime-ridden

slumsslums

Ethnic Neighborhoods and Ethnic Neighborhoods and Urban Popular CultureUrban Popular Culture

Irish and German immigrants created Irish and German immigrants created ethnic enclaves to maintain cultural ethnic enclaves to maintain cultural tradition and institutions. tradition and institutions.

A new urban popular culture A new urban popular culture emerged that challenged middle emerged that challenged middle class respectability centering class respectability centering around:around: the tavernthe tavern theaterstheaters the penny pressthe penny press

Civic OrderCivic Order Americans grew concerned that the Americans grew concerned that the

cities would become centers of disorder.cities would become centers of disorder. Prosperous classes were frightened Prosperous classes were frightened

by the urban poor and by working-by the urban poor and by working-class rowdyism.class rowdyism.

Cities began to hire more city watchmen Cities began to hire more city watchmen and to create police forces to keep order. and to create police forces to keep order.

Urban riots did break out, frequently Urban riots did break out, frequently against Catholics and African Americans. against Catholics and African Americans.

The Urban Life of The Urban Life of Free African AmericansFree African Americans

About half of the nation’s free African Americans lived About half of the nation’s free African Americans lived in the North, mainly in cities, where they encountered:in the North, mainly in cities, where they encountered: residential segregationresidential segregation job discriminationjob discrimination segregated public schoolssegregated public schools limits on their civil rights limits on their civil rights

Free African Americans formed community Free African Americans formed community support networks, newspapers, and churches. support networks, newspapers, and churches.

The economic prospects of African American men The economic prospects of African American men deteriorated. deteriorated.

Free African Americans engaged in antislavery Free African Americans engaged in antislavery activities, but were frequent targets of urban violence.activities, but were frequent targets of urban violence.

C: The Labor C: The Labor Movement and Movement and Urban PoliticsUrban Politics

The Tradition and Decline of The Tradition and Decline of Artisanal Politics Artisanal Politics

American cities had long been centers of organized American cities had long been centers of organized artisans and skilled workers.artisans and skilled workers.

Worker associations, parades and celebrations were Worker associations, parades and celebrations were parts of the urban community. parts of the urban community.

By the 1830s, the skilled craft workers were being By the 1830s, the skilled craft workers were being undercut by industrialization.undercut by industrialization.

Workers’ associations became increasingly class-Workers’ associations became increasingly class-conscious turning to fellow laborers for support. conscious turning to fellow laborers for support.

Initially, urban worker protest against change focused Initially, urban worker protest against change focused on party politics, including the short-lived Workingmen's on party politics, including the short-lived Workingmen's Party. Party.

Both major parties tried to woo the votes of Both major parties tried to woo the votes of organized workers.organized workers.

The Union Movement The Union Movement

Workers organized trade unions and formed Workers organized trade unions and formed city-wide city-wide “General Trades Unions.”“General Trades Unions.”

The local groups then organized the The local groups then organized the National Trades Union.National Trades Union.

The trade union movement was met with The trade union movement was met with hostility and most collapsed during the hostility and most collapsed during the Panic of 1837. Panic of 1837.

Early unions included only skilled Early unions included only skilled white workers. white workers.

Big-City Machines Big-City Machines Competition for the votes of workers shaped urban politics.Competition for the votes of workers shaped urban politics. Big-city machines arose reflecting the class structure Big-city machines arose reflecting the class structure

of the fat-growing cities. of the fat-growing cities. The machines cultivated feelings of community by:The machines cultivated feelings of community by:

appealing directly for working-class votes through mass appealing directly for working-class votes through mass organizational activitiesorganizational activities

creating organizations that met basic needs of the urban creating organizations that met basic needs of the urban poor poor

The machines also had a tight organizational The machines also had a tight organizational structure headed by bosses who traded loyalty and structure headed by bosses who traded loyalty and votes for political jobs and services, leading to votes for political jobs and services, leading to charges of corruption.charges of corruption.

