SAQs for APUSH Topic 4.11 — An Age of Reform

Three short answer questions designed to help students review for the annual exam and that relate to a time period between 1830–1850 in which tens of thousands of Americans joined an array of movements dedicated to spiritual and secular uplift.

1. Between 1800–1844, Americans formed new voluntary organizations that aimed to change individual behaviors and improve society through temperance and other reform efforts. What is temperance? Middle-class women were most active in the temperance movement. Give one reason why middle-class women would call for temperance. What was one short-term and one long-term impact of the antebellum temperance reform movement?
2. Between 1800–1844, the rise of democratic and individualistic beliefs, a response to rationalism, and changes to society caused by the market revolution, along with greater social and geographical mobility, contributed moral and social reforms and inspired utopian and other religious movements.What’s the difference between a moral reform and a social reform. Name and briefly describe one attempt at moral reform that took place between 1800–1848. Name and briefly describe one attempt at social reform that took place between 1800–1848. Name and briefly describe one utopian antebellum reform movement. The name Dorthea Dix is often mentioned by historians when discussing the “antebellum reform movement related to institutions for the mentally ill. What reform did Dorthea Diz seek to bring about in this regard? The name Horace Mann is often mentioned by historians when discussing the “antebellum reform movements related to education. What reform did Horace Mann seek to bring about. Another major attempt at reform that took place between 1800–1849 was an attempt to reform the “penal system.” What’s the “penal system” and what did the antebellum reform movement accomplish in this regard. Name and briefly describe one utopian antebellum reform movement.
3. Between 1800–1844, the rise of democratic and individualistic beliefs, a response to rationalism, and changes to society caused by the market revolution, along with greater social and geographical mobility, contributed to a Second Great Awakening that inspired various religious movements. The Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-Day Saints (aka Mormons), was one religious movement that was inspired by the Great Awakening. Click here for five questions related to the Great Awakening.