Antebellum Reform Movements A New Wave of Reform
Antebellum Reform Movements A New Wave of Reform Before the Civil War
Bell Ringer February 8, 2017 O On a sheet of paper, list 3 things you would like to change about Springville High School and why. O On that same sheet of paper, list 3 things you would like to change about the city of Springville, St. Clair County, the state of Alabama, or the United States and why.
CHANGE YOUR REALMS OF CHANGE: *RELIGIOUS CHANGE *ABOLITION CHANGE SOCIAL CHANGE *ARTISTIC CHANGE *WOMEN’S RIGHTS CHANGE *EDUCATIONAL CHANGE *JACKSONIAN POLITICAL CHANGE EACH OF THESE CHANGES AFFECTED THE NEW COUNTRY.
Reasons for Reform O Women’s Rights – against the Cult of True Womanhood / Domesticity– O Barbara Welter – Women were supposed to be O Pious O Purity O Submission O Domesticity O Fear of rapid change (urbanization, industrialization, immigration…) O Desire to return to a less materialistic (money and “thing” centered) lifestyle O Religious fervor – “When things are wrong with society or there is progress, turn to GOD!”
RELIGIOUS REFORMS
Second Great Awakening O Renewed interest in religion – why? O Traveling (itinerant) preachers O Religious revivals O Focus on emotion O Idea that anyone could be saved, anyone could preach O Participation of many social groups (African-Americans, women, slaves, etc. ) O Influenced by Alex de Tocqueville’s – Democracy in America O “…. there is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America; and there can be no greater proof of its utility and of its conformity to human nature than that its influence is powerfully felt over the most enlightened and free nation of the earth. ”
Camp Meetings O Multi-denominational gatherings that demonstrate fanatical fervor about God O Fiery speakers taught that the return of Jesus was imminent O Speakers were not college educated and opposed the orthodox customs – why? Popularity? O Methodism – fastest growing denomination 1800 – 70, 000 1844 – over 1 million O Charles G. Finney – Father of American Revivalism
New York O “Burned – over District” O Charles Finney, the father of American revivalism, who explained in the 1870′s that the region had seen so many revivals in the previous decades that it no longer had any more “fuel” (the unconverted) to “burn” (convert). O Western New York O Welcomed women into active public life in the church O Rejected Pre-destination; human effort in salvation
Millerites / Miller O William Miller O predicted on the basis of Daniel 8: 14– 16 and the "dayyear principle" that Jesus Christ would return to Earth between the spring of 1843 and the spring of 1844. O In the summer of 1844, Millerites came to believe that Jesus would return on October 22, 1844, understood to be the biblical Day of Atonement for that year. O When this did not happen (an event known as the "Great Disappointment"), most of his followers disbanded and returned to their original churches. O Some kept changing interpretations of Christ’s return
Sabbatarianism O Observance of Sunday as a non-worship day O Seventh Day Sabbatarianism O Seventh-Day Adventist O Church of God (Seventh Day) O First Day Sabbatarianism – Sabbath is day of worship and rest O Most Christian churches O Baptists / Episcopalians / Presbyterians / Methodists – etc O Non Sabbatarianism – O Catholic / Orthodox
Religious Sects Unitarians O God as ONE person – contrast with Trinitarians (God as 3 persons) O Jesus was a Prophet not necessarily the Son of God as a God O Did not believe in the concept of “original sin” – that man was inherently sinful from the dawn of time Universalists O No belief in Hell O Living truth is much more important than national, cultural, or religious boundaries O All religions are true and are therefore worthy of dignity and respect O Uphold principles, ethics, and actions that promote living right
Mormonism O Joseph Smith grew up in the “Burned Over District” in NY and continued to question traditional religious customs and orthodoxy O Angel led him to interpret a book of revelation and – Book of Mormon O Seen by his followers as a prophet O Belief that Jesus and God are two separate beings – differed from orthodox Christianity – Trinitarianism O Persecuted because of polygamy – moved the church to Illinois – Joseph Smith killed O Brigham Young moves the church and followers to UTAH
Religious Utopian Societies Often wanted to bring the kingdom of heaven into reality on earth
Oneida in New York O Founded by John Humphrey Noyes O Believed in equality of men and women O Practices O Broad sense of family (not just nuclear) O Complex marriage and communal child-rearing O Birth control through male continence & ascending fellowship (older people with younger) O Stirpiculture- selective breeding to produce “better” offspring O How might this have been liberating for women? How might it have been oppressive? Downfall?
