Reform in the Early 1800s

1. Reform in the Early 1800s Development of Religious Enthusiasm and the Growth of Cities

2. A spread of religious values, population growth, and urbanization during the early 1800s led to a number of reform movements trying to “fix” societal problems.

3. Second Great Awakening

4. Second Great Awakening • A reemergence of religion - especially in Midwest and Southern states. 1800-1830s • Typified by rowdy revival meetings - emotional outlets for rural people, and often served as social gatherings in places where there was little else. • Awakening in Northern states was a kind of resurgence of Puritan beliefs.

5. Charles Finney • New York preacher - emphasized emotional religious appeals

6. From Religion to Reform • Northern religious revivalism in particular led to reform movements. • Reform movements picked up in cities - addressing poverty, crime, temperance

7. Temperance Movement • Movement against alcohol was religious and “feminist” - alcohol seen as immoral and destroying families. • The beginning of a movement that culminated in 1918.

9. Gender Issues of the 1800s • Throughout the country women began to work out of the home there was clear inequality. • Women could not vote, in marriage husbands were in total control over property and children. • Women began to have more authority in religious organizations - often leading reform movements.

10. Cult of Domesticity/True Womanhood • View that women were supposed to embody perfect virtue - based on increased female involvement in religion. • For men, women were to be at home as role models of piety - especially in middle-upper class homes. • Really was the result of changing economy - men and women no longer working in a common environment - instead wage labor. Created a concept of different spheres for men and women = men work, women stay at home. • In a sense women were denied a commanding role in the economy, but they were also the moral standard bearers.

11. Fighting for Women’s Rights • Even though women were seen as the moral standard in society, they could not vote.

12. Challenging the Status Quo • Seneca Falls Declaration - 1848. Argued not just for voting rights, but general equal rights.

13. Women’s Role • Reality of women’s role was not so ideal. Many poorer women worked, and were expected to care for the home. • Middle-upper class women were more often able to work in charitable societies.

14. Asylum Reform • Many of the state institutions to deal with mentally handicapped. • Idea was that problems could be treated (solitary confinement, rigid routine). • Ultimately many asylums could not meet their needs, but it was a step toward humane treatment.

15. Religious fervency during the early 1800s was a major contributing factor to the spread of reform movements.