19th Century: Social Movements In The United States

The Unites States experienced many social movements during the 19th century. Women served as the backbone in many of these huge social movements. From the Temperance Movement to Abolitionist Movement women who sought equal rights were absolutely instrumental in bringing social progress.
Although, many men in the elite upper class published on the idea of separate spheres many poor and minority women were working for wages and many middle-class women were involved in education, churches, and reform movements in the 19th century. Women were the powerful reformers behind Abolition Movement. Women in the Northeastern portion of the United States were detrimental in fighting the vile institution of slavery. Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin is one example of women not only being a part of the Abolition Movement, but actually driving it. As women in the Abolition Movement called on the equal treatment of African Americans it began to stir up many in their ranks who wanted their full rights as Americans. Many of these women rejected the idea of Republican Motherhood or “influence” that could change
In the midst of women participating in other movements, several women finally collectively met in Seneca Falls, New York to demand the right to vote. By seeing how powerful they could be in other movements they then focused on their own injustices and then demanded their rights. Women were met with opposition by those who wanted to keep women in the “private sphere” but by this time it was much too late since women had already influenced politics through unions, published works, and general involvement. Many of these women would not see their dreams fulfilled, for it was not until later in the 20th century women received the right to vote as citizens of the United