Era of Reform

The reform era of the nineteenth century is synonymous with reform movements fighting for the rights of women, workers, government reform, temperance, civil rights and radical trade unionism. The era pulled together various reform movements to fight for the different causes through pulled unionism. Eric Foner’s book, The Voices of Freedom, highlight the various documents and people who fought for various rights in the reform era. The author has analyzed how people affected the course of the movements during the reform while also championing the rights of the marginalized groups in the society. The essay evaluates the documents and sources that helped spark the reform movements during the reform era.
Angelina Grimke’s letters on the rights of women to assume political positions sparked gender and political debate on the issue. The women rights activists opined that women shared similar rights as men and that right ought not to be based on gender. Angelina opined that it was morally incorrect to sideline women due to their gender, while in most cases; women undertook their duties and responsibilities morally within the society. The same argument was fronted during the reform era, with proponents arguing that by granting similar rights to slaves, women ought to enjoy similar rights in the society. Grimke’s letters elicited reactions and enthusiasm for supporters that eventually led to women being allowed to assume political leadership in the society (Angelina Grimke’s letters 77).

Robert Owen published documents relating to the debates on the new system. Scholars were unequivocally divided on the best system to use to ensure a fair division of resources and reduction of the gap between the rich and the poor. Intensive competition amongst Americans during the revolution period forced American societies to institute their systems such as the Indian Harmony community, bought by Robert that supported socialism in the society. Owen opined that through cooperatives wealth ought to be evenly distributed, while workers were able to work without fear of losing their job. The competition of ideologies energized the movements of equality and harmony in the society to continue with their course and eventually indirectly led to the creation of the unions (The first discourse on a new system of society 72).
The document on the appeal of forty thousand citizens elaborates the limitation of black rights to vote Pennsylvania. Previously, leaders had convened a meeting in Pennsylvania that revoked the blacks’ rights to vote. Perceptively, states joining the union were forced to deny blacks their right to vote or implemented strong rules to lock out most of the blacks from voting. However, civil rights movements and black rights movements argued that the blacks fought during the wars together with the whites and the victory guaranteed the blacks their rights to vote. Moreover, blacks and whites shared similar religious views and had accumulated wealth averagely similar to their counterparts. The revolution eventually emerged victorious with blacks being allowed to vote (Appeal of forty thousand citizens 64).
Mercy Otis’ enchantment on religion and virtues led to the creation of Bill of rights. Otis was worried that the changes sweeping across Europe would have an effect on the people. Infidelity and declining values among communities in Europe would affect the USA, since more Europeans were migrating to the USA. Similarly, migrants had come with their religious beliefs, and it was believed that none would abscond their religion (Foner 52). The author’s works enthused the American residents to entrench virtues of purity to their course and eventually implemented the Bill of rights to affirm their will to safeguard their origins (Religion and virtue 52).
Judith Murray’s discussions of equality among genders were argued and supported by civil rights during the reform era. The author had previously been refused entry into colleges because of the author’s sex. The author’s essay on the equality of sexes elaborated men and women shared similar talents and ought to have similar rights. The rights movement supported the issue and endorsing bills supporting women rights. Today, women enjoy such rights while an empowerment imitative runs worldwide to support such causes. Conclusive, the Voice of Freedom amalgamates the reforms and rights groups that conversed during the reform era, leading to reform changes in the society (Equality of the sexes 45).
Works Cited
Foner, Eric. “Voices of Freedom: A Documentary History, vol. 2.” NY: WW Norton (2005). Print.