19th Century U.S. Reform Movements Overview

May 4, 2024

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AP U.S. History: Reform Movements (1800-1848) - Unit 4 Topic 11 Summary

Overview:

This lecture explores the various reform movements that emerged in the first half of the 19th century, a period characterized by significant cultural and economic changes following the Market Revolution. These reforms ranged from religious to social movements, including temperance, abolitionism, and women's rights. The cultural mindset of improvement and expanding democratic agency significantly influenced these movements.

Key Reform Movements:

1. Religious Reform:

  • Notable for the rise of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) founded by Joseph Smith in the 1840s.
  • Smith claimed to receive divine visions, paving the way for the Book of Mormon.
  • Controversial practices like polygamy led to conflict, resulting in Smith's lynching.
  • Brigham Young succeeded Smith, leading the Mormons to Utah to escape persecution.

2. Temperance Movement:

  • Sparked by the Second Great Awakening, this movement advocated for the avoidance of alcohol.
  • The average consumption was about five gallons of hard liquor per person annually.
  • Founded in 1826, the American Temperance Society aimed to curtail alcohol consumption, particularly among working-class men.
  • Factory owners and politicians later embraced temperance, seeing it as a means to boost productivity and reduce crime.

3. Abolitionism:

  • Aimed at ending slavery, with activists divided between gradual and immediate abolition approaches.
  • Influential figures included William Lloyd Garrison, who published "The Liberator" and advocated for nonviolent resistance, and Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave and eloquent orator who highlighted the dehumanizing aspects of slavery.
  • The movement was significantly shaped by moral and religious fervor from the Second Great Awakening.

4. Women’s Rights:

  • Emerged alongside abolitionism, with many women activists facing societal restrictions based on the prevailing 'cult of domesticity'.
  • The Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, marked a pivotal moment.
  • The Declaration of Sentiments, drafted during the convention, mirrored the Declaration of Independence and emphasized gender equality.

Conclusion:

The first half of the 19th century was a pivotal era for reform movements in the U.S., driven largely by the cultural and economic changes post-Market Revolution and the moral imperatives of the Second Great Awakening. These movements laid foundational changes that would shape the trajectory of American society in the years to come.

For further understanding and details, review the specific events and figures mentioned to grasp the depth of each movement's impact and the societal context in which they emerged. This will be crucial for both academic success in AP U.S. History and a comprehensive understanding of early American reform movements. Heimler's History videos can provide additional insights and explanations to further this knowledge.