Reform Movements of the North - February 21, 2008

Today's agenda:
1. Reform Movements in the North (pg 27)
2. Women's Rights Convention (pg 28)
HW: Reform Poster(pg 29)
HW: Vocab (pg 30) - due March 4/5

Absent today? Read pages 288-304 in your textbook (for "Reform Movements"), and then you can download all the handouts HERE.

Today in history we studied the many reform movements begun in the North between 1800 and 1850. These movements were inspired by the religious revival of the Second Great Awakening. American Christians in the North were inspired to improve themselves, and the world around them.

Reformers sought change in the areas of:
- Treatment of prisoners
- Treatment of the mentally ill
- Education
- Abolition of slavery
- Temperance (ban on alcohol)
- Women's rights

One of the most interesting figures in the temperance movement was Carrie Nation. She actually appeared a little bit later in the 19th century, but she was quite a character. With her trademark axe, she went from tavern to tavern smashing containers of alcohol. Want to find out more about this fascinating individual? Check out these sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_Nation
http://www.kshs.org/exhibits/carry/carry1.htm

They even have a Carry (it can be spelled either way) Nation festival in Michigan! I doubt they serve wine or beer there! :-) Check it out here:
http://www.carrynation.org/

Next class, we'll begin our study of the South.

RVI