During the years 1820 to 1870, the United States went through significant changes that affected the country’s economy, social life, and government structure. These changes were fuelled by the start of the Industrial Revolution, which saw the rise of many reform movements formed to seek democratic ideals. There were many ideas and forces behind these reform movements. As the Great Awakening brought religion to be appreciated by many, people’s behavior and beliefs were radically changing. In the four decades that preceded the Civil War, Americans fought for reformation in society, seeking to perfect their country. Anti-slavery movements, the push for social and educational reforms and women’s rights movements were some of the forces that defined significant changes during the Antebellum period.
A major characteristic of the Antebellum period was the fight against slavery. Religion taught people that slavery was against God’s will. Thus, many started to fight for the rights of those they considered to be underprivileged, such as slaves, the handicapped, and the mentally-ill. The fight to end slavery changed American society forever. People began to do something about slavery. William Lloyd Garrison formed the American Anti-Slavery Society. The society sponsored many meetings, availed propaganda to support anti-slavery and signed anti-slavery petitions. People also gave speeches and lectures that helped strengthen the anti-slavery message across the United States.
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Besides slavery, the reform movements also fought for the development of the educational systems and for the state of institutions to be improved. The leaders of the reform movements believed that urging the reform movements forward would make America great, stronger, and better. Consequently, the urge for educational reform movements bore fruits. More public schools and special schools for people with special needs were established. Additionally, there was a provision of better health care to the mentall- ill. Horace Mann from Massachusetts was on the front line in promoting public education and spreading the gospel of education and social redemption (Winandy & Hemetsberger, 2020). Mann believed that education alone would prepare the children to become good citizens by enhancing their mental capacities and enriching their minds with knowledge.
Women were also fighting for their civil rights, and what they considered to be their “freedom.” Determined to be heard, the women transformed into feminists fighting for their right to vote and for the ability to work and earn wages for themselves just like their male counterparts. Women such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton stood up to lead women’s rights conventions that were held in several places across the land. As a result of these women's rights movements, there was massive nationalism in the country. Men and women started working together to change the existing stereotypes on the role of women in society. These movements bore fruits as more people took sides on the issue and discussions on women’s rights increased. Consequently, there were open discussions on the issue of inequality between men and women. The actions of the women's rights movements during this period cleared the way for more tumultuous women's rights movements later.
In conclusion, The Antebellum period saw great changes in American society as the Great Awakening led to the anti-slavery movements, pursuits for education and societal reforms, and campaigns against the inequality between men and women. These reform movements marked the start of rapid transformations in society as the country was heading to a civil war.
References
Winandy, J., & Hemetsberger, B. (2020). Ordering the mess: (Re-) defining public schooling as a remedy. Paedagogica Historica , 1-11.