• The existing marriage system was unsatisfactory, he concluded: "The law of marriage worketh wrath”. • Unrealistic and unnatural restrictions were being placed on relations between the sexes. • In marriage, women were held in a form of slave-like domestic bondage, while their husbands toiled away in an uncertain and highly competitive external world. • Romantic love and the monogamous family merely accentuated the disruptive individualism present in other areas of society. • Most serious of all, men acted as though they owned their wives, as though their wives were a form of property. Noyes felt, instead, that sexual and emotional exclusiveness between the sexes should be done away with.
v Women v formally freed to participate in almost all aspects of Community involvement v religious, economic, and social life v Contrast v Fewer restrictions in commune that they faced in the outside world.
New Harmony in Indiana O Goal – a planned environment will improve social behavior and misery will eventually banish O Based on SOCIALISM / COLLECTIVISM and COMMUNISM O Equal distribution of wealth O Cooperation NOT Competition
Brook Farm in Massachusetts O Inspired by TRANSCENDENTALISM O Founded near Boston by George Ripley O Agricultural & Education – also promised a share of profits O Goal – balance leisure and work O Founded for people to personally connect with divinity (God) rather than participate in organized ritualistic religion O Intellectuals such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne
Shakers O Founded by Mother Ann Lee O Sex was the main cause of EVIL in the world O Give up all sexual relations O Named because of convulsive dances O Isolationist communities based of separation of genders and equality O Population growth due to converts and adoption of orphans
Intellectual Reforms / Movements American Authors / writers discuss American themes rather that British themes Penny press - were cheap, tabloid-style papers produced in the middle of the 19 th century Political discussion based on interviews
Transcendentalists O Romantic movement, early 1800 s O Protest movement O Emphasized importance of individual, natural simplicity, spiritual renewal O Belief that people could transcend (rise above) material things in life O Emerson- Self Reliance -- rely on oneself instead of new technology / commune with nature O Henry David Thoreau- Walden (about his time living in the woods, getting away from technology, big cities), Discourse on Civil Disobedience -- Non-violent PROTEST – future influence? ? O why pay taxes to a government who supports slavery? ?
Emily Dickinson Poem “Some keep the Sabbath going to church; I keep it staying at home, With a bobolink (bird) for a chorister (choir), And an orchard for a dome. ” How does this reflect themes of transcendentalism?
