Question

In the 1800s, many people living in America could not take advantage of all the opportunities the country offered. Which reform movements were the most successful at making changes to give these people more opportunities?

Write a complete paragraph arguing your position. Then, write a second paragraph countering another student's argument. (If you're working alone, you may counter your own argument.) Your paragraphs should each be four to five sentences in length and include a topic sentence that clearly states your argument, at least two supporting details, and a concluding sentence. This section is worth 10 points.








In your second post, respond to the argument of another student whose ideas are different from yours. Provide a counterargument to that student's position. If you are working alone, write a response countering your own argument.

Answer 1

I believe the most successful reform movements in the 1800s that expanded opportunities for Americans were the abolitionist movement and the women's suffrage movement. The abolitionists fought to free enslaved African Americans from bondage and grant them equal rights and citizenship. The women's suffrage movement fought long and hard to win women the right to vote, finally achieved with the passage of the 19th amendment. These movements helped dismantle unjust laws and practices that had denied basic rights and dignity to groups of people.

Some students may argue that the labor movement or progressive movement had a bigger impact, but I disagree. While those movements led to important reforms like fair wages, safe working conditions, and regulation of monopolies, they did not undo systemic oppression and grant fundamental rights in the way the abolitionist and women's suffrage movements did. They improved conditions but did not transform citizens' status. Only by winning their hard-fought liberations did African Americans and women gain access to the full promise of opportunity in America. Overall, the abolitionist and women's suffrage movements were the most pivotal in removing barriers and expanding opportunity.

My fellow student may claim that the populism movement or progressive era reforms did more to achieve that goal, but I do not find their argument convincing. Populism was an intangible call for change that did not coalesce into concrete progress, and era-wide progress was piecemeal at best. In contrast, the abolitionist and women's suffrage movements maintained a laser-focus on securing basic rights and reshaping the very foundations of citizenship. They built what other movements could only aspire to, ultimately transforming America into a more just and inclusive democracy. For these reasons, they stand out as the most successful in giving citizens more opportunities.