Re*form"er (n) 1. One who effects a reformation or amendment; one who labors for, or urges, reform; as, a reformer of manners, or of abuses.
A reformer is a person who beleievs in something so much that they try to change the way of others.
Economic Reforms
During the pre-civil war era, many inventions and new systems of industry gave a boost to the economy of America. The following are the major factors to the reforms in this period:
Ø Waltham System
Ø Putting-out-system
Ø Cotton Gin
Ø Steam Engine
Ø First board of education
Ø Standardization of schools
Ø Land Prices
Ø Textile Mills
Ø Roads
Ø Interchangable Parts
Worker Reforms
Just as the economy improved, so did the rights of workers. For years since the American Revolution, America began to grow from its original roots. Whereas Britain only intended America to produce raw goods, finally industry began growing. With this, workers no longer worked just in farms, but also factories. In this era, the major reform areas are:
Ø Worker Unions
Ø Rhode Island System
Ø Lower work hours for children
Ø Higher pay
Ø Less unemployment
Ø More benefits
City Reforms
Cities in this era changed dramatically. As immigration grew, cities began to get filled by immigrants. As crime rates rose, there was a greater need for safety. More institutions were built to serve the populace and their needs. Some of the major changes are said as below:
Ø Penitentiaries
Ø Work houses
Ø Mental hospitals
Ø Orphanages
Ø Reformatories
Ø Police Force
Ø Poor Houses