Reforms in Religion
From the years of 1801 to the 1850's, many reforms had taken place in the United States. In August of 1801, over 10,000 people had gathered in a clearing in the woods to listen to religious songs. The preachers were Christian, and a revival of religious faith was taking place. These revivals lead to reforms in church and religion.
Many churches were reformed - and women were the key people reforming them. Sunday schools were set up during this period of time and children were taught about religion there.
Reforms in Workplace
Before the time of reform came, people used to want to become artisans and they traded. But later on, people started to work in factories, and this required reform in workplace. The working conditions in a factory were unsafe and the people who worked there were usually unskilled. In the 1830's, the workers began to organize and many associations were started. The work day was shortened and health and safety laws were passed.
Reforms in Education
Education for children became important during this time. But in the early 1800's, few children received good education. In reply to the demand for change by the Americans, Massachusetts set up the first Board of Education in the 1830's and the head was Horace Mann. By the 1850's, many states had school paid for by public tax. More people started going to high school and college. Not many women were able to attend these high schools and colleges until the 1880's, but this was a start for a raise in the nation's literacy. African-American schools began opening up as well.
Newspapers and Magazines
During this time, the nation's literacy rate went up, and new technology was created. In the 1830's, the price of a newspaper was reduced to just 1 cent. By 1833, America had 3 times as many newspapers as England. Hundreds of new magazines appeared during this time, namely politics magazines for men and fashion magazines for women.
Caring for the Needy
Before this time, the mentally ill were forced to live in cages or pens and were treated harshly. A woman names Dorothea Dix lobbied against this in 1841, and her requests led to the building of 32 new hospitals. The prisons were reformed along with this; they were split into sections and a new children's jail was put in. Prisons now tried to make bad people become good instead of just locking up bad people. Schools for the needy were constructed such as the Perkins School for the Blind by Samuel G. Howe. A man by the name of Thomas H. Gallaudet worked with the deaf and his works led to the construction of the first school for the deaf.
The Temperance Movement
In the early 1800's, heavy drinking was accepted by many and children could obtain these drinks just as easily as adults. Many reformers wanted to give up alcohol, and this was called the Temperance Movement. These reformers' pledges to never drink led to the ban on alcohol in the United States. This act was very powerful even though many people opposed it.
The Shakers
During this time, people tried to build perfect societies called utopias. These societies were based on religious principles. The Shakers were a community and their head was a woman named Ann Lee. They were called the Shakers because they would “shake” when god was speaking to them. The Shakers set up communities in New York, New England, and the frontier. They worked hard farming and made good, simple furniture. They worshipped on Sundays. The Shakers did not believe in having children so they relied on converts for new members. We still use their furniture today.
Lyman Beecher
Lyman Beecher was a powerful leader during the Second Great Awakening (the name for this period of time). He was a Presbyterian leader and also a leader in the Temperance movement - the movement to ban alcohol.
Barton W. Stone
Barton W. Stone was another religious leader and he helped build a Presbyterian church. He tried to unify all Christians and this movement was called the Restoration movement. Today, there is a college named after him in North Carolina.
Dorothea Dix
Dorothea Dix helped create more rights for the mentally ill. Her efforts to give the mentally ill better living areas and conditions led to the building of 32 new hospitals. She was a very successful reformer.
Charles Grandison Finney
Charles G. Finney conducted many religious meetings and allowed women to pray in public. He was a very good preacher and he was involved with the abolitionist movement. He did not like slavery at all and attacked it.
