Social reform movements and historical impact

Economic Changes in the North and Social Reform Movements

The years between 1820 and 1860, also known as the pre-Civil War years or the antebellum years, were the most chaotic in American History (Dudley 2003). During this time, significant changes took place in the United States. The nation saw a transformation from a largely undeveloped nation of farmers and frontiersmen into an urbanized and economic powerhouse. This essay will explore how these economic changes in the North are linked to the social reform movements of the time.

The North was completely transformed by the Market Revolution, that is, a shift from an agricultural-based economy to one based on wages and the exchange of goods and services (Dudley 2003). A contributing factor was a manufacturing boom in the North which was created by the invention of the cotton gin. Infrastructure began to improve along with modes of transportation, such as the steamboat and railroad, allowing goods and crops to flow easily and at a reasonable expense between the agricultural West and the manufacturing North.

Urbanization began to drastically increase in the North. Around 1820, millions of people started moving to the cities, along with several other million Irish and German immigrants (Dudley 2003). These Northern cities became flooded with people looking for jobs in the new industrialized economy. Thus, the social fabric was transformed as a result of this migration and the introduction of the wage labour system, leading to America's first middle class.

This growing middle class, comprised mostly of white-collar workers and skilled labourers, led to the development of various social reform movements (Dudley 2003). These movements were focused on reducing the consumption of alcohol, eliminating prostitution, improving prisons and mental health institutions, improving education, gaining rights for women, and banning slavery.

Between 1820 and 1860, Northerners became increasingly opposed to slavery (Dudley 2003). The abolitionist movement was created to address this growing concern and was aimed at eradicating slavery in the United States. However, despite the North being the main support for the abolitionist movement, not all Northerners were abolitionists. Many trade unions and wage workers feared that the abolition of slavery would mean more competition for jobs. Many others who were in favour of the movement did not want equality with black people, simply the eradication of slavery.

The temperance movement, which aimed to ban alcohol production and consumption, was another strong social reform movement which developed in 1826 (Dudley 2003). The belief behind temperance was that drinking ruined family life and lead to child and spousal abuse. Factory owners also felt that worker output was reduced and on-the-job accidents were increased due to alcoholism. In 1851, Maine passed a law prohibiting the sale and consumption of alcohol and many other Northern states to follow suit.

A final example is the movement for education reform (Dudley 2003). Prior to this time public school was seen as being only for the poor. Rich families were able to send their children to private schools and were not in support of paying higher taxes to educate the poor. However, industrialized cities began to realize that education was necessary to maintain a democracy. Thus, the push for public education became strong. Horace Mann was one of the major advocates for the movement, fighting for higher teacher qualifications, better pay, newer school buildings, and better curriculum.