May 11, 2014
The Reform Movement
This theme explores diverse movements focusing on a wide range of issues, including education, temperance, gay rights, public health and sanitation, and politics.
Blanca Acevedo
Jose Hernandez
Valeria Mucharraz
Alyssa Wilhite
Jorge Vasquez
The 1700’s
During the 1700s, religious reform spread throughout Europe and the American colonies. The Enlightenment was a cultural movement using ideas to challenge the ideals of faith and tradition. While in America, the Great Awakening swept protestant European evangelism and revitalization through Christianity making it a commitment to a new standard of personal morality. George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards both influenced the importance of religious experience sparking the Great Awakening. The Great Awakening led to the further improvements of American Education creating Ivy League schools promoting puritan education. Soon After, American tribes from the great lakes region specifically a man named Pontiac, led a group into the Ohio valley in resentment of the English policies, killing 2000 settlers. This came to be known as Pontiac’s Rebellion. Eventually another reform movement known a Shay’s Rebellion occurred. Daniel Shay and other local leaders revolted against the high taxes and stringent economic conditions. Lastly, the Whiskey Rebellion in which farmers resisted a heavy tax on whiskey. The 1700’s was an era of little reform movement causing further expansion changing society in the 19th century.
1800-1850
During the beginning of the 19th century the United States was busy creating its role as a nation. In the early half of the 19th century the Jacksonian democracy spread influencing the white race. It allowed white makes too enjoy the right of universal white manhood suffrage, which gave them the right to vote even if they did not own land. The Second Great Awakening the nation worried about eliminating the world of society evils. Many of the social evils comparatively alcohol and poverty of the world were endeavored to be eliminated. Urban society was ineffectual in dealing with the rapid expansion of diseases due to poor sanitation. During the time, many of the reform movements were led by middle-class women who were victims of society evil. The Temperance Movement vowed for people to pledge not to intake alcohol beverages and to fight for the prohibition of liquor. Additionally, Prostitution was a battle that many women fought for in the Female Moral Reform Society to end the profession and to enforce rehabilitation on women involved in prostitution. A utopian group known as the shakers, separated from the Quakers,assumedthat the church focused too much weight on the life of the world and neglected the afterlife. Another utopian group, the Brook Farm, was founded by a joint stock market that promised its participants portions of the profits they made with the farm in exchange of equal share of work. Eventually, a woman named Dorthea Dix fought on the behalf of the indigent insane who created the generation of American mental asylums, by fighting a vigorous program in the state legislatures and the United States Congress. Social activists pressed for prison reform instead of simply confining criminals they focused on their recovery offering rehabilitation for the insane, instead of putting them in prison. While people fought for prison reform, Mormons were avoiding persecution in the east, and traveled west to a successful society. In the 1830s and the 1840s public schooling was being offered to educate children, mostly males. During this time the Hudson River School of Art opened up being the first distinct school of American art. Horace Mann established the first normal school pushing for great equalization in education. In the early 19th century people pushed to change the era by reducing social tribulations and the importance of an organized public education system.
1851-1900
The late 1800s aided to repair the problems created due to poverty andsoon enough that would later lead to the Progressive movement early on in the 20th century. Every state had already banned lotteries and forbid gambling by 1860. There was a possibility in decreasing of debt as Americans wanted to silver into backing American fund, which would lead to lower value in the dollar. Farmers were a fan of it as much of Northern banks were not in favor of it. This was known as the problems over Gold Standard. Power became a big advantage to political figures fixing the problem of poverty by giving the poor jobs so that these figures can achieve success. Another strategy they use to reach success were horizontal integration, which merge many similar leveled companies into one powerful and larger company, and vertical integration, allowing bosses to buy all raw materials and mean of production to improve their product. The U.S. then passed the ShermanAntitrust Act of 1890 that focused on limiting these political successors, which ban and stated “Every contract, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce…. declared illegal.” This affected them very little, but made an impacted on trade unions into a negative way. Railroads start to become a big part of transportation, especially after the Civil War. This led to the Interstate Commerce Act that allowed regulating unfair and unethical practices on the railroads. A Century of Dishonor authored by Helen Hunt Jackson, chronicle d the experiences of Native Americans in the United States, focusing the injustices. Because of this, reformers were given the Dawes Severalty Act in 1887 which allowed the land of reservations to be separated and distributed to each of the Native American families. Andrew Carnegie helped spread idea that in business, only the fittest were to survive and the wealthy were in charge of taking care of the less fortunate, which was the idea of Social Darwinism. Carnegie created the article Gospel of Wealth, which described a responsibility of philanthropy by the upper class and self-made rich and the danger of having large amount of money fall into the “wrong hands”. Dorothea Dix led the fight for better care of patients or residents in American psychiatric institutions. As for Jane Addams, she created the Hull House that would provide daycares, educated immigrants about the culture and language of America, and classes for children of parents who were fighting poverty. Civil service reforms came in with the Pendleton Act, a federal law that forbid government jobs be awarded on basis of merit. The Populists were a political group that main idea was bettering society by protecting people. The campaigned thins as in shorter work days, and was the start for the progressive movement of 20th century. The 1850-1900s aimed to battle poverty and ended with rally of Progressive Ideals.
