Reform Movements – Temperance, Public Education, Asylums and Feminism

Compare and contrast four reform movements of the era: temperance, public education, asylums, and feminism. Be sure to note key details in each concerning the origins, important leaders, objectives, and accomplishments.

Introduction

The reform movements had one similarity in common that was to provide better conditions for those who were from poor backgrounds like in education or those who were disadvantaged like the insane, women and alcoholics (Marchand, 2007).

There was a lot of discrimination in the education sector where the poor were significantly disadvantaged. The students mostly dropped out since they could not afford education and only the wealthy could afford better schooling for their children. It led to better-trained teachers and increased salaries, which ensured that students were well taught. The feminist movement dealt with the women who had been oppressed for a long time and who were not allowed to take part in professions held by men. The reform movement in education focused on providing education to those who were disadvantaged whilst in the feminist society on women who had been oppressed for a long time in that they were not given equal opportunities as men especially at the workplace. Horace Mann initiated reform in education by vouching for the introduction of public schools.

The temperance movement focused on the abolition of alcohol due to its negative impact on the society (Blocker et al., 2015). Justin the feminist movement the women played a great role in the temperance movement since most of the men were alcoholics. The temperance movement encouraged abstinence and or moderation among those affected by alcoholism. Farmers to ban distilling of whiskey formed some of the associations. In England John, Edgar a minister led the temperance movement to do away with spirits.

The Asylum movement sought to fight for the rights of the insane and sick who were kept in prisons and uncomely places and were greatly mistreated. Dorothea Dix led the movement. His efforts resulted in the establishment of hospitals that helped provide better conditions for the insane. All movements provided better conditions and facilities for the affected sectors, which were public schools for the disadvantaged, hospitals for the insane, abstinence and moderation for alcoholics and introduction of various laws and regulations that would provide women with more freedom.

 

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