Life in 1850s – 1900s
During the 19th Century, there were
movements in America that impacted all
sections of the nation. Some of these
movements would lead to even greater
tensions between the North and the South.
Take notes on the main idea, not all of
the facts.
Life in 1850s – 1900s
Go through your notes and highlight the
different movements that we will be
studying.
Immigration
1840 and 1860 - 4 million Europeans immigrated to America
3 million came from Ireland and Germany.
1845 - the Potato Famine -potato blight, a
disease that causes rot in potatoes, left may
families in Ireland with little food.
1.5 million Irish died
In 1848, Germans staged a revolution against
their government. Many fled the country to
escape persecution. German immigrants did a
little better assimilating to American culture
because they had money, they were farmers
and moved inland, and they were Protestants.
Irish Potato Famine
When Irish Immigrants moved to America, many were
enrolled in the army immediately. Listen to the words in
“Paddy’s Lament.”
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Anti Immigration Movements
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Americans were threatened
by immigrants.
They feared losing jobs to
them and they were
threatened by the new
immigrants’ cultures and
religions.
Americans did not trust
Catholic immigrants.
Those Americans and others
who opposed immigration
were called nativists.
Anti Immigration Movements
The Know Nothing Party – 1849
They were English Protestants who tried to keep immigrants from becoming
citizens or holding office. They thought the Pope was guiding the Catholics to
ruin democracy. They were a secret, anti immigrant faction who, when asked
questions, would reply, “I know nothing.”
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Growth of Cities
1. The Industrial Revolution led to new jobs in the cities. The rise of
industry and the growth of cities changed American life.
2. Those who owned their own businesses benefited most The
families of these merchants made up the growing middle class.
They built large homes that demonstrated their wealth.
3. In the growing cities, people found libraries, clubs, concert halls,
theaters, lectures, bowling, and card hall.
Growth of Cities
City residents had to live near their
workplaces. Many city dwellers particularly
immigrants, could only afford to live in
tenements – poorly designed apartment
buildings that housed large numbers of
people. These structures were dirty,
overcrowded, and unsafe.
Growth of Cities
Public services were also poor. Most cities didn’t have clean water,
public health regulations, nor healthy ways to dispose of garbage.
The result was disease.
There was also a lot of criminal activity and fires.
City Life in New York in late 19th Century
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Second Great Awakening
During the 1800s, some Americans took part in
a Christian renewal movement called the
Second Great Awakening.
Charles Grandison Finney was the most
important leaders of the 2nd Great Awakening.
He challenged traditional Protestant beliefs by
preaching:
• People are responsible for their own
salvation, it wasn’t predetermined
• Sin was avoidable
As a result of the Second Great Awakening,
church membership across the country grew a
great deal.
Second Great Awakening
• What it was
New Churches
• Methodists
• Charles G. Finney’s
Revivals
• Unitarians
• Mormons
• Shakers
Impact of the 2nd Great
Awakening
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Temperance Movement
Renewed religious faith led to
other social reforms. Many
social reformers worked to
prevent alcohol abuse.
In the 1830s, Americans, on
average, consumed seven
gallons of alcohol per year.
Today, Americans on average
consume 2.5 gallons a year.
Temperance Movement
Americans worried that
alcohol caused problems like
family violence, poverty and
criminal behavior.
They started the temperance
movement, a reform effort
urging people to stop drinking
hard liquor.
Reformers wanted people to
limit themselves to beer or
wine in small amounts.
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Educational Reforms
What was school like?
• Most only went until 8th grade
• Kids came and went as they
were needed in the fields
• 1 room schoolhouses with
kids of all ages
• Rich families went to private
schools
• Girls could go to school but it
was considered unnecessary
Here’s an example of a education in the 19th Century.
Little House on the Prairie
Educational Reforms
How did it change?
Horace Mann led the common school movement. He
wanted all kids taught in a common place regardless of
their background. He put money into education and:
• raised teacher pay
• lengthened the school year
• Started teacher training program
Catherine Beecher- all-female academy
Mary Lyon - Mt. Holyoke, first female college
Samuel Gridley Howe- Perkins School for Blind
Thomas Gallaudet – Free school for deaf
Educational Reforms
Perkins School for Blind
This is where famous teacher for the blind Anne
Sullivan was educated. Partially blind herself, Anne
was asked to teach deaf, blind & mute 6-year old
child Helen Keller. After a rocky start, Anne and
Helen Keller became lifelong friends. Keller spend
her life writing and helping the blind and deaf.
Anne Sullivan 1866 – 1936
Helen Keller 1880 - 1968
Helen Keller with
Alexander
Graham Bell
Helen Keller with President
Kennedy, 1960
Helen Keller with First Lady
Eleanor Roosevelt, 1955
Here is rare 1930 footage of Anne Sullivan explaining
how she taught Helen Keller.
“The most pathetic person in the world is someone
who has sight but no vision.”
–Helen Keller
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African American Advancements
Free African Americans
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Not all African Americans were slaves.
Lived in segregated communities
Richard Allen – former slave, started African Methodist
Episcopal Church that taught racial equality and education
for blacks.
Alexander Crummel – created black schools in Philadelphia
and educated hundreds of children (Philly was center of
Quakers who believed strongly in equality.)
African American Advancements
Free African Americans
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By 1855, Boston outlaws segregation!!
1835 – Oberlin College in Ohio is the first to admit Afican
Americans, followed by Harvard.
1842 – Institute for Colored Youth (college) opened in
Philadelphia
1849 – Avery College, a black college, opens in Pennsylvania.
Oberlin College, Women Graduates 1855
African American Advancements
South
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No opportunities in the South
Laws in the South barred most slaves from
getting education
Some slaves learned to read and write on their
own in secret
Slaveholders feared that education might lead
to the spirit of freedom and revolt.
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The End
Turn back to the page in your notes about Civil War
Essential Questions Essays.
Based on what we just learned, so you have new
information to answer the question, How do people
protest?