In the US in the 19th century, religion still played a large part in social and economic relations. Many states and cities were established by the English pilgrims, or at least these cities and states had a wide network of churches with the ongoing masses which the commoners and elites were obliged to visit to be perceived as decent society members. Therefore, the values and basic concepts of Christianity were integrated into the new social movements quite naturally.
Movements for the abolition of slavery, women’s rights, or the temperance movement were reflecting the current social problems, were enriched through the participation of women, and were generally based on the Christian values of diligence, modesty, equality, and loving thy neighbors (Walsh, 2019). There were also women’s Christian temperance movements that were fighting for sobriety. Unfortunately, the movements were distorted due to the elite men’s pride and unwillingness to change the state of affairs that was most convenient to them, so the movements faced significant resistance (“Women in the 19th century,” 2013). In general, social participation in movements was perceived as the parishioners following God’s will.
The reforms that regarded human and race equality and gender equality, as well as the temperance movement, were closely related to each other. All these movements were a step forward, compared to the old state of things. It should be emphasized that abolitionists gladly welcomed support from women’s rights activists, mostly women, but did not provide mutual support. The struggle for sobriety was a separate direction of social reforms and concerned mainly poorer sections of the population, where women and men had more equal rights than in elite circles. Given the religious influence and social encouragement, women who were wives, sisters, daughters, and mothers of mayors and governors also actively supported all three movements.
References
Walsh, J. (2019). The Women’s Christian Temperance Union: Demanding rights and oppressing immigrants. The Histories, 9(2), 6.
Women in the 19th century: Crash course US History #16. (2013). [Video file].