Name: _________________________________________________________ Class: ___________________________

DOCUMENT-BASED QUESTION (DBQ): Reform Movements

This question is based on the accompanying document (1-7). The question is designed to test your ability to

work with historical documents. Some of the documents have been edited for the purposes of the question.

As you analyze the documents, take into account the source of each document and any point of view that

may be presented in the document.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT:

TASK:

DBQ Guidelines:

□ UNDERSTAND the question

□ BRAINSTORM your ideas

□ ANALYZE the documents

□ ORGANIZE your ideas and information

□ WRITE your organized essay

□ EDIT your essay- grammar! focus! organization!

In the mid 1800s, many Americans became concerned about growing societal issues and the impact these issues had on the United States. To address these concerns, individuals, groups and organizations used a variety of strategies to promote social and political reform.

Using the information from the documents and your knowledge of social studies, answer the questions that follow each document in Part A. Your answers to the questions will help you write the Part B essay in which you will be asked to…

Discuss at least two social or political problems reformers were concerned about in American society during the mid 1800s.

Explain at least two methods or strategies reformers used to address these problems.

Brainstorm [ ]

Document #1

the Declaration of Sentiments 1848

1. According to the document, name two rights that were denied to women. [2] ____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

2. Which important document in American history was used as a model for The Declaration of

Sentiments? [1] ____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

3. How would a statement like this help women to obtain their rights? [1]

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice.

Having deprived her of this first right of a citizen, the elective franchise [the right to vote], thereby leaving her without representation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed her on all sides.

He has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, civilly dead.

He has taken from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns.

He has so framed the laws of divorce, as to what shall be the proper causes, and in case of separation,  to  whom  the  guardianship  of  the  children  shall  be  given…  and  giving  all  power  into  his hands.

He has monopolized nearly all the profitable employments,

He has denied her the facilities for obtaining a thorough education, all colleges being closed against her.

(“He”  in  each  sentence  above  refers  to  men,  in  general).

Excerpt from The Declaration of Sentiments – Seneca Falls Convention, 1848

Document #2

Illustrations of Slave Lives mid 1800s

4. Describe working conditions for slaves in the mid-1800s. [1]

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

5. Identify one cause for plantation owners to punish slaves. [1]

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

working in cotton fields on a southern plantation being whipped for punishment

Document #3

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass 1845

6. Describe  how  Douglass’  master  would  treat  his  slaves.   [1] ____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

7. What  made  Douglass’  autobiography  so  influential  in  the  abolitionist  movement?  [1]

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

[My master] would at times seem to take great pleasure in whipping a slave. I have often been awakened at the dawn of day by the most heart-rending shrieks of an own aunt of mine, whom he used to tie up to a joist, and whip upon her naked back till she was literally covered with blood. No words, no tears, no prayers, from his gory victim, seemed  to  move  his  iron  heart  from  its  bloody  purpose.  …  It  was  the  first  of  a  long  series of such outrages, of which I was doomed to be a witness and a participant. It struck me with awful force. It was the blood-stained gate, the entrance to the hell of slavery, through which I was about to pass. It was a most terrible spectacle. I wish I could commit to paper the feelings with which I beheld [saw] it.

Excerpt from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave- 1845

Document #4

Illustrations of the Temperance Movement mid 1800s

8. Identify two problems identified in the illustrations. [2] ____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

9. Why would reformers in the 1800s believe that the use of alcohol should be limited or banned [1]

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

The  roots  of  the  tree  say  “beer,  whiskey,  brandy,  ale,  gin,”  etc. The branches  say  things  like  “immorality,  diseases,  ignorance,  profanity,  violence,”  etc.  The  marchers are carrying a banner that says  “Hurray  for  the  Maine  Temperance  Laws!”  which  were  laws  that  limited  or  banned alcohol in many states in the mid 1800s.

Illustration of a scene from the play-The Drunkard, a play written in 1844. This scene is set in a saloon and is illustrating conflict that has emerged as a result of alcohol.

Document #5

“Is  it  a  Crime  for  a  Citizen  of  the  United  States  to  Vote?”- a speech by Susan B. Anthony

10. What argument does Susan B. Anthony use for women having suffrage in this speech? [1] ____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

11. What was a method women used to obtain their rights in the mid 1800s? [1]

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

[Because the Constitution and most laws refer only to men], “is that proof that only men were meant to be included in their provisions? If you insist on this version of the letter of the law, we shall insist that you be consistent, and accept the other [side]of the dilemma, which would compel you to exempt women from taxation for the support of the government, and from penalties for the violation of laws.”We represent fifteen million people—one-half the entire population of the country—the  Constitution  classes  us  as  “free  people,”  yet  we are governed without our consent [/right to vote], compelled to pay taxes without appeal, and punished for violations of law without choice of judge or juror.

Excerpt from a speech by Susan B. Anthony given while she awaited trial for attempting to vote in federal elections in 1872.

Document #6

Underground Railroad Map

12. According to the map, what were two ultimate destinations of slaves on the Underground Railroad? [2] ____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

13. Describe the Underground Railroad. [1]

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Document #7

Prohibition in the United States 1855

14. Define prohibition. [1] ____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

15. According to the map, identify at least two states that successful passed prohibition laws. [2]

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Prohibition simply means to prohibit alcohol. As part of the mid-1800s Temperance Movement, many states passed prohibition laws. Maine was the first state to ban the manufacturing and selling of liquor in 1851 as part of the Maine Laws. In the map, the states that are colored white refer to the states that had passed a prohibition law by 1855. Those that are shaded had not.

Organize [ ]