Reforming American Society
A religious revival sparks reform movements,
including calls to outlaw slavery. Factory
laborers begin to demand better working
conditions. A women’s rights movement forms.
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8.1
Religion Sparks Reform
A renewal of religious sentiment—known as
the Second Great Awakening—inspires a host
of reform movements.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjt392
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I. The Second Great Awakening
A. Religious Activism
• religious revival movement, sweeps U.S. after
1790
• Individual responsible for own salvation, can
improve self, society
• Charles G. Finney inspires emotional
religious faith
B. Revivalism
• Revival—gathering to awaken religious
faith; lasts 4 to 5 days, greatly increases
church membership
Continued . . .
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II. Transcendentalism and
Reforms
A. Transcendentalism
• Ralph Waldo Emerson leads group:
- literary and philosophical movement
- emphasizes simple life, truth found in nature
• Henry David Thoreau puts self-reliance into
practice, writes Walden
• Thoreau urges civil disobedience, peaceful
refusal to obey laws
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III. Americans Form Ideal
Communities
A. Utopias
• Utopian communities—
experimental groups,
try to create perfect place
• Most last only a few years
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IV. Schools and Prisons Undergo Reform
A. Reforming Asylums and Prisons
• Dorothea Dix gets 10 states to improve
conditions for mentally ill
• stress rehabilitation to obtain position in society
B. Improving Education
• Horace Mann establishes teacher training,
curriculum/ public school reforms
• By 1850s, all states have publicly funded
elementary schools
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