Literary Reform / Change O Emily Dickinson – emotional poetry O James Fennimore Cooper – The Last of the Mohicans – American Historical Fiction O Nathaniel Hawthorne – The Scarlet Letter O Walt Whitman – Leaves of Grass O Edgar Allan Poe – The Raven O American authors writing distinctly American stories and poems about American culture
Romanticism O Romanticism – movement against aristocracy and political and social norms and to institute EMOTION into art O Emphasis on horror, awe, and the sublimity of nature
Hudson River School O Philosophy or “school” of thought – People sharing ideas about ART O Artists painting or depicting distinctly American landscapes, figures, CULTURE!!! mid-19 th century American art movement embodied by a group of landscape painters whose aesthetic vision was influenced by Romanticism O Thomas Cole / Asher Durant
Other Reform Movements • • • Temperance (persuade people to temper or limit alcohol consumption) Education- Horace Mann, common schools, uniform curriculum & teacher training, bigger impact in the North. Mentally ILL- Dorothea Dix; advocated better treatment, separation of criminals, mentally ill Prisons- try to rehabilitate, penitentiary new institution Abolitionism – attempt to rid the South of slavery Women’s Rights – attempt to gain the right to vote
Temperance Movement O By 1830, Americans were drinking 7 gallons of alcohol person, per year on average O Men spent too much $$$, avoided their families, and beat their wives (domestic violence) O Lyman Beecher and Protestant churches formed Temperance societies O Economic PANIC of 1837 caused workers to question their drinking habits O Women’s Christian Temperance Union – protest organization that pushes for legalizing morality (outlawing drinking)
Temperance
“The Bar of Destruction” Thomas Nast Original Date: March 21, 1874 Source: http: //www. harpweek. com/09 Cartoon/Browse. By. Date. Cartoon. asp? Month=Mar ch&Date=21
Women’s Rights
Womens’ Rights / Seneca Falls Convention O Womens Movement –Seneca Falls Convention NY- call for suffrage- Lucretia Mott/ Elizabeth Cady Stanton / Sojourner Truth O Declaration of Sentiments – many men respected the drafting of this document but conventional thinking would not permit women the right to vote O “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal” O 1900 s Women’s Rights – Carrie Chapman Catt/ Susan B. Anthony – culminated in 19 th Amendment (women’s suffrage in 1920)
Seneca Falls Convention- Lucretia Mott/ Elizabeth Cady Stanton
• Caption: "Get Thee Behind Me, (Mrs. ) Satan!” • Wife (with heavy burden). "I'd rather travel the hardest path of matrimony than follow your footsteps. " • Satan: Victoria Woodhull, an advocate of women’s rights and free love, who ran for President in 1872. Date: February 17, 1872 Source: http: //www. harpweek. com/09 Cartoon/Browse. By. Date. C artoon. asp? Month=February&Date=17
Elizabeth Blackwell O First woman to earn a medical degree.
ABOLITIONISM
Abolitionist Movement O Abolition – Freedom from slavery O American Colonization Society – wanted free slaves then move ALL blacks to Liberia (in Africa) / didn’t work – slaves are from America O American Anti-Slavery Society (1833 -1870) – founded by Wm. Lloyd Garrison believed in IMMEDIATE abolition of the slave / slave owners are sinful / criticized the A. C. S. (above) O Lucy Stone / women’s rights / maiden name / divorce rights etc. O 2 movements with regard to abolitionism – O Gradualism – gradually freeing the slaves O Immediate -
Abolitionism in the U. S. O Pennsylvania in the late 1600’s – O Germantown Quaker Petition Against Slavery O Golden Rule – poses questions about why Christians felt they had the right to buy and possess slaves while professing love, forgiveness, and godliness O Slaves have the right to revolt under the Golden Rule O 1 st American document that makes a plea for equal human rights O Fairness and equality continues to grow in Pennsylvania and in the colonies in general O Many future Quakers are influenced by this document and continue to push for abolition of slavery O Benjamin Rush -- bitterly attacked slavery in pamphlets and newspaper articles – Pennsylvania Abolition Society O Owned slaves -- conflict
Pennsylvania O Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage O FIRST Abolition organization O Philadelphia O On the heels of the creation of a Black School in Philly O Pennsylvania Abolition Society O Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush O Crusaded to BAN the illegal slave trade O Petitioned the Constitutional Convention to ban slave trade Ø RESULTS O The Slave Trade Act of 1794 – O Illegal to transport slaves to another country by an American O The Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves 1807 O Banned the illegal slave trade in the US in 1807 O No new slaves to be IMPORTED into the US O However slavery was not stopped – O VA first to pass law making slaves chattel O Encouraged slaves to marry – docile slaves would lead to greater reproductive cycles
Rebellions O Gabriel Prosser’s Rebellion – Richmond, VA early 1800’s – he and his “team” were found out, discovered was hanged with all 28 of his followers O Denmark Vesey – led a slave rebellion as a free man (he had purchased his freedom 20 years earlier) in SC in 1822 – O he had won $1500 in a city lottery and used $600 to buy his freedom from his owner (Vesey) O Nat Turner – led a slave rebellion in Virginia 1831– killed more than 50 whites – result? Truth? O More whites in the South arm themselves, ask for a stronger Fugitive Slave Law from the federal government, began to see many slaves as potential enemies. O Turner eventually will go down in history as a martyr, just as he predicted in his “confessions” to a Virginia trial lawyer.
