Reforms of the 19th Century
By Amber Cadle
Temperance
The temperance movement bans alcohol from being sold, bought, or transported and should be followed in order to prevent any harm to innocent people and the health of those consuming it. Drinking alcohol isn't healthy, causes you to perform unsafe activities (accidental or not for you and others), and wastes precious money that could have been used to save the lives of our people!
Abolitionist Movement
Abolitionism is a movement that took place in the 1820's to end slavery. In Western Europe and the Americas, abolitionism was a historical movement to end the African and Indian slave trade and set slaves free.
Women's Rights Movement
This movement took place between 1848-1920. This movement was led by several important women who were abolitionists. including more than 300 other women who all competed in a Women's Right Convention in Seneca Falls, NY. Women wanted to be treated equally. They wanted better jobs, and to be able to vote. They got their rights over 70 years later.
Mental Health/ Prison Reform
Dorothea Dix was basically the most important leader of this movement. She wanted to create separate facilities for both the Mental Health and Prison reforms. People should join this movement because their loved ones might have been in a mental institution or in prison and no one wants what's best for you more than a loved one. Prisons back then were unregulated and unhygienic, with violent criminals housed side by side with the mentally ill. Inmates were often subject to the whims and brutalities of their jailers. After visiting every public and private facility Dix then presented her findings to the legislature of Massachusetts demanding that officials take action toward reform. Her reports were really dramatic. She talked about how prisoners were starved, chained, physically and sexually abused by their keepers, and left naked and without heat or sanitation. People were very shocked. Funds were set aside, and over 100 new facilities were established in the U.S. A famous quote of hers was "In a world where there is so much to be done, I felt strongly impressed that there must be something for me to do."
Dorothea Dix
The Movement leader.
Mental Hospital.
Wrapping sick patients in wet sheets.
Prison Life
inmates sitting around outside of their cells wearing white hospital gowns. It seems the prisoners weren't a harm to themselves or each other. The abuse takes place when a guard gets involved.