Unit XI: The Development of Unit XI: The Development of ReformReform

The growth of Enlightenment The growth of Enlightenment ideas following the American ideas following the American Revolution led to spiritual Revolution led to spiritual decline and an increase in decline and an increase in liberal thinking. Estimates show liberal thinking. Estimates show that only 10% of Americans that only 10% of Americans identified with a particular identified with a particular denomination.denomination.

Deism, existence of God but Deism, existence of God but unnecessary in life, was becoming unnecessary in life, was becoming popular among the elite. popular among the elite.

Deism spawned the Unitarian faith, Deism spawned the Unitarian faith, which rejected the trinity and the which rejected the trinity and the deity of Christ. The First Unitarian deity of Christ. The First Unitarian minister William Chaney, of King's minister William Chaney, of King's Chapel, rejected the Trinity. He Chapel, rejected the Trinity. He united the trinity to elevate moral united the trinity to elevate moral standings based on Biblical truths standings based on Biblical truths and to teach that all of us are divine. and to teach that all of us are divine.

In reaction to the growing liberalism In reaction to the growing liberalism and Unitarian faith Methodist and Unitarian faith Methodist preachers, known as “circuit riders” preachers, known as “circuit riders” created a religious revival in the created a religious revival in the South and West. This Second Great South and West. This Second Great Awakening began in the Appalachian Awakening began in the Appalachian regions.regions.

In 1801 Presbyterians began the In 1801 Presbyterians began the "Cane Ridge Revivals" also known as "Cane Ridge Revivals" also known as camp meetings. They were daylong camp meetings. They were daylong revivals held in the wilderness of revivals held in the wilderness of Kentucky. Kentucky.

The first of these revivals at Cane The first of these revivals at Cane Ridge, Ky. lasted for weeks and was Ridge, Ky. lasted for weeks and was attended by over 25,000 people. attended by over 25,000 people.

Charles G. Finney was the best Charles G. Finney was the best known of the evangelists. He known of the evangelists. He converted over 500,000 people in his converted over 500,000 people in his career. career.

Finney preached that America should Finney preached that America should end slavery through spiritual revival. end slavery through spiritual revival. Missionary efforts were also Missionary efforts were also increased during this time period. increased during this time period. Missionaries were sent to Native Missionaries were sent to Native Americans and African-Americans. Americans and African-Americans.

In 1787 the African Methodist In 1787 the African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded Episcopal Church was founded by Richard Allen a former slave by Richard Allen a former slave and circuit rider. The AME and circuit rider. The AME maintained a collection of Negro maintained a collection of Negro spirituals which had a spirituals which had a tremendous influence on Church tremendous influence on Church music. music.

Foreign Missions also increased out Foreign Missions also increased out of the "Haystack Prayer Meeting" of the "Haystack Prayer Meeting" held in 1806 at Williams College. At held in 1806 at Williams College. At this meeting was Samuel Mills who this meeting was Samuel Mills who established the American Board in established the American Board in 1810, which sent missionaries across 1810, which sent missionaries across the globe. The most popular of these the globe. The most popular of these missionaries was Adoniram Judson missionaries was Adoniram Judson who was sent by the Board to Burma who was sent by the Board to Burma and converted over 500,000 people. and converted over 500,000 people.

Missionaries preparing to go abroad

The Second Great Awakening led The Second Great Awakening led many people to believe that the many people to believe that the second coming of Christ was near. second coming of Christ was near. Several of these groups settled in Several of these groups settled in western New York, the area came to western New York, the area came to be known as the "Burned Over be known as the "Burned Over District.“District.“

Millerites were who one these Millerites were who one these groups, founded by William Miller, groups, founded by William Miller, they believed the coming of Christ they believed the coming of Christ was going to happen on October 22, was going to happen on October 22, 1844. 1844.

They felt Christ would come in a They felt Christ would come in a blaze of fire. Even though Christ did blaze of fire. Even though Christ did not come the movement was not not come the movement was not ended though. ended though.

In 1830 Joseph Smith wrote the Book In 1830 Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon from visions he said he of Mormon from visions he said he received from angels. The Mormons received from angels. The Mormons were not welcome in the various were not welcome in the various states they migrated. In Nauvoo, Ill. states they migrated. In Nauvoo, Ill. they burned Mormon settlements they burned Mormon settlements and killed Smith. and killed Smith.

