1. Chapter 8 An Age of Reform 1820-1860 What is REFORM? Use your Greek and Latin knowledge re-form – to make better as by stopping abuses By the mid-1800s, Americans are seeking reform in education and abolition. Some seek equality for women. Artists and writers also begin to develop a distinct style.

2. How can people cause reform? How can people make their lives, families, schools, communities, cities, states, countries, the world, a better place? Question for yourself: Am I a reformer?

3. Chapter 8, Section 1 Improving Society p. 288-293 By the mid-1800s, people were seeking reform in many areas of American life, including education.

4. The Reforming Spirit Main Idea: Political and religious ideas inspired Americans to seek ways to improve society. Many Americans called for social reform – organized attempts to improve conditions of life Jacksonian Democracy – All men should be able to vote and hold office (drop property requirement) – Greater legal rights for women – Slavery is incompatible with democracy (Declaration of Independence) More Americans going to the polls to vote

5. The Second Great Awakening (Early 1800s) New religious feelings & ideas spark reforming impulse predestination - the idea that God decided the fate of a person’s soul even before birth is replaced by… The Doctrine of Free Will - People’s own actions determine their salvation. (BIG idea) Charles Finney holds revivals to convert sinners to Christianity. – huge outdoor religious meetings Some reformers start Utopian (ideal or perfect) communities: Members shared the land & grew their own food made goods for the good of the whole community – Most utopian communities failed within a couple of years. Methodist Revival Meeting (1820s) Robert Owen founded “New Harmony”, a Utopian community.

6. THE DOCTRINE OF FREE WILL PEOPLE’S OWN ACTIONS DETERMINE THEIR SALVATION What does this idea mean to reformers? If I can improve my own life, then ….. Question for discussion:

7. Social Reformers at Work Main Idea: Reformers worked to solve a variety of social problems, including alcohol abuse and poor treatment of prisoners and persons with mental illnesses. Many reformers blame society’s problems on alcohol abuse -Whiskey was cheaper than milk -safer than water -Alcohol abuse is epidemic temperance movement -organized effort to end alcohol abuse and the problems it created Most favor moderation, some call for prohibition. -a total ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol -Movement is interrupted by the Civil War Temperance Campaign Posters

8. Dorothea Dix Prisons were designed as very harsh places. – Poorly heated, inadequate food, and overcrowding Many imprisoned for being debtors or mentally ill Dorothea Dix encourages prison reform – End imprisonment for debts – Sanitariums for the mentally ill, NOT prison When she began in 1850 there were 13 U.S. hospitals for the mentally ill. – By 1880 there were 123, 32 of which she helped found. Dorothea Dix fought for more “sanitary and humane prisons” Prison Reform and Reforms for the Mentally Ill

9. Education Reform Main Idea: Gradually, states took steps to improve education and make it available to more people. First U.S. schools made by Puritans (so people could read the Bible) First public schools in 1642 in Massachusetts – free schools supported by taxes Rich could afford private school, poor couldn’t afford school for their kids Horace Mann calls for education reform – “Public education was essential for a democratic society.” Why? – Also to help assimilate immigrants Created colleges, improved teacher training, raised teacher salaries, and lengthened the school year Horace Mann (not Horse-man)

10. Education for African Americans African Americans face discrimination in schools in both the North & South Prudence Crandall opens 1 st school for African Americans girls, in Connecticut – The school is later destroyed by hostile neighbors African Americans must open their own schools – Ashmun Institute opened in 1854 in Pennsylvania – Later renamed to Lincoln University – 1 st U.S. college for African American men Prudence Crandall Quaker teacher

11. How can YOU cause reform? How can you make your life, family, school, community, city, state, country, the world a better place?