1901-1950
Many of the reform movements that took place in the first half of the 20th century are in the time period of the Progressive Era. Progressives were middle-class, urban, working people who wanted the government to have a greater grip in reform while maintaining a capitalist economy. The National Women Suffrage Association, American Bar Association and National Municipal league are some of the progressive groups. During this time women were achieving many reforms; Margaret Sanger led a group in the promotion of contraceptives so women could control when and if they had children. The greatest success that the Feminist Movement accomplished was obtaining the right for women to vote known as the 19th amendment. This would lead in women having more power electing leaders that would benefit them more. Another group that promoted reform during the progressive era was the “muckrakers.” These were people who would expose corporation and government misconduct. Some of these muckrakers were Lincoln Steffens who wrote The Shane of the cities,Ida Tarbell writer of History of Standard Oiland Upton Sinclair with The Jungle. These journalists exposed and improved different areas in people’s lives. One progressive leader, Robert Lafollette, led the way for progressive state leaders. Many states followed his path by adopting the ballot initiative which gave voters the power to propose new laws; the referendum which allowed the public to vote on new laws; and recall election which gave the public the power to remove officials. These laws extended the power to voters. The greatest and most successful progressive leader was Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt successfully used the Sharman Antitrust Act dissolving monopolies because he understood they were a problemtaking away right from individuals. Teddy Roosevelt also succeeded in regulating food and drugs to protect the land from overdevelopment. The next president William Taft kept Teddy Roosevelt’s reforms rolling and succeeded in adopting the 16th amendment (National income tax) and the 17th amendment (direct elections of senators). He was able to give more power to the people. Woodrow Wilson was the last progressive ear president who created the Federal Trade Commission enforced the Clayton-Antitrust Act of 191, and helped create the Federal Reserve all which gave the federal government more control of the nation’s finances. The progressive era came to an end at the end of ww1. Prohibition (18th amendment) also took place in this time period but was later repelled by the 21st amendment. Between 1920 and 1933 many reforms were achieved but overturned for example the minimum wage law for women and the child labor restriction. In the early 20th century many reforms took place eventuallyentering the second half of the century with many more.
1951-present day
Many reform movements sprung out during the late 20ths century while John F. Kennedy was in office there were many concerns after World War II which persuaded Kennedy to encourage the American society with New Frontier that gave hope for the change in policies. After the devastating assassination of Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into office. Several of Johnson’s ideas were to aid education, the attack on disease (Medicare), prevention of crime and delinquency. His beliefs’ were known as the Great Society. In 1963, a poverty case went to the Supreme Court. In Gideon v. wainwright the Supreme Court ruled that the constitution required the states to provide defense attorneys to criminal defendants that have been charged with serious offenses and cannot afford lawyers themselves. This is now known as the 14th amendment that offers equal protection to all citizens under the law. As the 20th century progressed citizens began to break free from conformity for instance the Daughter of Biltis was the first lesbian rights organization in 1955, it was formed as a social alternative to homosexual bars which were subject to police raids. This organization has not only served homosexual citizens but also informed researchers and mental health professionals. Soon After in 1963, Ernesto Miranda was arrested for tape, kidnapping and robbery but was not informed of his rights prior to the police interrogation. This case made the 5th amendment give criminals the right to refuse to incriminate them; this is known as the Miranda v. Arizona. Later, theFree Speech Movement took place in 1964 at the University of California in Berkley. This was led by Naria Sauio, Michael Rossman and Jack Weinberg; a former graduate refused to show his I.D. to the police and was arrested. Students then surrounded the police car and the police car was unable to move for 32 hours. Many protests broke out at Berkeley pertaining to free speech. In January, everything slowed down and Martin Meyer sent the new chancellor, set rules that allowed students to gather at certain times of the day. The Free Speech Movement was lucent because it allowed students to gather without being arrested. Another free speech movement that was originated in San Francisco was the Beat Movement. These movements’ followers were known as the beatnilles. They adopted a uniform style with a “modern” slang vocabulary borrowed from jazz musicians. The reform movements have progressed throughout the 17th century up until the 21st century and have had a tremendous impact on society today.
