Petition of Amelia Bloomer Regarding Suffrage in the West Background Mid-19th century America was in some respects an age of perfectionism. People believed religious, moral, social, or political perfection was obtainable. Many different reform causes attracted dedicated adherents. Mental health. Temperance. Education. Abolition. Utopian socialism. Diet. Seances. Fashion. Suffrage. Less serious issues competed with the more serious for a place on the public policy agenda. Disparate efforts under