These reform movements were spearheaded by determined individuals. Many of these charismatic individuals came from the North East. One of the reform was the reduction of alcoholic beverages by Lyman Beecher(temperance movement). Temperance movement came into existence in 1808 after Dr.Rush publication of the declaration of independence. Some treaties were condemned especially those made after the Indians were first plied with liquor. The movement was well implemented during the First World War so as to preserve resources to be used in war. After the end of the First World War, UK Liberal government passed the defense of the realm act. There was also successful passage of the eighteenth amendment in the United States. In Canada, there was the cutoff of importation of alcohol. Some countries adopted early closing times for bars (Kellogg, 2010).
Elizabeth Candy Stanton and Lucretia Mott led the women’s rights movement where they wrote down their declaration. Women wanted to be treated equally to men. Feminist movement has successfully contributed to positive changes whereby women’s can now vote; serve in the military among others. Public education under Horace Mann passed with the Trade Unions supporting it. A good by product of public education are the teachers Unions. Dorothy Dix pushed for better treatment for the mentally ill (asylum) individuals. She made her case for state supported care. This bore fruits for it led to the founding of the first mental health hospital in the state of Massachusetts. She also moved to Europe where she lucratively implored for human rights to Queen Victoria and the pope. Their objectives were prison libraries, basic literacy, reduction in whipping and beating, separation of women and children. America was considered to have the two of the prisons by 1835 and European reformers looked at it as a sculpt for constructing, exploiting and improving their systems (Kellogg, 2010).
Reference
Kellogg, W. O. (2010). Barron's E-Z American history. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series.