D: Social Reform D: Social Reform MovementsMovements

Evangelism, Reform Evangelism, Reform and Social Control and Social Control

Middle-class Americans respondedMiddle-class Americans responded to the dislocations of to the dislocations of the market revolution by promoting various reform campaigns. the market revolution by promoting various reform campaigns.

Evangelical religion drove the reform spirit forward.Evangelical religion drove the reform spirit forward. Reformers recognized that:Reformers recognized that:

traditional small-scale methods of reform no longer workedtraditional small-scale methods of reform no longer worked the need was for larger-scale institutions the need was for larger-scale institutions

The doctrine of perfectionism combined with a basic belief in the goodness of people and moralistic dogmatism characterized reform.

Regional and national reform organizations emerged from Regional and national reform organizations emerged from local projects to deal with various social problems.local projects to deal with various social problems.

Reformers mixed political and social activities and tended to Reformers mixed political and social activities and tended to seek to use the power of the state to promote their ends.seek to use the power of the state to promote their ends.

Education and Women Education and Women Teachers Teachers

Educational reformers changed the traditional ways of Educational reformers changed the traditional ways of educating children by:educating children by: no longer viewing children seen as sinners whose wills no longer viewing children seen as sinners whose wills

had to be brokenhad to be broken seeing children innocents who needed gentle nurturing. seeing children innocents who needed gentle nurturing.

The work of Horace Mann and others led to tax-The work of Horace Mann and others led to tax-supported compulsory public schools.supported compulsory public schools.

Women were seen as more nurturing and Women were seen as more nurturing and encouraged to become teachers, creating the first encouraged to become teachers, creating the first real career opportunity for women.real career opportunity for women.

The Saloon and Reform The Saloon and Reform

Reformers attacked the immigrant Reformers attacked the immigrant saloon for promoting drinking and saloon for promoting drinking and being centers for organizing political being centers for organizing political machines.machines.

The Drunkard’s Progress The Drunkard’s Progress

Temperance tracts painted a lurid Temperance tracts painted a lurid picture of the effects of alcohol.picture of the effects of alcohol.

“The Drunkard’s Progress, from the first glass to the grave.” 1846 lithograph

by Nathaniel Currier

TemperanceTemperance

Middle-class reformers sought to change Middle-class reformers sought to change Americans’ drinking of alcohol habits. Americans’ drinking of alcohol habits. Temperance was seen as a panacea for all Temperance was seen as a panacea for all social problems. social problems.

Prompted by the Panic of 1837, the Prompted by the Panic of 1837, the working class joined the temperance working class joined the temperance crusade. crusade.

By the mid-1840s alcohol By the mid-1840s alcohol consumption had been cut in half.consumption had been cut in half.

Moral Reform, Asylums, Moral Reform, Asylums, and Prisons and Prisons

Reformers also attacked prostitution Reformers also attacked prostitution by organizing charity for poor women by organizing charity for poor women and through tougher criminal and through tougher criminal penalties but had little success. penalties but had little success.

The asylum movement promoted The asylum movement promoted humane treatment of the insane and humane treatment of the insane and criminals, but criminals, but prison often failedprison often failed to to meet their purposes.meet their purposes.

Reform Movements in the Reform Movements in the Burned-Over DistrictBurned-Over District

The region of New York most changed by the Erie The region of New York most changed by the Erie Canal was a fertile ground for religious and Canal was a fertile ground for religious and reform movements, earning the name Burned-reform movements, earning the name Burned-Over District.Over District.

The reform movements originating or thriving The reform movements originating or thriving there included:there included: the Mormon Churchthe Mormon Church utopian groups like the Millerites and Fourieritesutopian groups like the Millerites and Fourierites antislavery sentimentantislavery sentiment the women's rights movementthe women's rights movement;;

Utopianism Utopianism Amid the reform fervor some people formed Amid the reform fervor some people formed

utopian communities. utopian communities. Religious utopians like the Millerites and Religious utopians like the Millerites and Shakers Shakers

saw an apocalyptic end of historysaw an apocalyptic end of history. The Shakers . The Shakers also practiced celibacy amid a fellowship of also practiced celibacy amid a fellowship of equality. equality.

