From: Tiffani Joseph
Date: 3/29/00
Time: 11:28:19 PM
Remote Name: 152.163.206.203
The period between 1830 and 1860 was known as the Era of Reform. Christianity provoked many people to pursue the perfection of life by leading a life free of sins. In order for the individual to be perfect the state must be perfect, so Christians tried to demolish the state of these sins by establishing moral reform societies. These moral reform societies included a change in liquor consumption, slavery, war and society. Reformers believed that people who consumed alcohol were seen as a threat to public morality, which often lead to crime and social chaos. These reformers passed out pamphlets, held meetings, and sponsored contest towards the harm in consuming liquor. This campaign was very effective by having thousands of locations and over a million members, while the consumption of alcohol decreased in percentage. Antiwar groups also a moral reform society announced the need for world peace, they believed that war was unnecessary unless it is for defense and non-resistance groups believed in not fighting back at any means. Another reform group were the followers of the anti-slavery assembly. These societies were established to transport free blacks to Africa, but as time passed this system was not good enough. As a good deed for Christ reformers felt that emancipation should happen without emigration. This reform led to the civil war. The last major reform was the development or attempt to develop a utopian socialism. This was a society where people could work and live in an environment where everything is shared. This system failed as well as prohibition of liquor. All these reforms were formed to establish or improve an individual’s character for the better. A better character makes a better society. In some ways they increased the personal freedom for blacks and women. For white males, these reforms took away some of their privileges and freedoms.