The Underdogs: 1850–1900

Abstract

This chapter discusses laws covering the poor, women, family, and races in the second half of the nineteenth century. The American system provided a voice, and a share in the economy to more people, and to a greater percentage of the population, than most of the Old World countries did. But decisively not everybody. Women lacked rights and were definitely the weaker sex, socially speaking. For blacks, for Native Americans, for the Chinese, for the unorganized and the powerless in general, this great democracy had little enough to offer. However, there were some changes in the late nineteenth century. A movement, staffed by volunteers, arose to make charity more “scientific,” and to bring some sort of order out of chaos. In addition, a small but enthusiastic band of people, inside and outside of government, worked hard to improve the lot of the poor and the institutions that served them.