Study GuideU.S. History I–American Society and Culture 1815–18601. Impulse for ReformDuring the first half of the 1800s, politicians largelyignored social problemslike alcoholism, slavery,education, and women’s rights. Reformers—both individuals and organizations—worked to addressthese issues.1.1The Temperance MovementBy the early 1800s, Americans were drinkingmore than five gallons of hard liquor per person peryear. High alcohol consumption caused:•Poverty, as workers spent wages on alcohol instead of food or rent•Workplace absenteeism•Abuse of wives and childrenKey developments:•1826:American Temperance Society formed to persuade people to abstain from alcohol.•The movement later pushed for laws to limit alcohol sales.•By the 1840s, national consumptiondropped by half.•Reformers continued advocating for total prohibition, leading to the18th Amendment in1919.1.2Improving Public EducationThe1830ssaw a growing demand for free public education:•Voting rights expanded, making an educated electorate more important.•Factory workers wanted better opportunities for their children.•Schools previously taught only the “three Rs” (reading, writing, arithmetic) inmixed-ageclassrooms.Preview Mode
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