Reforming SocietyReforming Society

Movement to create a better Movement to create a better AmericaAmerica

(Early – Mid 1800s)(Early – Mid 1800s)

National Origin of Immigrants:1820 - 1860

National Origin of Immigrants:1820 - 1860

Why now?Why now?Nativism:

hatred toward foreigners

InfluencesInfluencesReligious

2nd Great Awakening:

- Movement to revive American religious

faith

- Improve self and the world

The Second GreatAwakening

“Spiritual Reform From Within”

[Religious Revivalism]

Social Reforms & Redefining the Ideal of Equality

Temperance

Wilderness Utopias

Education

Women’s Rights

Abolitionism

Transcendentalism

1. Religion 1. Religion Revivals lead to religious split Revivals lead to religious split – Presbyterian, Congregationalists, Unitarians Presbyterian, Congregationalists, Unitarians

North/East North/East – Methodist, Baptists Methodist, Baptists

South/WestSouth/West

InfluencesInfluences

Transcendentalism

Philosophical:

- New England literary movement

- Beauty and goodness in all individuals

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

-Henry David Thoreau

6. Transcendentalism• The cultivation of reasoning

(black/white)

• “Transcend” the limits of intellect and allow the emotions, the SOUL, to create an original relationship with the Universe

• Thus, the role of the reformer was to restore man to that divinity which God had endowed them

• Spread peace and Justice, educate

Transcendentalist ThinkingTranscendentalist Thinking Man must acknowledge a body of

moral truths that were intuitive and must TRANSCEND more sensational proof:

1. The infinite benevolence of God.

2. The infinite benevolence of nature.

3. The divinity of man.

They instinctively rejected all secular authority and the authority of organized churches and the Scriptures, of law, or of conventions

The Transcendentalist AgendaThe Transcendentalist Agenda Give freedom to the slave.

Give well-being to the poor and the miserable.

Give learning to the ignorant.

Give health to the sick.

Give peace and justice to society.

6. Transcendentalist Intellectuals/Writers

Concord, MA

Ralph WaldoEmerson

Ralph WaldoEmerson

Henry DavidThoreau

Henry DavidThoreau

Nature(1832)

Walden(1854)

Resistance to Civil

Disobedience(1849)

Self-Reliance (1841)

“The American Scholar”

(1837) R3-1/3/4/5

Areas of ReformAreas of ReformUtopian Societies

Temperance

Educational Reform

Women’s Rights

Prison and the Treatment of the Insane

Abolition

Utopian Communities

Goal: Separate from corrupt society and create

ideal society

- Brook Farm:- New Harmony

- Oneida

Result: fail to last long term, but

inspired many to fix society

The Oneida CommunityNew York, 1848

The Oneida CommunityNew York, 1848

John Humphrey Noyes(1811-1886)

Millenarianism --> the 2nd

coming of Christ had already occurred. Humans were no longer obliged to follow the moral rules of the past.• all residents

married to each other.• carefully regulated “free love.”

TemperanceTemperance

Goal: Preach the evils of Goal: Preach the evils of alcoholalcoholWomen & the Protestant Women & the Protestant church lead reform movementchurch lead reform movementDomestic AbuseDomestic AbuseInfidelityInfidelityResults:Results:Some states pass prohibition Some states pass prohibition lawslaws

Educational Reform

Goal: Protect the republic by educating the electorate

- Government funded schools

- Mandatory attendance laws

- Teacher training schools

Horace Mann

7. Educational Reform7. Educational Reform

Religious Training Secular Education

MA always on the forefront of public educational reform * 1st state to establish tax support for local public schools.

By 1860 every state offered free public education to whites. * US had one of the highest literacy rates.

“Father of American Education”

R3-6

Horace Mann (1796-1859)Horace Mann (1796-1859)

Children are clayChildren are clayDiscouraged Discouraged corporal corporal punishmentpunishment State teacher-State teacher-training programstraining programs

Women’s RightsWomen’s RightsGoal: Improve the status of women

and expand their role in America

- Seneca Falls Convention: Declaration of Sentiments and

Resolutions

"it is the duty of the women in "it is the duty of the women in this country to secure to this country to secure to themselves their sacred right themselves their sacred right to the franchise.”to the franchise.”

Early 19c WomenEarly 19c Women1. Unable to vote.2. Legal status of a minor3. Single could own her own

property4. Married no control over

herproperty or children

5. Could not initiate divorce.6. Couldn’t make wills, sign a

contract, or bring suit in court without husband’s permission

Women’s SuffrageWomen’s Suffrage

The right of women to vote in political The right of women to vote in political electionselections

Elizabeth Cady Staton, Lucretia Mott, and Elizabeth Cady Staton, Lucretia Mott, and Susan B. Anthony leaders of movementSusan B. Anthony leaders of movement

Prison and the InsanePrison and the Insane

Goal: Improve the conditions of prisoners

and mentally ill

- Rehabilitation of Prisoners

- New institutions for ill

Dorothea Dix: Aid for the mentally ill

ABOLITIONABOLITION

Goal: End SlaveryGoal: End SlaveryWhy???Why???Against the ideas of Against the ideas of liberty & equalityliberty & equalitySend the ex-slaves Send the ex-slaves back to Africaback to AfricaAmerican American Colonization SocietyColonization SocietyCreates Liberia for Creates Liberia for freed slaves freed slaves

AbolitionAbolition

Emancipation: Complete freedom for

the slaves

- Strongest support in the North

-William Lloyd Garrison

Abolitionists

“The Liberator”

“I will not retreat a single inch, AND I WILL BE HEARD”

Abolitionists

Sojournor Truth

- Freed northern slave

Frederick Douglass

- Runaway slave

- Bought freedom

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas

Response to Abolition

Northern Fears:

- Disturb social order - May lead to civil war

- Take jobs away from Northerners

- South would not pay debts to North

Southern Fears:

- Loss of property - Inspired slave revolts

Lasting Impact

- Abolitionists bring publicity to the horrors of slavery

- Southerners develop a deep distrust that the North trying to end slavery