Outline "Creating an American Culture"
Creating an American Culture – 1790-1860
I. Religion – by 1850 ¾ claim to be religious, but not most far from Puritan form A. Deism – God is great clockmaker – founding fathers B. Unitarianism – God is loving creator, father figure, people control destiny C. Second Great Awakening – attempt to return to conservative religious practice 1. Effects – more converted, some churches destroyed, others created a. Methodists/Baptists – poor attracted/non-traditional 2. Camp Meetings – traveling preachers, thousands gather, get “saved” D. Mormon – Joseph Smith – organized, group dynamic – new message from God 1. Feared by neighbors – voted as unit, polygamy, n ot individualistic 2. Brigham Young moved to Utah – MO and Ohio kicked out
II. Education Reform – creation of public schools/state sponsored universities A. Before – public schools seen as for poor only – convinced that education benefits society B. Little Red Schoolhouse – not effective, multiple grades one room, poorly trained teachers C. Horace Mann – longer school term, better teacher training/pay D. Universities start for women + state supported universities E. Create common school texts to be shared across nation – Webster’s Speller
III. Reform Movements – inspired by Great Awakening – on earth you should try to combat evil A. Women – considered keeper’s of nation’s morals – led movement a. Gained more power – especially on frontier – supply and demand B. Some say those involved for self-centered reasons – they get to create society to benefit self C. Temperance – excess drinking affecting labor, family, crime, and rowdy social occasions a. Choices – temperance (moderate use) or legislation i. Women’s usage actually decreases D. Jails – not just punishment but help “penitentiaries” (penance) or “correctional facilities” E. Mentally ill – Dorothea Dix – better treatment living
I. Religion – by 1850 ¾ claim to be religious, but not most far from Puritan form A. Deism – God is great clockmaker – founding fathers B. Unitarianism – God is loving creator, father figure, people control destiny C. Second Great Awakening – attempt to return to conservative religious practice 1. Effects – more converted, some churches destroyed, others created a. Methodists/Baptists – poor attracted/non-traditional 2. Camp Meetings – traveling preachers, thousands gather, get “saved” D. Mormon – Joseph Smith – organized, group dynamic – new message from God 1. Feared by neighbors – voted as unit, polygamy, n ot individualistic 2. Brigham Young moved to Utah – MO and Ohio kicked out
II. Education Reform – creation of public schools/state sponsored universities A. Before – public schools seen as for poor only – convinced that education benefits society B. Little Red Schoolhouse – not effective, multiple grades one room, poorly trained teachers C. Horace Mann – longer school term, better teacher training/pay D. Universities start for women + state supported universities E. Create common school texts to be shared across nation – Webster’s Speller
III. Reform Movements – inspired by Great Awakening – on earth you should try to combat evil A. Women – considered keeper’s of nation’s morals – led movement a. Gained more power – especially on frontier – supply and demand B. Some say those involved for self-centered reasons – they get to create society to benefit self C. Temperance – excess drinking affecting labor, family, crime, and rowdy social occasions a. Choices – temperance (moderate use) or legislation i. Women’s usage actually decreases D. Jails – not just punishment but help “penitentiaries” (penance) or “correctional facilities” E. Mentally ill – Dorothea Dix – better treatment living