A New Spirit of Change

Social Reform

Religious Reform

Second Great Awakening Rise of Evangelical movement Focus on women in churches Christian Revivals became popular in the growing west New groups that grew from the Reform:

Utopian Societies Groups that withdrew from Organized Religion

Shakers Socially radical religious groups

Mormons Joseph Smith established a Christian Theocracy in Utah

Temperance Movement

A violation of Christian Law Led by women The focus of the Temperance Movement was to

stop the drinking of alcohol On average, men spent about 60% of their

wages on alcohol The 18th Amendment was the result of the

Temperance Movement

Worker’s Rights and Reform

The average factory worker worked 12 to 14 hours per day…6 days per week

Child labor (working children as young as 8 years old) Labor Unions were created to improve working

conditions Labor Unions used strikes to persuade management. Eliminated Child Labor Established 5 day – 40 hour week.

Education Reform

Initially education was for those who could afford it

Most of the initial schools were led by churches Horace Mann led the movement to establish

public education The first public high school was opened in

Boston in 1821. Most women and African Americans were not

allowed into public schools until the late 1800s

Women’s Suffrage

Women were considered to be inferior to men By the mid 1800s, women focused on women’s

right to vote and abolitionism Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Lucretia Mott led the

Women’s Suffrage Movement The Seneca Falls Convention was first national

meeting The meeting urged the first proposed

amendment for women’s vote (Failed)

Political Reform

Monroe Doctrine James Monroe – 5th President (1817 –

1825) – “The Era of Good Feelings” The Doctrine stated that no European

nation could colonize the Americas. Reasoning – “To protect the peace and

safety of the United States”.