One of the most significant One of the most significant outgrowths of the Second Great outgrowths of the Second Great Awakening was the development of Awakening was the development of reform movements in an effort to reform movements in an effort to better society. better society.

Public education was scarce in the Public education was scarce in the early United States, only the children early United States, only the children of well to do families were able to of well to do families were able to attend schools in most areas and in attend schools in most areas and in the south hardly anyone regardless the south hardly anyone regardless of class received a proper education. of class received a proper education.

Early schools varied in the ways they Early schools varied in the ways they educated students. The American educated students. The American education system developed out of a education system developed out of a combination of schools that focused combination of schools that focused on education of students and on education of students and Lancaster schools. Lancaster schools Lancaster schools. Lancaster schools were designed to instill discipline were designed to instill discipline needed for life in the factory system. needed for life in the factory system.

Understanding that serious reforms Understanding that serious reforms were needed Horace Mann the were needed Horace Mann the secretary of Massachusetts Board of secretary of Massachusetts Board of Education, began to reform the Education, began to reform the school in the state. He increased school in the state. He increased the school year to 9 months, very the school year to 9 months, very closely tied to agricultural system. closely tied to agricultural system. He created primary grades. Mann He created primary grades. Mann broadened the curriculum and broadened the curriculum and advocated teaching the fine arts.advocated teaching the fine arts.

He suggested field trips be made He suggested field trips be made with essays written about them. He with essays written about them. He also created normal schools, which also created normal schools, which were the first teacher training were the first teacher training schools. In 1821 the first public high schools. In 1821 the first public high school was created in Boston. By school was created in Boston. By 1865 there were 600 high schools, 1865 there were 600 high schools, by 1900 there were 6,000.by 1900 there were 6,000.

Another reformer Noah Webster Another reformer Noah Webster wrote the wrote the Blue-backed speller Blue-backed speller used used by millions of students. by millions of students.

Higher education also saw Higher education also saw improvements as the Second Great improvements as the Second Great Awakening influenced the founding Awakening influenced the founding of many denominational, liberal arts of many denominational, liberal arts colleges. The problem was they colleges. The problem was they were like the old Ivy League schools were like the old Ivy League schools with narrow curriculums. with narrow curriculums.

Beginning in 1785 states began to Beginning in 1785 states began to charter universities with the charter universities with the creation of the University of Georgia creation of the University of Georgia and North Carolina.and North Carolina.

The purpose was to perpetuate The purpose was to perpetuate aristocratic systems of the South. For aristocratic systems of the South. For women higher education was looked women higher education was looked down upon. Few women's colleges down upon. Few women's colleges were established during the time were established during the time period.period.

Libraries were established in the Libraries were established in the mid-1850's as the need to educate mid-1850's as the need to educate adults was rising. Lyceums were also adults was rising. Lyceums were also created which were organizations created which were organizations that conducted discussions and that conducted discussions and established libraries.established libraries.

One of the most successful reform One of the most successful reform movements was the temperance movements was the temperance movement. The movement was movement. The movement was favored by the churches, by women favored by the churches, by women who believed alcohol destroyed the who believed alcohol destroyed the family, and businesses that thought family, and businesses that thought their employees would be more their employees would be more efficient. The original movement efficient. The original movement favored the moderation of alcohol favored the moderation of alcohol consumption but over time they consumption but over time they called for the complete abstinence called for the complete abstinence from it.from it.

Reforms were also made in Reforms were also made in prisons and insane asylums. prisons and insane asylums. Gone were the harsh penalties Gone were the harsh penalties of the colonial period and the of the colonial period and the number of capital offenses were number of capital offenses were reduced. Prisons became known reduced. Prisons became known as penitentiaries because they as penitentiaries because they wanted to reform the prisoners. wanted to reform the prisoners. This became difficult as This became difficult as overcrowding took place.overcrowding took place.

