Reformation Dbq

AP US History: Chapter 11 DBQ

Through 1820 to 1860 was a time period of extensive reformation. This "Age of Reform" as it is called, brought immensely drastic movements and reforms. Countless types of social issues were discussed during this time. Slavery, religion, women's rights, alcohol use, utopianism, education and prison conditions were all topics of debate during this era of reformation. Although many reforms were made during the 1800s, the reforms that depended on moral changes of individuals were more successful and accepted compared to those of institutional change which were unsuccessful and denied.
Moral reformations were changes based on beliefs and principles while institutional reformations were changes that were forced upon people despite in what they believed in.   Reformations of morals tended to be beneficial to society and well-accepted. Horace Mann once wrote, “I believe in the existence of a great immortal, immutable principle of natural law, or natural ethics… which proves the absolute right to an education of every human being...” (Document A). Mann believed that people deserve education but did not harshly push it unto others. The United States began building more and more free public schools. This led to an increase of educated people. An increase in education led to industrious and productive societies, developing the human culture more and more.   The wealth of the nations also increased in response to the rising education rates. Henry Highland Garnet, was a runaway slave that stood up for slaves’ rights. He supported that slaves should be determined to be free and have their freedom.   Like Mann, Garnet believed in his morals. He did not force other slaves to fight for their rights, he wished to convince them and help them. “..and then go to your lordly enslavers and tell them plainly, that you are determined to be free.” (Document B).   Morals such as those of Garnet influenced many slaves to persevere for their rights   which led to... [continues]

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