Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

What did Dorothea Dix advocate for in the 19th century?

1. Child labor reforms

2. Changes in the treatment of the insane

3. Women's suffrage

4. Prison reform

The correct answer is: Changes in the treatment of the insane

Dorothea Dix was a pioneering advocate for mental health reform in the 19th century. She dedicated much of her life to improving conditions for the mentally ill and fought to establish better treatment facilities. Before her efforts, individuals with mental illnesses were often subjected to inhumane conditions, housed in jails or poorhouses, and received little to no care. Dix's extensive investigations into these institutions led to public awareness and legislative changes aimed at creating asylums that would provide compassionate care rather than punishment. Her advocacy was crucial to shaping the understanding of mental health issues during her time, emphasizing the need for humane treatment based on the medical understanding of psychological conditions rather than the prevailing notion of moral failing. Dix's work significantly influenced the establishment of public mental health systems and helped shift the conversation about how society treats those with mental health issues. In this context, the other choices are related to important social movements, but they don't encapsulate Dix's primary focus. While her work overlapped with broader reforms, such as those concerning prisons or women's rights, her most distinctive legacy lies in her commitment to improving the treatment of the insane.