Insane asylums were especially Insane asylums were especially cruel, as people assumed the cruel, as people assumed the mental ill were possessed by mental ill were possessed by Satan. Dorothea Dix managed to Satan. Dorothea Dix managed to enact reforms in Massachusetts enact reforms in Massachusetts in which the insane were in which the insane were regarded as sick and not regarded as sick and not possessed.possessed.

Women began to demand Women began to demand reforms during a time period in reforms during a time period in which the dominant thought which the dominant thought was that their place was in the was that their place was in the home. Many women thought the home. Many women thought the home was more of a cage and home was more of a cage and wanted an actual role in society. wanted an actual role in society. Most women reformers came Most women reformers came from wealthy families and from wealthy families and tended to support the abolition tended to support the abolition movement as well.movement as well.

Two of the early women Two of the early women reformers were Quaker women reformers were Quaker women Lucretia Mott and Susan B. Lucretia Mott and Susan B. Anthony who demanded they be Anthony who demanded they be given rights. Elizabeth Cady given rights. Elizabeth Cady Stanton shocked many by Stanton shocked many by demanding women's suffrage. demanding women's suffrage. Many of these reformers met in Many of these reformers met in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848 Seneca Falls, New York in 1848 and drafted the "Declaration of and drafted the "Declaration of Sentiments."Sentiments."

They declared that all men and They declared that all men and women are created equal and women are created equal and demanded women's suffrage. demanded women's suffrage. The women's movement was The women's movement was overshadowed though by overshadowed though by antislavery campaigns. antislavery campaigns.

Early abolition movements were Early abolition movements were led by the Quakers during the led by the Quakers during the early years of the Republic. They early years of the Republic. They outlawed slavery in 1775 in outlawed slavery in 1775 in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania.

In 1817 the American In 1817 the American Colonization Society was founded Colonization Society was founded with the idea of transporting with the idea of transporting freed slaves back to Africa. In freed slaves back to Africa. In 1822 Liberia was established as a 1822 Liberia was established as a home for former slaves. Most home for former slaves. Most blacks had no desire to be blacks had no desire to be transported back to Africa and by transported back to Africa and by 1860 they were all born here in 1860 they were all born here in America.America.

The majority of abolitionists The majority of abolitionists advocated the gradual advocated the gradual emancipation of the slaves. emancipation of the slaves. Beginning in the 1830's abolitionists Beginning in the 1830's abolitionists began to call for the immediate end began to call for the immediate end to slavery; they were strongly to slavery; they were strongly influenced by the Second Great influenced by the Second Great Awakening in which preachers Awakening in which preachers condemned slavery as a sin. condemned slavery as a sin.

In 1831 William Lloyd Garrison In 1831 William Lloyd Garrison published the first edition of published the first edition of The The LiberatorLiberator, in which he stated he , in which he stated he would not tolerate the "poison of would not tolerate the "poison of slavery."slavery."

On July 4, 1854 Garrison burned a On July 4, 1854 Garrison burned a copy of the Constitution calling it an copy of the Constitution calling it an agreement with hell.agreement with hell.

The influence of Garrison’s work was The influence of Garrison’s work was immediate in the South as he was immediate in the South as he was viewed as a radical and a fanatic. He viewed as a radical and a fanatic. He wrote that southerners should be wrote that southerners should be afraid as well as their “Northern afraid as well as their “Northern apologists” of abolitionists. Because apologists” of abolitionists. Because of this, he was perceived as an of this, he was perceived as an advocate of violence. advocate of violence.

In 1833 Garrison and others In 1833 Garrison and others formed the American Anti-formed the American Anti-Slavery Society. African American Slavery Society. African American abolitionists became well known abolitionists became well known in the north. Garrison like Finney in the north. Garrison like Finney argued that slavery was a sin. argued that slavery was a sin. Southerners perceived Garrison Southerners perceived Garrison to be a radical fanatic and to be a radical fanatic and eventually came to look on all eventually came to look on all northerners as radical fanatics, northerners as radical fanatics, when in reality very few were. when in reality very few were.

This led southerners to produce This led southerners to produce even more radical defenses of even more radical defenses of slavery such as that of Gov. slavery such as that of Gov. George McDuffie of S.C who George McDuffie of S.C who argued that abolitionists should argued that abolitionists should be struck down by God for be struck down by God for causing the death of whites in causing the death of whites in the Nat Turner revolt. the Nat Turner revolt.

