Reform movements between 1820 to 1840 were mostly for change, but some were attempts at reform movements to stop the changes that were being asked for by the people. These included education for all, freedom being giving to slave’s immediately and utopian societies. Others came in the form of utopian societies, equality for and by women and former slaves.
Many movements during this time were the establishment of Utopian communities. Utopian communities wanted to form a world that a perfect society could be formed from. Most of the utopian communities were formed to seek a simpler life and focus on emotions and feelings. “These communities differed greatly in structure and motivation” ( Foner, 412). The Shakers of Ohio believed in separation of the sexes and The Owenties removed children from the homes of their parents at a very young age to educate them and “subordinate individual ambition to the common good.” (Foner, 416) Both of these Utopian communities wanted to have easier lives but they had completely different thoughts of what the life would curtail. Utopian communities generally failed within a few years due to lack of funding and differing of opinion on the direction of the community. 
One of the largest movements of this time was the abolitionist movement. Theodore D. Weld and William Lloyd Garrison were all proponents of freeing slaves from the bonds that held them. Theodore Weld was a leader in the early part to abolish slavery and until the passing of the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution to abolish slavery in 1865. He was a vocal leader until 1837 he lost his voice due to physical health issues. He did not quit and at this point he went to New York to edit books and pamphlets on slavery. William Lloyd Garrison led the abolitionism parade with the written word. He was trained as a printer and established the Liberator newspaper in Boston. William Lloyd Garrison sums up the abolition movement with the saying, “I am in earnest - I will not equivocate - I will not excuse - I will not retreat a single inch - and I will be heard!” William Lloyd Garrison also wanted the slave to be released immediately with compensation to their former masters These two individuals led the movement to greater heights and as is the case with William Lloyd Garrison he did not let losing his voice stop him from pushing forward with the abolitionists movement in the United States. The perseverance of these men among countless other helped to achieved the goal to end slavery on January 31st 1865, with the passing of the 13th amendment to the Constitution.  |
| Horace Mann |
Horace Mann was the leader of a reform for education. Horace Mann believed that education should be free for all children. He also helped to establish taxes to support schools, longer school years and teacher training. According to Foner Horace Mann “hoped that universal public education could restore equality .” (Foner 420) Free public education was shared some of its ideals with labor movement. Education was favored by “factory owners and middle class reformers.” (Foner 420) Horace Mann and his idea of universal education were well accepted in the North but in the South it was different. Horace Mann did have opposition. Some of his opposition was parents and also the South. The South thought that an educated slave was dangerous and they did not want to pay for education for anyone.
These three types of reform were all very important in the history of the United States. They all were about different issues of the time. Utopian societies, freeing of slaves and free public education were all forms of reform movements during 1820-1840. All of these movements were peaceful society changes. Utopian societies and free public education are still issues discussed today. They appear to be different but they hold the common key, people wanted change and the winds brought this.
Works Cited:
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty! An American History. 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2009.
Zinn, Howard. A People's History of the United States. Vol. 1. New York: The New Press, 2003.
Garrison, William L. "William Lloyd Garrison Quotes." Book Rags Media Network. Accessed March 23, 2011. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/william_lloyd_garrison.html.
Mayer, Henry. All on Fire: William Lloyd Garrison and the Abolition of Slavery. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1998.
Hubbell, George A. Life of Horace Mann, Educator, Patriot and Reformer Philadelphia, 1910
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