Fredrick Douglass O American abolitionist, author, women’s suffragist O Wrote and published The North Star O Purchased his freedom and became an ardent abolitionist O In thinking of America, I sometimes find myself admiring her bright blue sky-her grand old woods-her fertile fields-her beautiful rivers -her mighty lakes and star-crowned mountains. But my rapture is soon checked when I remember that all is cursed with the infernal spirit of slave-holding and wrong; When I remember that with the waters of her noblest rivers, the tears of my brethren are borne to the ocean, disregarded and forgotten; That her most fertile fields drink daily of the warm blood of my outraged sisters, I am filled with unutterable loathing. ”
William Lloyd Garrison – The Liberator Believed in IMMEDIATE ABOLITION NOT GRADUALISM
Sarah and Angelina Grimke. O Abolitionists who moved from South Carolina (daughters of slave owner) to the North to promote the abolitionist movement O AMERICAN ANTISLAVERY SOCIETYEND SLAVERY – HEADED BY WILLIAM LLYOD GARRISON
La Amistad • Because of issues of ownership and jurisdiction, the case gained international attention. Known as United States v. The Amistad (1841), the case was finally decided by the Supreme Court of the United States in favor of the Mende, restoring their freedom. It became a symbol in the United States in the movement to abolish slavery.
Bell Ringer February 15 O Todays word is Nativism – intense dislike or Hatred toward immigrants O List and describe at least 3 instances you have witnessed in your lifetime of nativism. Can be television, politics, personal, etc. O Be prepared to share
Education Reform O Horace Mann- (Massachusetts) pressed for more public education and helped create a state board of education in 1837. O He was secretary of the new board – he doubled teacher salaries, opened 50 new high schools, and establish training schools for teachers. O 1 st State School Superintendent O Pushed TAX- SUPPORTED COMPULSORY EDUCATION
Dorothea Dix O Led Sunday school classes for prisoners. O Saw the mentally ill in the prisons and saw how neglected they were as they lay on the floor. O Started the crusade to improve the conditions for the mentally illhospital.
Nativism – Feelings of anger and hatred toward immigrants O Know – Nothing Party – political party aimed at promoting “native” American views and ideals. Fear of Irish Catholics helped fuel this party. O Most of their program goals and aims were NOT achieved. O Wanted increased naturalization requirements.
Election of 1840 O William Henry Harrison (Whig) vs. Martin Van Buren (Democrat) LOG CABIN ELECTION O Whigs (Party formed chiefly out of dislike for Jackson – viewed him as a king) O “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too” – Harrison and Tyler promoted the idea of the “common man” just as Jackson had before them (WON) O E. C. Booze – distilled hard apple cider and poured them in log cabin bottles to pass out at political functions – BOOZE
“Tippecanoe and Tyler Too”
Spirit of Reform OYou are to participate and find changes/ reforms in American history from 18281845 in the areas listed on the prior slide. Each cooperative group have a specific area to show the reforms. Follow the flow charts in each area. Then relate these changes to the changes of today – (EX. – Changes today in the area of education. )
Spirit of Reform O Looking Forward: The United States in 1850 …Manifest Destiny brought western lands into the country which helped bring about sectionalism which was apart of the reforms Americans had to dealt with in society. (abolition)
Manifest Destiny- John O’Sullivan- caused sectionalism- how would the nation deal with the issue of slavery as it spreads westward. Painting by John Gast- The American Progress.
Spirit of Reforms O VOCABULARY : Standard Course of Study: reform, transcendentalism, utopia, romanticism, nativists, Second Great Awakening, abolition, emancipation. O Group activity – help one another complete the assignment – vocabulary on Jacksonian Democracy and Reforms. Work with one another in your groups to complete each term and discuss the terms while you define them…this will be graded.
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