Reform is a political ideology that aims to create an ethical government beholden to the people. It is against special interests and corrupt politicians, and in favour of policies that will bring back jobs to the United States and rebuild the middle class.

America in the early 1800s was experiencing great economic, social, and cultural change. These changes sparked a wave of moral and social reform, which sought to address issues ranging from alcohol abuse to slavery to women’s rights. This book surveys the major reform movements of the era and examines their main goals, methods, and long-lasting effects.

In the beginning, most reformers sought to change society by means of voluntary associations—associations that brought together members of a particular profession, interest, or race to organize political action. Many of these associations had national organizations with state and local auxiliaries that promoted their cause by sponsoring speakers, publishing pamphlets, and organizing meetings. These societies sprang from the belief that society’s values were corrupt and in need of cleansing.

Over time, however, reformers began to lose faith that they could accomplish their goals by moral suasion alone and adopted (often at first grudgingly) the use of coercive measures. In particular, anti-slavery activists resorted to violent tactics to break the power of slaveholders and promote emancipation.

As a result of these pressures, reformers increasingly looked to establish utopian communities as models for a better world. This strand, which is often identified as millennialism or perfectionism, gave rise to innumerable small and large efforts to “come out” of mainstream society and set up isolated enclaves where they hoped to realize a more purely spiritual, happy life.