Reform Movements in American History
6 total works
The abolitionist movement, which was a campaign to end the practice of slavery and the slave trade, began to take shape in the wake of the American Revolution. In the years leading up to the Civil War, the movement continued to gain strength, largely due to the determination of such leaders as William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and John Brown. ""The Abolitionist Movement"" is a thorough exploration of this seminal movement in American history. By offering readers numerous photographs, insightful text, sidebars, a chronology and timeline, and a helpful glossary, this book makes the people and events associated with abolitionism come alive in a potent yet accessible manner.
The women's rights movement grew out of the women's suffrage movement of the mid-1800s and also addressed other women's legal rights issues. The second wave of the movement, which promoted economic, political, and social equality, gained momentum in the 1960s and '70s, when such groups as the National Organization for Women fought for equal pay and laws banning employment discrimination. Clearly written, highly visual, and bolstered by sidebars, a chronology and timeline, and a thorough index, ""The Women's Rights Movement"" is an illuminating introduction to one of the most prominent reform movements of the last 40 years.
The labor movement espoused social equality and honest labor through the formation of labor unions. Although groups such as the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor, both of which represented skilled laborers, began to figure prominently in industry in the late 1800s, labor unions that represented unskilled workers did not gain influence until the early 1900s. By the 1930s, labor unions were becoming more accepted, thanks in part to the National Labor Relations Act, which gave workers the right to establish unions without interference from their employers. Crisply written and illustrated with compelling photographs and sidebars, ""The Labor Movement"" is a thorough look at the movement that has had a profound effect on how industry operates in the United States.
The family values movement is a conservative movement that strongly supports traditional social values. Since 1980, the Republican Party has used the issue of family values to attract voters, and such organizations as the Christian Coalition and the American Family Association have tied the movement to Christianity and thus believe that Christian values should play more important roles in everyday society. This new book offers students an objective look at this important movement, which has wielded great influence on the political landscape as well as attracted major controversy from its critics.
Introduced in the last decade of the 19th century as a direct response to the changes brought about by industrialization, the progressive movement helped reform the political process in the United States. Progressives believed that monopolies and political machines should be eliminated, people should be more involved in the political process, and the U.S. government should play a more prominent role in dealing with America's social ills, including poverty and child labor. This new book brings the incredible story of the progressive movement to life thanks to its striking blend of rich photographs, concise text, and helpful features such as sidebars, a chronology and timeline, a bibliography, and suggestions for further reading.