In what ways were the movements of American religion, reform, and culture an outgrowth of the American Revolution and American Independence, and in what ways did they reflect qualities of American life reaching back to the Puritans?                          

America’s movements of religion, reform, and culture were outgrowths of the American Revolution and American Independence. Their characteristics reflected the qualities of American life dating back to the inception of the colonies by the Puritans. During this time, religion was being revived and spread throughout the nation. Having been softened and more accessible to the masses by reforms from the French Revolution among other factors, it was easier for the people to locate their own belief through the creation of different institutions of faith. The idea of deism, which stated churches were institutions set out to terrify and monopolize were recognized by many, including some of the founding fathers. Increase in this liberal revival of religion inspired a significant reaction among the masses. Known as the Second Great Awakening, huge camp meetings were created to spread the gospel among the people. In a more show type and less strict, more laxed perspective toward religion, these camp meetings gave the people a new reason to believe. Great diversity and the ability to adhere to new bounds designed to reach the people at their own level were inspired by behavior dating back to the Puritans, as they utilized their history to awaken the nation.

            Another vital aspect of the outgrowth of the revolution and independence was the reform movement. There were several important reforms throughout the country. Educationally, the illiterates of America were being given the opportunity to attend free schools. The creation of dictionaries and higher levels of education for both men and women to more and more people aided in making society more educated and useful to the nation. Also, led by Dorothea Dix, the mentally ill were given more ample treatment for illnesses rather than being chastised by their peers for deficiencies they had no control over. All of these reforms were crucial to the new understanding of the nation, but the enhanced placement of women in society was the most telling and revealing of the nation growing into something special. Spurred by the new stature of America in the eyes of the world and the outpouring of people participating in the country allowed this mass exodus occur throughout the nation. Reforming the entire nation without sacrificing or overstepping anyone was a lesson learned back in the early days of the nation.

            The enhancement of culture, namely the role of women, was the result of a new era of literature. Prior to this time period, America was not a source of intellectual readings and creations like those found in the traditional powers of Europe. New art and writings of the Transcendentalists, both men and women, gave the nation a foundation for which to build on. The combination of the religious revival, reformation, and the new stature of America’s culture gave society a new sense of movement throughout the nation. Learning throughout the history of the country, even from the days of the Puritans, allowed the country to locate its destiny and lay the foundation for the great nation it was to become.

The movements of American religion, reform, and culture were all an outgrowth of the American Revolution.  They each had characteristics that were present during this hard time.  These three movements also reflect qualities of American life from 1800’s back to the time of the puritans.  The religious and cultural movements were started partly because of the immigration of the Irish and Germans.  The reforms occurred because of America’s desire to make their country better.

            When the Irish and Germans immigrated to the United States, they brought along with them their religion from their homeland.  The Irish and many of the Germans were Roman Catholic.  This religion was considered to be foreign to the “native” Americans, or Americans who were born in the United States.  The Roman Catholics in the 1840’s constructed their own Catholic educational system in order to save their children from the Protestant public schools.  This act showed the strength of this religion, and by 1840, the Roman Catholic Religion was ranked fifth in the United States.  By 1850, the Catholics were in first place.  The “native” Americans were extremely unhappy with this, and they began to attack the Catholic institutions.  The religious movements of the Americans attempting to hold back the Catholic religion were an outgrowth of the American Revolution.  The Americans were trying to keep Europeans and their culture out of America.  However, the Americans were persecuting the immigrants because of their religion, which was similar to what happened to the puritans in England before America.

            The immigrants coming to America brought about the cultural movements of the United States.  With the immigrants came their own distinct cultures.  Factors of these cultures were incorporated into American lifestyle.  Parts of other cultures have always been mixed together, creating an original American culture.  The improvements in industry brought more jobs and different ways of life for people.  Men, women, and children all worked in factories, causing many problems.  Children became sick both physically and mentally from working long hours.  Men and women also became sick from the horrible conditions in which they worked.  This cultural movement is both an outgrowth of the American Revolution and major quality of Americans.  It is that of working hard to be able to support one’s self and their family.     

            With the introduction of industry brought the desire for reforms.  The people who worked in the factories desperately wanted their working conditions to improve.  In the 1820’s and the 1830’s, a man who was a laborer was granted the right to vote.  This allowed them to improve their working conditions through voting. Another major reform movement in the United States was the improvement of transportation throughout the country.  Better roads were built, such as the Lancaster Turnpike.  This hard surfaced highway was built in the 1790’s.  In 1807, the first steamboat went up the Hudson River from New York to Albany.  These steamboats became extremely popular, and useful, since they were able to go against the currents.  Canals and Railroads were also built throughout America to improve transportation.  The development of better transportation reflects the American quality of wanting to do something in a better manner.  It also shows the American’s desire to move around the country.  

            The reform, culture, and religious movements all were in someway connected with the fight for American Independence.  All three also showed different qualities of Americans.  For example, the Americans desire to discover new ways to improve their lives.  Each one of the three played an important role in creating America’s distinct culture, religions, and government.