Dbq: Reform Movements

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DBQ: Reform Movements From 1825-1850, there was a series of political and social reforms throughout the United States that sought to shape democracy. At the time, there was a desire for the country to conform to a utopian-like society. In order to fulfill this vision, many changes had to be made. Many reforms focused on issues such as temperance, the public education system, rehabilitation, women’s suffrage, and the abolition of slavery. In the United States, there was a sort of “temperance crusade” per say happening at the time. Alcoholism was a serious problem in antebellum America, affecting almost every family. Wives of alcoholic husbands were especially involved in this movement. They were often abused by their drunken spouse and money meant for the entire household was often spent on booze. Document H expresses the views on how alcohol substance abuse can be detrimental to a person. As shown in “Step 9” of the picture, we find that the man eventually dies by “suicide” because he chose to go down this dark path in his life. In order to stop this madness from expanding, two reform organizations emerged. They were known as the Washington Temperance Society and the American Society for the Promotion of Temperance. Many of the leading members were reformed alcoholics preaching their woes. Soon thereafter, we find that the abstinence towards alcohol grew as more people began to change their lives around for the better. Interest in public education was also vastly growing at this time as well. The greatest educational reformer of all time, Horace Mann, believed highly in the importance of public education. According to him, it was the only way to protect democracy because it was essential to the political system. Because of his feverish hard work, numerous children received the opportunity to be educated for free. However, this was not a 100% guarantee for
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