Reform Movements: Part B

List several evils that the reformers of the period 1820-1860 tried to eliminate. Gender inequality and slavery were the two biggest evils that reformers tried eliminating in the time period. The abolition of slavery had many reformers behind it. Two very important men trying to achieve this were Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison, a white man, going to show there was support from all types of people. Two of the women’s rights advocates were Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Sarah Grimke. They both achieved great things to help out their cause. Although slavery and gender equality are arguably the most important evils in the time period there were still many other. One of these was alcohol. During the time period the Temperance Movement grew and advocates like Lyman Beecher and Father Mathew gained many supporters. The poor quality of education was also addressed by many reformers of the time. Some reformers though, had more specific ideas. For example Dr. Graham wanted to eliminate impure foods from people’s diets and Ralph Emerson wanted to rid society of organized institutions which were leading to corruption.

What factors created a climate favorable to reform in the early 19th century? Several factors led to a favorable climate for reform in each of the specific movements as well as one major factor that applied to all. The specific factors included a rising amount of alcohol consumption, leading to the Temperance Movement, poor education, of course leading to reform in education, and freed slaves reaching the North, helping with the abolitionist’s cause. The main factor, however, that applied to all of the movements and allowed them to better address their cause was the printing press and a growing readership of newspapers. Since more and more newspapers and propaganda were getting out there, and more and more people were beginning to read it, it made it so that the reformer’s causes were known to everyone.

What common vision of a better world