1800s - The Reform (14 mar 1800 ano – 18 mar 1899 ano)

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The Reform - 1800s
In the 1800s, the United States were experiencing a series of social reform movements led and inspired by Revivalists and Transcendentalists. Many people set out to change society, inspired by a sense of moral duty and by the belief that people could become better. These reformers saw several problems in areas within poverty, crime, work conditions, the way mental illness and disabilities were treated, alcoholism and women’s rights among others, and they wanted to do something about these issues. Most reformers were essentially women from the growing urban middle class, who had more free time due to their social status. These women called for solutions, laws, and regulations to these areas which had for a long time been ignored or neglected.
Temperance (Anti alcohol movement): this was a major effort aiming to reduce alcohol consumption in the US. Drinking was extremely common and habitual in the States, and reformers believed it was causing social issues such as violence and poverty. This movement ended up being quite problematic, as it splitted these reformers into two groups; those who believed the idea of consuming alcohol moderately should be promoted and those who believed alcohol should be completely banned.
Prisons and Asylums: Most reformers believed people were naturally good and those who had committed a crime or were mentally ill or disabled could be improved. These beliefs led to a series of changes and reforms in prisons and asylums. Institutions such as penitentiaries started to arise, which focused on rehabilitating people, making them reflect and reform, rather than simply punishing them. Asylums were also created to separate criminals from the mentally ill and disabled, to provide better treatment as these were for the most part abused and neglected.
Women’s Rights: Most women in the 1800s had limited to no rights, and their role was a prescribed one; their scope was limited to home and family. While some supported these domestic spheres of their roles, others saw it was restrictive and limiting, thus they fight for more equality. These fights became more fervent in 1840 when activities from the Anti-slavery movement were discussing whether women should even participate in this movement. This led to the famous Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 in which reformers issued the Declaration of Sentiments which called for equal rights for both women and men. The progress of this movement was rather slow, as women still had limited rights over properties and little to no opportunities when it came to professional or educational growth. However, this movement led the foundation for the ongoing Women’s Rights movement, in which several women dedicated their lives to fighting for women’s rights.

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