Reform Movements

"American reform movements between 1820 and 1860 reflected both optimistic and pessimistic views of human nature and society." Assess the validity of this statement in reference to reform movements in one of the following areas:
Education
Temperance
Women's rights
Utopian experiments
Penal institutions

Pick one of the reform movements and answer the question on your blog. Only 3 students can pick each movement. You can call dibs on the movement you want in the comment section of this blog. You must also comment on three students blogs (two that have different movements than you and one that has the same movement as you).

Cotton, Slavery, and the Old South

Historical Background

Cotton played a key role in the creation of a southern way of life. You should understand the conflicting views of slavery being a somewhat benevolent, paternalistic institution versus an overly brutal, dehumanizing monster; how blacks survived, maintaining their dignity and some aspects of their African cultures; and how the institution of slavery continues to influence our attitudes towards race today.

Assignment

"Slavery was the dominating reality of all southern life." Assess the validity of this generalization for two of the following aspects of southern life from about 1840 to 1860: political, social, economic, and intellectual life.

You should answer this question on your own blog. You should also include a visual of some sort and comment on three of your classmates' blogs.

Common Man or King Andrew

Andrew Jackson has been heavily debated by historians. Was Jackson the hero of the Common Man or King Andrew?

Answer with your opinion on your own blog. Please include a picture in your blog. You also need to comment on three of your classmates blogs.

Sectionalism and Nationalism

How could both Sectionalism and Nationalism exist at the same time and at the same place?