DBQ Essay

Reform movements developed during the 19th century and early 20th century to address specific problems. These included the Woman’s rights movement, the temperance movement, and the Movement to end child labor. These movements met with varying degrees of success. Using information from the documents and my knowledge of United States history I will write an essay in which I will discuss two reform movements mentioned in the historical context. For each I will describe the problem that led to the development of the movement and the extent to which the movement was successful in achieving its goals. As the Civil War approached, economic change and urbanization were accompanied by increasing poverty, ordinances were relaxed and alcohol problems increased dramatically. Alcohol was blamed for many of society’s Problems. According to document 4a and 4b materials for saloon buildings were taken entirely from lives ruined by alcohol. Alcohol ruined people’s fortunes and increased the number of cases of insanity. Also stated in document 5 is the use of alcohol is the greatest crisis in our country’s history. Alcohol was received as a benefit to the race but no longer is it looked upon as a food but as a poison. The American Temperance Society was formed in 1826 and benefited from a renewed interest in religion and morality. Within 12 years it claimed more than 8,000 local groups and over 1,500,000 members. By 1839, 18 temperance journals were being published. In Reality national prohibition sharply reduced the consumption of alcohol in the United States. It neither eliminated drinking nor produced a sense that such a goal was within reach. (Document 6b) The reform movement met with resistance by brewers and distillers. The future looked bright for the young movement, which advocated temperance or levelness rather than abstinence. But many of the leaders overestimated their strength. As the US industrialized, factory owners hired young workers for a variety of tasks. Especially in textile mills, children were often hired together with their parents. Many families in mill towns depended on the children's labor to make enough money for necessities. The machines built in the north were built low for the hands of little children. Little girls and