Vocabulary
1700s
Enlightenment- a European intellectual movement that promoted individualism over influenced by ancient philosophy
Great Awakening (1740-1742) - religious revival spread through both Europe and the colonies in the 1730’s and 1740’s
George Whitefield- an English Anglican preacher who encouraged the spread of the great awakening throughout Britain and the American colonies.
Jonathan Edwards- a Christian preacher who shaped the first Great Awakening. He delivered “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” to his own congregation with little effect.
Pontiac’s rebellion- started in 1763, launched by American tribes from the Great Lakes region. Pontiac was an Ottawa chief, who started an attack on fort Detroit killing 2000 settlers.
Shay’s rebellion (Aug. 1786- Feb 1787) – a revolt in western Massachusetts, in resentment to high taxes and stringent economic conditions, Daniel Shay and other local leaders led a force of about 1200 men in an attack on the Federal Arsenal, which was repulsed.
Whiskey rebellion (1791) - a group of farmers protested against a heavy tax on whiskey in hopes of reform.
1800-1850
Jacksonian Democracy- where Jackson believed in a nation that was governed by upper and middle class property owners, where the government was necessary.
Universal White Manhood Suffrage- gave all white males the right to vote regardless of ownership of land.
Second Great Awakening- this was a Religious revival that provoked reform societies.
Temperance movements- reform for abstinence of alcoholic beverages and prohibition of alcohol.
The Female Moral Reform Society- fought against female prostitution in American cities.
Prostitution- the act or practice of engaging in sexual intercourse for money
Dorthea Dix- activist on behalf of the indigent insane and created the first generation of American mental asylums.
Utopian groups- they were groups that aimed for a “perfect” society.
Brook Farm- a joint stock company promised its participants a portion of the profits of farm in exchange for an equal share of work.
The Mormons- a successful religious group that prospered on the ideal of a strong sense of community.
Horace Mann- believed that education is the great equalizer.
The Hudson River School of Art- the first distinct school of American art.
1851-1900
Andrew Carnegie-was a Scottish-American industrialist who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century.
Civil service reform - changing the way that people were allowed to get government jobs, contradicting the commonplace “spoils system”
Dawes Severalty Act–Divided the reservation land and sorted them throughout the families of Native Americans.
Dorothea Dix - encouraged the progression of penitentiaries, asylums and orphanages
Gold Standard - the support of the U.S. currency with reserves of gold
Gospel of Wealth - accredited by Andrew Carnegie; encouraged philanthropy
Horizontal integration - combines many businesses into one giant monopoly
Hull House - poverty house formed by Jane Addams to instill immigrants with proper literacy, provide daycare for working mothers, and supervision classes for parents
Interstate Commerce Act–allowed regulating unfair and unethical practices on the railroads.
Jane Addams – American social reformer founded the Hull House.
Pendleton Act - a federal law established that forbid that government jobs should be awarded on the basis of merit
Populists - a political group that promoted in bettering the society by protecting its people.
Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 - prohibited any combinationor conspiracy in the limitation of trade.
Vertical integration - permits companies to buy all raw materials and resources of production to advance their product
1901-1950
Progressives- urban middle-class workers that desired to increase the role of government through reform
Muckrakers- journalists who exposed corporate greed and misconduct
Lincoln Steffens- writer of “The Shame of Cities”
Ida Tarbell- Writer of “History of Standard Oil”
Upton Sinclair- writer of “The Jungle”
Margaret Sanger- promoted contraceptives
19thamendment (1920) - women’s right to vote
Robert La Follette- governor of Wisconsin/ Progressive leader
Ballot initiative- voters can promote new laws
Referendum- public could vote on new laws
Recall election- power for voters to remove officials
Theodore Roosevelt- most prominent progressive leader, United States President
Sherman Antitrust Act- destroy monopolies
William Taft- progressive leader and U.S. president
Woodrow Wilson- last progressive era president
Federal Trade Commission-is the promotion ofconsumer protection and the elimination and prevention of anticompetitive business practices, such ascoercive monopoly.