This image from a broadside of the American Anti-Slavery Society shows the battle between the "Eagle of Liberty" and the "Serpent of Slavery" (1838).

Many reformers looking to escape Many reformers looking to escape society began to establish Utopias in society began to establish Utopias in the wilderness. One group the the wilderness. One group the Shakers believed that they should Shakers believed that they should separate from normal life. The separate from normal life. The Shakers had a farm with a large Shakers had a farm with a large house built so that men and women house built so that men and women lived on opposite sides of the house lived on opposite sides of the house with contact coming only during with contact coming only during dinner. The Shakers no longer exist dinner. The Shakers no longer exist because they believed in life long because they believed in life long abstinence. abstinence.

In 1841 Brook Farm was established near In 1841 Brook Farm was established near Boston. The farm was started by intellectuals Boston. The farm was started by intellectuals believing in transcendentalism. The believing in transcendentalism. The transcendentalists came out of Unitarianism, transcendentalists came out of Unitarianism, which stressed intellectualism. Felt original sin which stressed intellectualism. Felt original sin was wrong. Approached God through the brain, was wrong. Approached God through the brain, the most important organ. Ralph Waldo the most important organ. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a former Unitarian minister, created Emerson, a former Unitarian minister, created transcendentalism; he left because he felt they transcendentalism; he left because he felt they had no feeling or emotion. had no feeling or emotion.

Transcendentalism, which is Transcendentalism, which is idealism, the idealist insists on idealism, the idealist insists on power of thought and will, on power of thought and will, on inspiration, on individual culture. inspiration, on individual culture. The Transcendentalist taught that a The Transcendentalist taught that a person could transcend reason by person could transcend reason by trusting in himself and in his own trusting in himself and in his own abilities. They believed that the abilities. They believed that the spirit of God and the spirit of man spirit of God and the spirit of man are one. They thought you should are one. They thought you should commune with nature. commune with nature.

For a time Nathaniel Hawthorne lived For a time Nathaniel Hawthorne lived at Brook Farm. Henry David Thoreau at Brook Farm. Henry David Thoreau lived like a monk, he wrote lived like a monk, he wrote Civil Civil DisobedienceDisobedience. He disliked . He disliked government, hated slavery, and government, hated slavery, and refused to pay taxes, which refused to pay taxes, which supported the Mexican-American supported the Mexican-American war. He believed in passive war. He believed in passive resistance.resistance.

During the 1800's American During the 1800's American literature came to be respected literature came to be respected with much of Europe. The early with much of Europe. The early 19th century was known as the 19th century was known as the Romantic Era. The Romantics Romantic Era. The Romantics thought you should break out of thought you should break out of traditional boundaries and use your traditional boundaries and use your imagination. You should pay imagination. You should pay attention to what is new and trust in attention to what is new and trust in your mind. There were no limits on your mind. There were no limits on a creative mind. They opposed a creative mind. They opposed government and slavery. government and slavery.

The most well known of the The most well known of the Romantics were Melville, Poe, and Romantics were Melville, Poe, and James Fenimore Cooper. Herman James Fenimore Cooper. Herman Melville’s Melville’s Moby DickMoby Dick suggested how suggested how the search for personal fulfillment the search for personal fulfillment and triumph could liberate but also and triumph could liberate but also destroy. For Melville, the human destroy. For Melville, the human spirit was a troubled, self destructive spirit was a troubled, self destructive force. force.

Edgar Allen Poe was a Southern Edgar Allen Poe was a Southern writer how embraced the search for writer how embraced the search for the essence of the human spirit. For the essence of the human spirit. For Poe the world contained pain and Poe the world contained pain and horror, expressed in his works such horror, expressed in his works such as the as the RavenRaven. .

Cooper was fascinated with the Cooper was fascinated with the shrinking American wilderness and shrinking American wilderness and man’s relationship with it. In man’s relationship with it. In particular, Cooper stressed the need particular, Cooper stressed the need to maintain discipline in a growing to maintain discipline in a growing AmericaAmerica. .

Thoreau Hawthorne Poe Emerson

Cooper Melville