New Movements in America

Chalk Talk Write Reform on the board and have students go up and write what comes to mind when they hear/see that word Discuss as a class what reform means. On the other side of the board ask students to go and write down the areas the United States needed to reform in the 19th Century. Then use the powerpoint to discuss those movements further.

Transcendentalism The idea that people could rise above the material things in life; a popular movement among New England writers and thinkers in the mid-1800s.

Romanticism Involved a great interest in nature, an emphasis on individual expression, and a rejection of many established rules.

Second Great Awakening A period of religious evangelism that began in the 1790s and became widespread in the United States by 1830s.

Temperance Movement A social reform effort begun in the mid- 1800s to encourage people to drink less alcohol.

Prison Reform A movement to end overcrowding and cruel conditions in prisons; led to the creation of mental hospitals.

Education Reform The idea that education made children responsible citizens and should be available to all children regardless of social background and wealth.

Abolition Movement A movement of people who wanted a complete end to slavery.

Women’s Right Movement The effort to improve women’s rights in American society.