Why is it good to learn about the reform movements in the 1800`s? Examples inside.?

Dorothea Dix was also for Woman's Emancipation, Frederick Douglas was a freed Slave that was an Abolitionist, Henry David Thoreau was a Transcendentalist who wanted you to be true to yourself. Wiki has a whole list of these and Names you can google. The point is young people now days are not interested in their fellow man or woman but in themselves and entertaining themselves.