1. Social, Economic, and Political Turning Points
Lesson 1.1: Social Change
Social, Economic, and Political Turning Points

2. Unit Overview
In this unit we will investigate the differences between economic, political, and social change. In addition we will explore how economic, political, and social changes impact the human experience.

3. Activating
Think of the phrase “social change.” What do you think social change means?

4. Key Vocabulary: Social Change

5. What is Social Change?
Social change refers to an alteration, or change, in the social order of society. The base of social change is change in the thought process of humans.
Let’s look at three examples of social movements that had a large impact on early Americans:
Bacon’s Rebellion
The Great Awakening
Abolition

6. Bacon’s Rebellion
In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon led Virginia settlers in an armed revolt against the rule of William Berkley.
He did so because the settlers were dealing with social and political instability created by a weak centralized government. To make matters worse, there was little opportunity for political and social mobility.

7. In simpler terms, common people joined Bacon’s movement because they did not feel as though their government was looking out for them. A bad economy didn’t help matters, and Berkley’s refusal to take aggressive action against Indian raids proved to be the final straw.
As a result, the common and poor people would demand more from their government, to include fairness and protection. Also, historians believe the rebellion hastened the hardening of racial lines associated with slavery due to the ruling class’s inability to control the poor population.

8. Assessment Prompt 1: Event Summary

9. The Great Awakening
The Great Awakening was a movement rooted in spiritual growth began to strengthen in the 1730’s , encouraging people to re-admit their lives to Christ. The Great Awakening became the first national event that all colonies would experience.
It came about because of a growing concern among Protestants leaders that people were far too concerned with worldly matters and wealth.

10. As a result of the Great Awakening, the overall message of movement was one of greater equality among believers and religious freedom. The Great Awakening played a key role in the development of democratic thought, the belief of a free and unbiased press, and the idea that information should be shared and uncontrolled by the government. It is also considered a major cause of the American Revolution.

11. Assessment Prompt 2: Cause & Effect

12. Abolition
Starting in the 1830’s, abolitionist ideas became increasingly prominent in northern churches and politics. The goal of this movement was the immediate emancipation of all slaves and the end of racial discrimination and segregation.
Abolitionism was Fueled by the religious fervor of the 2nd Great Awakening, slavery came to be seen by many northerners as an evil that must be destroyed.

13. As a result of the emergence of abolitionism, the issue of slavery became the leading political difference between the North and the South, leading to the Civil War. Eventually, the abolitionist movement would inspire the Emancipation Proclamation, making the Civil War a war of liberation in After the North’s victory, the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments of the Constitution were created to end slavery and prejudice in the United States.

14. Assessment prompt 3: RAFT
Role = You are an abolitionist living in Charleston, SC in the 1820’s.
Audience = Readers of “letter to the editor”
Format = letter
Topic = Slavery

15. Activity: Brainstorm
What are examples of social movements in recent history that have had a significant impact on American society?

16. Possible Answers Civil Rights Feminist Movement Anti-War Movement
Counter-Culture
Conservation Movement
Occupy Movement
Tea Party Movement
Gay Rights

17. Social Change Activity/Fishbone Diagram
Investigate the causes and effects of each of the social turning points in history below: (page numbers in texts)
The Reformation (page 24)
The Enlightenment (page 45)
The Second Great Awakening (Page 232)
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin (page 290)
Are there any common themes in regard to the causes and effects of each social movement?

18. Journal In your Journal, respond to the following questions:
Today I learned……..
What did you learn today about social change? How is Bacon’s Rebellion, The Great Awakening, and the Abolition Movement examples of social change? What commonalities exist in regard to causes and effects of social turning points?