Social Reform Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 633 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 1

Page 1 of 2

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.

Stuck Writing Your "Social Reform" Term Paper?

View All Our Example Social Reform Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written



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….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


Related Essays

Byzantium and the Roman Empire

the currency and the rise of inflation. He also undertook social reform by making compulsory services part of the social system. To unify the empire along religious grounds, he attempted to force Christians to embrace the Roman cult. Constantine also made some reforms to try to stabilize the empire. He reversed the policy of Diocletian regarding the Christians with the Edict of Milan, which allowed Christians to worship publicly. He also reversed Diocletian's policy on multiple leaders, doing away with the other Roman rulers). He also moved the capital of Rome to Constantinople and addressed the issue of the currency,… Continue Reading...

The American Prohibition Era

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was one of the first organizations dedicated to social reform that used applied Christianity to set standards from which the country would eventually experience. Activities like woman's suffrage and missionary work marked the first part of the temperance organization with Prohibition signaling the major shift. Interest in Prohibition was then turned after 1900 into the Anti-Saloon League and that is when legislation began to shift in favor of a federal ban on alcohol sales and consumption. As previously stated, those in support of the move did so because they believed alcohol contributed to the larger social problems of… Continue Reading...

sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Social Reform" (2009, December 15) Retrieved May 20, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/social-reform-16221

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Social Reform" 15 December 2009. Web.20 May. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/social-reform-16221>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Social Reform", 15 December 2009, Accessed.20 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/social-reform-16221
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example