Reform

Name
Institution
Date
Reforms
The term reform refers to the changes made to an institution to improve it. Reforms are aimed at making amendments to what is considered wrong or unsatisfactory. They do not alter the essential elements of a system, but rather tend to improve the system by fine-tuning the wrongs in the latter. The changes may cut across all facets of society as sustainable development requires continuous improvement of various systems in society. Various reasons call for improvements in society. The decision for social reforms is thus a subject of many factors including poor conditions or too much complacency that require individuals to challenge the status quo. While reforms may face resistance in many cases, liberals tend to accept changes and implement them. Before initiating changes, however, the society should be prepared in advance to avoid resistance. Humans feel threatened by changes whether good or bad.
The theme of reforms plays a significant role in the unit as it highlights the changes that have occurred from the past to today. The unit offers an account of past events and how they influence the future. Since history weighs evidence from primary sources to answer the various questions posed by historians, it comes out as an ongoing conversation between the past and the present. Every generation wants to write its history and make a better story than the previous generations (Locke and Wright 7). To be better than the previous generation’s means that changes are inevitable, it as it this point that reforms take place.

Historical events shape the current events. After interpreting the different and relevant historical accounts, it becomes easy to make improvements in the various institutions in society. By learning ancient cultures, we can determine the practices that are out of place and do away with them or modify them for them to suit current conditions. Similarly, the law has undergone various reforms from the past (Locke and Wright 5. The law of the land has been amended over time as the need of society keeps changing. For instance, labor laws have grown to cater to the needs of women in the labor force. This is an excellent reform as women were highly discriminated against in their workplaces in the past eras. The reconstruction era is another example of reforms that took place in both physical assets as well as social institutions. It is the era after the civil war which saw the construction of roads and buildings that were destroyed after the war. This period experienced black freedom, as well as the emancipation of women such as reduced racial violence and discrimination against women.
Various examples from the chapters illustrate the theme of reforms. First, in chapter 4, ‘colonial society.’ The theme is depicted in the changes that occurred in the manufacturing, transportation, and finance sector. Due to the increase in transatlantic trade, the aids to business such as the availability of lines of credit increased. Similarly, means of transport, as well as the transport routes, improved. Manufacturing that was done mainly for domestic consumption improved to cater for commercial purposes. Reforms that were against slavery began to arise. The Quakers turned against slavery and pushed for its abolishment in the colonies (Locke and Wright 4). Though anti-slavery initiatives were faced by resistance, some areas like Philadelphia became free of slaves. Similarly, the blacks and women were included in the notion of equality, a reform that led to the freedom of women and African Americans.
Secondly, in chapter 5, ‘American Revolution,’ there are radical changes that lead to the replacement of the whole systems. Reforms are only aimed at improving the systems rather than doing away with it. The revolution was mainly to break out from the rule of the colonial master is Britain. As such, changes had to take place (Locke and Wright 5). The colonies came up with colonial assemblies that resembled the House of Commons back in Britain. They could thus tax residents and manage the revenues as well as royal pay officials. The political culture changed from that of the mother country, Britain. While land was a determinant to political participation in Britain, this took a different turn in the colonies since the land was in plenty. There were parliamentary reforms on the sugar Act that helped to curb smuggling of molasses. The Currency Act was also a parliamentary reform that was passed to prevent colonies from producing paper money. Finally, in chapter 6, ‘A new nation,’ the theme of reforms is reflected by the coming up of the new constitution (Locke and Wright 6). While the changes in articles of Confederation were ineffective, there was a need for a new Constitution that will address all the issues of the Americans and prevent the uprising going on in states.In conclusion, reforms are necessary for a better society. The society and its needs are ever-changing, and this makes it essential for reforms on policies and various institutions. Over the past, there have been reforms in multiple facets of society indicating that the world is a better place now than before due to the continuous improvement.
Work cited
Locke, Joseph, and Ben Wright. “The American Yawp.” (2015).