reform movements 1820-1860 “fires of perfection”
TRANSCRIPT
Usher in the Kingdom of God
Reform emerges in response to great amount of social, economic, & political change
Market revolution & Jacksonian Democracy created
Essential Questions:
How does Finney change the religious beliefs and practices?
Which reform movements sought social control and to reinforce the existing social and value structure?
Which reform movements sought to challenge the existing structures?
How do they reveal the paradox of the individual with in the community? How are they a response to economic and social changes of the period?
What is the impact of each movement – degree of success????
The ParadoxRadical
Seeks to change social institutions, values, norms, relationships
Seeks to free or liberate the individual
Conservative Seeks social
control and conformity in values, norms and relationships
Seeks to incorporate groups into the social order and to preserve it
Characteristics Individualism and free will Self reliance Perfectionism – society can fulfill its
potentialOptimism – can create change and a
perfect society Social activism and social
responsibility Equality and democratization Hard work, moderation, thrift, self
control, temperance emphasizedMillenialism
Demands of Society v. Freedom of the Individual
Helps to deal with the anxieties of the period
Impact/emphasis differed N and SVision of society “individual within
community”Romanticism and reform
Catalyst: Second Great Awakening
Finney – salvation due to free will – a choice
Methods – emotionalism, Camp meetings, “the anxious bench”
Appeal – frontier, small town, middle class
Cane Ridge ------Rochester “Burned out” district
Impact:
Ties religion to the market economyIndividualism and OpportunityMiddle class values dominateEvangelical Protestantism =
dominant religion in America
Cult of Domesticity
Doctrine of two spheres Men – outer world Women – home, religious and moral values
MC women – the home, the church, reform movements, sisterhood
C. Beecher – education for women
Middle Class Family Values
Decrease in birth rates Children as investmentRomantic love and affection in
marriage New norms of behaviorChildren as individuals
Transcendentalism/Romantics
Truth through emotion; knowledge through nature – go beyond intellect
Importance of the individual Emerson – the Oversoul; self relianceThoreau – Walden; Civil DisobedienceDark and light romantics
Utopian Movements
Separate from society Often more radical, challenging to
society Redefinition of traditional gender
roles
Examples:Shakers- Ann Lee
Egalitarian, separate, celibateOneida – Noyes, complex marriageMormons – Smith – Book of Mormon
Polygamy, rigid social organization, kinship
New Harmony – Owens, socialist, no marriage
Fourier - socialists Brook Farm – transcendentalists,
salon
Social Activism/Reform
Meets need of the market economy Emphasis on social controlMiddle class norms and values
Temperance
Most popular and successful (women)
Drunkeness = social burden Concern for familiesNeed for a sober work force Alcohol associated with immigrants Moderation v abstinence – political
prohibitionMaine Law 1851
Education - Mann
Goal = public funding, tax supportOpportunity (women, immigrants) Moral teachings and middle class
values Teacher training Required educationDivided N/S Divided immigrant & WC from MC
Abolition
Gradual v immediate emancipation Emancipation with or without
colonization American colonization society -----
American Anti-Slavery Society
Abolitionist Leaders
Weld and Tappen – Lane Seminary Garrison – The Liberator
anti-government position
African American Abolitionists Douglass – The North Star - Voice Walker – The Appeal – rebellion Tubman – URR; Truth
Impact
Support – medium sized towns of N Opposition – S, urban areas, WC –
fears of job competitionIncrease division N/SPolitical impact – Gag rulePulls the party system Uncle Tom’s Cabin – morality
Women’s Rights
Empowered through reform activityDeclaration of Sentiment – Seneca
Falls 1848Stanton, Grimke Mott, Anthony
“We hold these truths to be self evident – that all men and women are created equal; they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights..”
Challenges of Reform
Reform as a necessary part of democracy – plays a stabilizing function – permits adjustment to changing conditions OR
Reform as a disruptive event – caused by malcontents
What factors cause reform periodsDoes it serve the interests of some
classes at the expense of othersWhat tactics are available to
reformers in a democratic society?
Significance:Antebellum Reformers -Walters
Highlights areas of tensions – show the fault lines of society -- the disconnect between values and behaviors
Presents alternatives to consider – what’s possible
Process of adjustment to change – a democracy may need groups of private citizens who care deeply about certain issues – and who argue them loudly, persistently – even abrasively!