1830 ’S AMERICA

Antebellum Revivalism & Reform

The Second Great Awakening

“Spiritual Reform From Within”

[Religious Revivalism]Social Reforms & Redefining the Ideal of

EqualityTemperanc

eAsylum &

Penal Reform

Education

Women’s Rights

Abolitionism

ANTEBELLUM AMERICA

The Pursuit of Perfection

Separate Spheres Concept

Cult of Domesticity A woman’s sphere was in the home

It was a refuge from the cruel outside world Her role was to “civilize” her husband and family A Massachusetts minister wrote in the 1830’s:

“The power of woman is her dependence. A woman who gives up that dependence on man to become a reformer yields the power God has given her for her protection, and her character becomes unnatural!”

Separate Spheres Concept

Early 19th Century Women: Unable to vote. Legal status of a minor. If single could own her

own property. If married no control

over her property or her children.

Could not initiate divorce.

Couldn’t make wills, sign a contract, or bring suit in court without her husband’s permission.

Separate Spheres Concept

What it would be like if ladies had their own way

Separate Spheres Concept

Cult of Domesticity was equal to slaveryThe Second Great Awakening inspired

women to improve society

Angelina Grimké Sarah Grimké Lucy Stone

Women’s Rights

1840 World Anti-Slavery Convention Women are barred

1848 the Seneca Falls Declaration 1850 National Women’s Rights Convention

Lucretia Mott Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Make a connection…

Why do you think women were so outspoken on the issue of abolition?