Why did America produce so many reform and utopian movements? What did they contribute to American culture?

America began to produce so many varied and colorful reform movements due to its economic condition of both security and great change, high rates of immigration, and stable societal structure. The combination of these factors created an environment where both backlash and new ideals surged forward; leaving in their wake a plethora of offshoots that would forever become the calico face of America. During the early to mid 19th century The United States experienced rapid growth economically with financial panics being short lived and of no great depth. This condition permitted people to question old ways of practice, and look for even greater improvements. Ironically, as economic conditions improve, more people look to improve them even more drastically, while when conditions are bad, change is looked at with a tired eye. This was evidenced during the Communist rule of Russia, and the Great Depression in America. Because people are barely surviving to begin with, they fear that any change could result in terrible anguish, as they have nothing to fall back on. The change from a purely agrarian to an industrial nation also spurred on reform. High-minded individuals saw terrible conditions in factories developing and were vehemently opposed to the squalor. Some had traveled to England, where pollution from factories had decimated the air and rivers, and did not wish to repeat the act in such a pristine land. High rates of immigration also fueled reform, as new people that were brought in were often desperate and could be easily exploited by capitalism. Additionally, immigrants did not always have the same ideals as Protestant Anglo-Saxons, especially in respect to drinking and

merry-making. Although later influential in shaping the identity of America, immigrants had little effect on creating their own reform movements, mostly because they were more concerned with creating a solid foundation before trying to build a new one. The stable social structure of the United States in the first half of the 1800s also contributed to the numerous reforms. Recoiling from no major social upheavals, reformers found many like-minded partners in their own social classes, especially among middle class women, who campaigned valiantly for abolition and temperance. A stable society also allowed them to practice their reforms effectively, as they were able to target relatively static targets, and not have to change goals as one found less support or was too controversial. The reforms produced a myriad of effects that imprinted deeply upon The United States. Most notable was not a movement at all, but that women gained a valuable political voice that had serious influence across the country. Although they did not have equal rights, it set the precedent for the struggle for them. Additionally, the Second Great Awakening occurred, spurring further religious devotion throughout a country that had waning piety. Reforms of humanitarian nature also emerged, with sanitariums seeing new methods of treatment that were less prison-like and voices of opposition for the treatment of factory workers becoming louder. Even more extreme than simple reforms were utopian communities that sprung up, notably the Oneida Community. Encouraging much of this was the reform of public schools from simple one-room schoolhouses to more formal education for the hoi polloi. The different aspects of America that allow for reform and advancement all fall under a single category: stability. With stability, people are unafraid to try new methods, as they realize they can always revert and start over.