Chauqua Movement Research Paper
Wilda François
Ms DiBrienza
US. History I
2 April 2014 The Chautauqua Movement
The Progressive Era was a time when many Gilded Age issues and problems were either improved or resolved. Some of the greatest improvements were in the areas of the Arts and Education. At the turn of the 20th century, education was very scarce. Many people were illiterate and not many children had the opportunity to go to school because they were too busy working in factories or on farms. However, it had been a goal of some Progressive reformers to develop programs that would eliminate children’s participation in child labor, and increase their involvement in education and extracurricular activities (Davis). To that end, in 1874, John Heyl Vincent …show more content…
Chautauquans learned so much, and it was marveled by many. “William Jennings Bryan deemed Chautauqua a "potent human factor in molding the mind of the nation” (Chautauqua Trail). Chautauqua showed people different aspects of education. Not only could the people take general education classes, but also many informal classes were offered as well. Millions of people attended and as part of the Chautauqua cultural program, Chautauquans could take music lessons, elocution, calisthenics, and dance. Music was an important part of the movement. Some hymns were written by Mary Lathbury and became an integral part of religious services. The Chautauqua band had also performed at both formal and informal events (The Chautauqua …show more content…
Due to the fact that all good things must eventually come to an end, the decline of the Chautauqua Movement occurred in the mid 1930s. Since the movement was densely populated with women, the rise of liberated and educated women caused them to no longer need Chautauqua. Due to the fact that it functioned for many lower/middle class women, Chautauquas were training grounds from which women could launch careers. When more opportunities arrived, the woman 's interest in Chautauqua faded (Chautauqua Trail). Another reason for the decline was, of course, the Great Depression. The Depression made the Chautauqua Movements economically impossible to function. Even though these occurrences put an end to the movement, it paved a path for further inventions regarding technology and mass entertainment for our society. Some of the inventions that also caused the movement’s decline were, automobiles, motion pictures, and radios. Automobiles eliminated isolation in American towns because people could travel one place to another in certain time frames. Motion pictures, movies, provided nationwide entertainment. The invention of radios allowed people to listen to current cultural events without having to buy newspapers or leave their home (Lakeside Ohio). Even though these inventions led to the decline of the movement, as well as the other factors, the
Ms DiBrienza
US. History I
2 April 2014 The Chautauqua Movement
The Progressive Era was a time when many Gilded Age issues and problems were either improved or resolved. Some of the greatest improvements were in the areas of the Arts and Education. At the turn of the 20th century, education was very scarce. Many people were illiterate and not many children had the opportunity to go to school because they were too busy working in factories or on farms. However, it had been a goal of some Progressive reformers to develop programs that would eliminate children’s participation in child labor, and increase their involvement in education and extracurricular activities (Davis). To that end, in 1874, John Heyl Vincent …show more content…
Chautauquans learned so much, and it was marveled by many. “William Jennings Bryan deemed Chautauqua a "potent human factor in molding the mind of the nation” (Chautauqua Trail). Chautauqua showed people different aspects of education. Not only could the people take general education classes, but also many informal classes were offered as well. Millions of people attended and as part of the Chautauqua cultural program, Chautauquans could take music lessons, elocution, calisthenics, and dance. Music was an important part of the movement. Some hymns were written by Mary Lathbury and became an integral part of religious services. The Chautauqua band had also performed at both formal and informal events (The Chautauqua …show more content…
Due to the fact that all good things must eventually come to an end, the decline of the Chautauqua Movement occurred in the mid 1930s. Since the movement was densely populated with women, the rise of liberated and educated women caused them to no longer need Chautauqua. Due to the fact that it functioned for many lower/middle class women, Chautauquas were training grounds from which women could launch careers. When more opportunities arrived, the woman 's interest in Chautauqua faded (Chautauqua Trail). Another reason for the decline was, of course, the Great Depression. The Depression made the Chautauqua Movements economically impossible to function. Even though these occurrences put an end to the movement, it paved a path for further inventions regarding technology and mass entertainment for our society. Some of the inventions that also caused the movement’s decline were, automobiles, motion pictures, and radios. Automobiles eliminated isolation in American towns because people could travel one place to another in certain time frames. Motion pictures, movies, provided nationwide entertainment. The invention of radios allowed people to listen to current cultural events without having to buy newspapers or leave their home (Lakeside Ohio). Even though these inventions led to the decline of the movement, as well as the other factors, the