Chapter 15 – New Movements in America (1815 – 1850)

1. Chapter 15 – New Movements in America (1815 – 1850)

2. America’s “spiritual” awakening Many new ideas became trendy throughout this period of time. Philosophers promoting transcendentalism (the belief that people can rise about material things in life) – depend on yourself and not others. People were looking to “find themselves” through religion – the Second Great Awakening – when preachers brought up radical new ideas. But, under the 1st amendment, govts were not allowed to limit religious messages! Church membership grew like crazy!

3. Romantic Movement Not flowers and candy…but spirituality and leading the “simple life”, experiencing nature, recognizing individuality… Focus of works were on landscapes, nature, history (slavery, in particular), democracy, and American individualism.

4. Famous artists and writers… Emily Dickenson (poetry) Herman Melville (Moby Dick) Edgar Allen Poe (The Raven) Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (poet – Hiawatha) Thomas Cole (painter)

5. Response to Immigration This is a period of increasing immigration all over the world. Most immigrants coming to the US from Europe came in through Ellis Island, NY. If they came from Asia, they entered at Angel Island in San Francisco. Why did they come? Political, religious, or economic reasons… Many Irish Catholics, for example, were willing to work for just about anything…many Americans born here (known as Nativists) were opposed to immigration, especially Irish Catholics! They formed their own political party – the Know-Nothing Party! They wanted Catholics out of public office and to raise citizenship requirements to 21 years before gaining citizenship! Mostly in Massachusetts, you can imagine that this party didn’t stay around long.

6. Climb the “stairs of separation” “Scanning the moving line for signs of illness, Public Health Service doctors looked to see if anyone wheezed, coughed, shuffled, or limped as they climbed the steep ascent. Children were asked their name to make sure they weren't deaf or dumb, and those that looked over two-years-old were taken from their mothers' arms and made to walk.” www. freepages.family.rootsweb.ancestry.com/-gregkrenzenick/Ellis%20island.html

7. Ellis Island, in upper New York Bay near Manhattan, is best known for the immigrant station located there between 1892 and 1954. An estimated 12 million immigrants passed through the station. In 1965, the island was designated as part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. In 1990, after six years of renovation, the former immigration station, shown here, was made into a museum. An estimated 12 million immigrants entered the United States through Ellis Island in Upper New York Bay, drawn by tales of fortune and opportunity. A complex on the island served as a district headquarters for U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services until 1954, when immigration waned and activities transferred to Manhattan. Ellis Island reopened in 1990 as a museum documenting four centuries of immigration to the United States. ( from ancestry.com)

8. Ellis Island.. Closed in 1954, reopened in 1990 as a museum…

9. A new phenomenon – the Middle Class! Industry increased and cities grew. Because of lack of transportation, people are forced to live close to their places of work. They needed something to do with their spare time. Libraries, restaurants, clubs, entertainment – not just for the RICH or POOR – there is a huge group of people who were in the middle, income-wise…

10. Life in the Cities Northern cities were crowded. People live in tenement buildings (basically apartments) that didn’t consider the issues of large groups of people…poor sanitation, disease that spread quickly, crime, limited police and fire protection. Advantage – social life was available … church, clubs, parks, libraries, etc.

11. But some still lived in rural settings… Social life in rural communities was tied mostly to big events – weddings, funerals, bar BQs, dances, church festivals… Small communities had “rocking chair” life – sitting in front of the General Store, playing checkers or having a glass of tea. Homes had large front porches – walkers stopped to talk.

12. Society looks to reform itself… What to do with mentally ill – at this time, they were put in prisons with criminals. Dorothea Dix founded over 100 state hospitals to help treat mental illness. What about problem kids? Prison? Of course not – reform schools where vocational training and education provided help… Criminals – prisons not just warehouses for bodies – focus on rehabilitation so they can return to society. Temperance – too much drinking! Social problems – violence, poverty, criminal acts. Tried prohibition (didn’t work) for social pressure to limit drinking…

13. One of the biggest reforms – Education! Public education existed but it wasn’t equal! Only basics – read, write, math…Most teachers were just older students! Horace Mann promoted the Common-School Movement – all children educated in common place, regardless of class or background. • Regular school year and first teacher training school • AA and disabled students allowed to attend separate school Oberlin College (1st to allow AA), then Harvard Deaf students – Gallaudet College

14. And don’t forget the ladies! Old beliefs and traditions die hard… Women’s issues of the time – revolved around the woman’s role in the family – many not formally educated, belief that they were “weaker” – physically and mentally. Also, property rules still existed saying women couldn’t own property! Seneca Falls Convention – time for a change. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, LucretiaMott, and others…organize convention in NY to promote women’s rights. Declaration of Sentiments – the woman’s D of I! Started a trend…didn’t solve everything… Susan B. Anthony called for “equal pay for equal work” – it was a start…

15. Frederick Douglass – A hero speaking out against slavery! Began life in slavery – taught himself to read and write (then taught others – which got him in trouble!) Sold off because he was “unruly”; sold again, then escaped. Caught and returned to original owner – owner promised to free him at 25. He didn’t – So, Douglass runs away to NYC. He began to make speeches about the evils of slavery – the American Anti-Slavery Society. He wrote his autobiography in 1845 and he was the publisher of an abolitionist newspaper, the North Star. Eventually, served as an assistant to Lincoln and is widely known as one of the leaders speaking out against slavery.

16. Review for test – chapter 13 Test strongly tied to notes – study them… Industrial Revolution: Why industrialize? Effects on families – Lowell Girls/RI System. How does industrial growth lead to growth of cities? What were cities like? What is a labor union? Were they necessary? Why? What is protectionism? Mass production and interchangeable parts Transportation Revolution: speed and convenience How did it cause change? What innovation spurs RR growth? Communication Revolution: exchange of information Morse Code, transportation speeds up mail delivery Agricultural Revolution: Manual work easier John Deere (tractors), McCormick (reaper), Eli Whitney (cotton gin)

17. Chapter 14 and 15 Chapter 14 focus questions… Why does cotton replace tobacco as #1 cash crop for South? How is society divided in the South? Who owns slaves? Why? Why is cotton “King?” Slaves were property – what are slave codes? Who is Nat Turner? Chapter 15 focus questions… America’s Spiritual Awakening – know the people and what they did…Second Great Awakening – spiritually (religion) and socially (art, lit) Immigrants and Cities-- Nativists, Know-Nothing Party, Middle Class Reform Movements – Mentally ill, prison reform, reform schools; temperance; education reform (Common School Movement – Mann); AA and disabled… Women’s Rights – Seneca Falls Convention. “equal pay for equal work”