The Constitution and Bill of Rights defined the structure of the US government and the rights of its citizens.  But as the new nation embarked on its experiment with democracy, it soon became clear that rights were not equally protected for everyone in America.

In the period between the American Revolution and the Civil War, reformers and radicals from a variety of communities began actively agitating for change and the expansion of rights.  The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution opened the doors to the idea that all Americans should enjoy equality and liberty. But what steps would be necessary to make these promises real?

The Assignment:

In a thoughtful, well-written essay, answer the following question:

In the period between 1790 and 1860, what strategies did activists use to agitate for reform? What methods did they use to influence politics, the government, and public opinion? 

In your answer, you may want to consider the abolition movement, the women’s rights movement, worker’s protests or any other protest movement from the period that we have studied.  Be sure to cite specific examples from the primary and secondary sources.