Life in 1850s – 1900s

During the 19th Century, there were movements in America that impacted all sections of the nation. Some of these movements would lead to even greater tensions between the North and the South.

Life in 1850s – 1900s

Take notes on the main idea, not all of the facts.

Go through your notes and highlight the different movements that we will be studying.

Life in 1850s – 1900s

Immigration

1840 and 1860 - 4 million Europeans immigrated to America 3 million came from Ireland and Germany.

1845 - the Potato Famine -potato blight, a disease that causes rot in potatoes, left may families in Ireland with little food. 1.5 million Irish died

In 1848, Germans staged a revolution against their government. Many fled the country to escape persecution. German immigrants did a little better assimilating to American culture because they had money, they were farmers and moved inland, and they were Protestants.

Irish Potato Famine

When Irish Immigrants moved to America, many were enrolled in the army immediately. Listen to the words in

“Paddy’s Lament.”

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Anti Immigration Movements• Americans were threatened by immigrants. • They feared losing jobs to them and they were threatened by the new immigrants’ cultures and religions. • Americans did not trust

Catholic immigrants. • Those Americans and others who opposed immigration were called nativists.

Anti Immigration Movements

The Know Nothing Party – 1849 They were English Protestants who tried to keep immigrants from becoming citizens or holding office. They thought the Pope was guiding the Catholics to ruin democracy. They were a secret, anti immigrant faction who, when asked questions, would reply, “I know nothing.”

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Growth of Cities

1. The Industrial Revolution led to new jobs in the cities. The rise of industry and the growth of cities changed American life.

2. Those who owned their own businesses benefited most The families of these merchants made up the growing middle class. They built large homes that demonstrated their wealth.

3. In the growing cities, people found libraries, clubs, concert halls, theaters, lectures, bowling, and card hall.

Growth of Cities

City residents had to live near their workplaces. Many city dwellers particularly immigrants, could only afford to live in tenements – poorly designed apartment buildings that housed large numbers of people. These structures were dirty, overcrowded, and unsafe.

Growth of Cities

Public services were also poor. Most cities didn’t have clean water, public health regulations, nor healthy ways to dispose of garbage. The result was disease.

There was also a lot of criminal activity and fires.

City Life in New York in late 19th Century

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Second Great Awakening

During the 1800s, some Americans took part in a Christian renewal movement called the Second Great Awakening. Charles Grandison Finney was the most important leaders of the 2nd Great Awakening. He challenged traditional Protestant beliefs by preaching:• People are responsible for their own

salvation, it wasn’t predetermined• Sin was avoidable

As a result of the Second Great Awakening, church membership across the country grew a great deal.

Second Great Awakening• What it was

New Churches• Methodists• Charles G. Finney’s Revivals• Unitarians• Mormons• Shakers

Impact of the 2nd Great Awakening

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Temperance Movement

Renewed religious faith led to other social reforms. Many social reformers worked to prevent alcohol abuse. In the 1830s, Americans, on average, consumed seven gallons of alcohol per year. Today, Americans on average consume 2.5 gallons a year.

Temperance Movement

Americans worried that alcohol caused problems like family violence, poverty and criminal behavior. They started the temperance movement, a reform effort urging people to stop drinking hard liquor. Reformers wanted people to limit themselves to beer or wine in small amounts.

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Educational Reforms

What was school like?• Most only went until 8th grade• Kids came and went as they

were needed in the fields• 1 room schoolhouses with kids of all ages• Rich families went to private

schools• Girls could go to school but it was considered unnecessary

Here’s an example of a education in the 19th Century.Little House on the Prairie

Educational Reforms

How did it change?Horace Mann led the common school movement. He wanted all kids taught in a common place regardless of their background. He put money into education and:• raised teacher pay • lengthened the school year• Started teacher training program

Catherine Beecher- all-female academyMary Lyon - Mt. Holyoke, first female college Samuel Gridley Howe- Perkins School for BlindThomas Gallaudet – Free school for deaf

Educational Reforms

Perkins School for BlindThis is where famous teacher for the blind Anne Sullivan was educated. Partially blind herself, Anne was asked to teach deaf, blind & mute 6-year old child Helen Keller. After a rocky start, Anne and Helen Keller became lifelong friends. Keller spend her life writing and helping the blind and deaf.

Anne Sullivan 1866 – 1936Helen Keller 1880 - 1968

Helen Keller with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, 1955

Helen Keller with Alexander

Graham Bell

Helen Keller with President Kennedy, 1960

Here is rare 1930 footage of Anne Sullivan explaining how she taught Helen Keller.

“The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but no vision.”

–Helen Keller

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African American Advancements

Free African Americans• Not all African Americans were slaves.• Lived in segregated communities• Richard Allen – former slave, started African Methodist

Episcopal Church that taught racial equality and education for blacks.• Alexander Crummel – created black schools in

Philadelphia and educated hundreds of children (Philly was center of Quakers who believed strongly in equality.)

African American Advancements

Free African Americans• By 1855, Boston outlaws segregation!!• 1835 – Oberlin College in Ohio is the first to admit Afican

Americans, followed by Harvard.• 1842 – Institute for Colored Youth (college) opened in

Philadelphia• 1849 – Avery College, a black college, opens in

Pennsylvania.

Oberlin College, Women Graduates 1855

African American Advancements

South• No opportunities in the South• Laws in the South barred most slaves from

getting education• Some slaves learned to read and write on

their own in secret• Slaveholders feared that education might

lead to the spirit of freedom and revolt.

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Turn back to the page in your notes about Civil War Essential Questions Essays.

Based on what we just learned, so you have new information to answer the question, How do people protest?

The End