Chapter 13.2-3 The Age of Reform (1820-1860)

Section 1-Polling Question What is the most important way to help improve a society? A. Education reform B. Banning alcohol C. Women’s rights D. Helping the poor and disabled A B C D

Essential Question How did religion influence the social reforms in the United States during the early and mid-1800s?

Religion Religious camp meetings (revivals) were common in the early 1800s Known as the Second Great Awakening This led to a new spirit of reform Brought changes to American religion, education, and literature Some reformers sought to improve society by forming utopias (Perfect society) Few were able to establish lasting communities They were founded on impractical ideas Quick Search: Look up “1800 Utopian Communities”. Read through each description, whisper reading with a partner. Discuss with your partner which you feel is the most intriguing, and why.

A B C D Why did most utopias fail? Section 1 Why did most utopias fail? A. It was too hard to implement the temperance movement. B. Many teachers lacked proper training. C. They did not take the needs of the disabled into consideration. D. They were founded on impractical ideas. A B C D

The Religious Influence Attending revivals made men and women eager to reform both their lives and the world Among these were people who wanted to ban alcohol Lyman Beecher, a Connecticut minister, crusaded against the use of alcohol (temperance) Beecher and other reformers used lectures, pamphlets, and revival style rallies to warn people of the dangers of liquor The temperance movement led to some victories when Maine and other states passed laws banning to manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages Most of these laws were later repealed

Reforming Education In the mid-1850’s, most schools were poorly funded Teachers lacked training Restrictions were placed on who could attend schools (Girls and African Americans could not as easily) Massachusetts lawyer Horace Mann called for educational reforms 1839- Massachusetts created the nation’s first state-supported normal school to train teachers

Reforming Education Continued This is all blue! What are the most important words/ concepts? During the age of reform, many new colleges and universities were created Most accepted only men Gradually, higher education became available to groups that had been denied the opportunity Oberlin College of Ohio was founded in 1833 Oberlin admitted both women and African Americans

People With Special Needs Some reformers focused on the problem of teaching people with disabilities Thomas Gallaudet developed a method to educate people who were hearing impaired Samuel Gridley Howe developed books with large raised letters to help the visually impaired Schoolteacher Dorothea Dix worked for prison reforms after seeing prisoners chained to walls She also found that some people were not guilty of crimes, but (people) were mentally ill She made it her life’s work to educate the public about poor conditions for prisoners and the mentally ill

Cultural Trends Changes in American society also influenced art and literature American artists developed their own style and explored American themes starting in the 1820s The spirit of reform influenced the transcendentalists Stressed the relationship between humans and nature and the importance of the individual conscience The leading transcendentalists were Margaret Fuller, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau

Section 1 Which of the following was a major subject of transcendentalist literature? A. Realism B. The relationship between humans and nature and the importance of the individual conscience C. Anti-abolitionism D. The relationship between humans and technology and the importance of industrialism A B C D

Cultural Trends Continued Fuller supported women’s rights Emerson urged people to listen to the inner voice of conscience and to overcome prejudice Thoreau practiced civil disobedience by refusing to obey laws he considered unjust 1846 Thoreau went to jail rather than pay a tax to support the Mexican War Many American poets created great works (Henry Wadsworth, Walt Whitman, and Emily Dickinson) During this time, women were the authors of the most popular fiction Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin which explored the injustice of slavery

Reformers wanted to restrict alcohol Essential Question How did religion influence the social reforms in the United States during the early and mid-1800s? -Inspired people to reform their own lives and improve the ills of society Reformers wanted to restrict alcohol Better teacher training and school funding More colleges More access to education for women, African Americans, and people with special needs Better conditions for prisoners and the mentally ill

Group Competition Quiz

Group Quiz You’ll be in groups, according to my choosing. You will be quizzed on the material presented—no notes. This is a competition for the best prize of alllllllll PRIDE!!!!! 