Conversely, John Humphrey Noyes’s Oneida Conversely, John Humphrey Noyes’s Oneida Community practiced “complex marriage.” Community practiced “complex marriage.”

New Harmony and the various Fourier-inspired New Harmony and the various Fourier-inspired communities unsuccessfully attempted a kind of communities unsuccessfully attempted a kind of socialism. socialism.

MormonismMormonism

The most successful communitarian The most successful communitarian movement was Mormonism. movement was Mormonism.

Founded by Joseph Smith and Founded by Joseph Smith and harassed by others, the Mormons harassed by others, the Mormons migrated to Utah.migrated to Utah.

E: Antislavery and E: Antislavery and AbolitionismAbolitionism

Abolition Before 1820Abolition Before 1820

Various antislavery steps had been Various antislavery steps had been taken prior to the 1820s. taken prior to the 1820s.

But they had not addressed the But they had not addressed the continuing reality of Southern slavery. continuing reality of Southern slavery.

The ineffective American Colonization The ineffective American Colonization Society resettled a small number of Society resettled a small number of free African Americans in Africa where free African Americans in Africa where they founded Liberia. they founded Liberia.

African Americans’ Fight African Americans’ Fight Against Slavery Against Slavery

Free African Americans rejected Free African Americans rejected colonization.colonization.

They founded abolitionist societies They founded abolitionist societies that:that: demanded equal treatmentdemanded equal treatment demanded an end to slaverydemanded an end to slavery encouraged slave rebellions. encouraged slave rebellions.

Abolitionists Abolitionists William Lloyd GarrisonWilliam Lloyd Garrison headed the best- headed the best-

known group of antislavery reformers.known group of antislavery reformers. Garrison denounced all compromise (including Garrison denounced all compromise (including

political action and the Constitution) and called political action and the Constitution) and called for immediate emancipation on moral grounds. for immediate emancipation on moral grounds.

The American Anti-Slavery SocietyThe American Anti-Slavery Society drew on drew on the style of religious revivalists as they tried to the style of religious revivalists as they tried to confront slaveholders and lead them to confront slaveholders and lead them to repentance. repentance.

Abolitionist mailed over a million pieces of Abolitionist mailed over a million pieces of propaganda that led to a crackdown by propaganda that led to a crackdown by southern states and a stifling of dissent. southern states and a stifling of dissent.

Several abolitionists were violently attacked Several abolitionists were violently attacked and one was killed.and one was killed.

Abolitionism and PoliticsAbolitionism and Politics

Abolition began as a social movement but Abolition began as a social movement but soon became a national political issue. soon became a national political issue. Abolitionists inundated Congress with Abolitionists inundated Congress with petitions calling for abolition in the District of petitions calling for abolition in the District of Columbia.Columbia.

Congress imposed a “gag rule” tabling Congress imposed a “gag rule” tabling all such petitions, but it was repealed all such petitions, but it was repealed in1844. [JQA’s position in H of R]in1844. [JQA’s position in H of R]

Abolitionist unity splintered along racial and Abolitionist unity splintered along racial and political lines.political lines.

White abolitionists (other than White abolitionists (other than Garrisonians) founded the Liberty Garrisonians) founded the Liberty Party.Party.

F: The Women’s F: The Women’s Rights MovementRights Movement

Women and ReformWomen and Reform Women were active members of all reform societies Women were active members of all reform societies

and even formed their own antislavery and even formed their own antislavery organizations. organizations.

Sarah and Angelina GrimkeSarah and Angelina Grimke left their South left their South Carolina home and traveled north to denounce Carolina home and traveled north to denounce slavery, becoming the slavery, becoming the first female public first female public speakers in American historyspeakers in American history..

Two decades of activity culminated with the Seneca Two decades of activity culminated with the Seneca Falls women’s rights convention in 1848 and the Falls women’s rights convention in 1848 and the beginnings of the women’s rights movement. beginnings of the women’s rights movement.

Historians have only recently acknowledged Historians have only recently acknowledged the central role women played in the various the central role women played in the various reform movements of this era.reform movements of this era.