There were many reform movements which took place during the 1800s leading up to the Civil War, a primary effect of these movements. Still, each different campaign had at least one aspect of similarity: their cause. Antebellum reform was motivated primarily by humanitarian goals due to the influences of evangelicalism, human morale, and democratic ideals.
Religion played a major role in the lives of all citizens during the building and expansion of the United States into the West. Its greatest influence occurred upon not only the attitudes of people, but also their actions. Evangelicalism was the main religion which people lived by during the 1800s as its influence in the Second Great Awakening proved successful. Instead of preaching brimstone and hellfire sermons, ministers resorted to the hope left for humankind of becoming worthy of God. In turn, the people of the country committed to their families and lessened the amount of drinking and smoking done. “The American Reformer was the product of evangelical religion, which presented to every person the necessity for positive action to save his own soul.” Each man believed now that his wrongdoing could not be undone but overshadowed by a number of good deeds. Therefore, a system likened to community service in the present was formed, helping little by little to improve the life of all citizens in the 1800s.
Human morale also performed a part in contributing to the antebellum reform promoted by humanitarian goals of the time. Greater measures were taken to improve the quality of life for everyone and more importantly to behave appropriately at all times. Manners and etiquette developed from a desire of the upper classes to separate themselves from the lower classes of people although they did so in a discreet way. “[The American reformer] recognized that each cause he espoused was a part of a world of progress and aspiration, but peculiarly his was the freedom to experiment, for in his homeland there was room and hospitality for adventure.” During this “era of good feeling,” people were more inclined to choose a cause and stick with it to make the world better even in a small way. Simply possessing an opinion and acting on it was purposeful in this time when many new ideologies and beliefs were adopted.
The Essay on Analysis of Life, Death and the After-Life in Religion
Do not stand at my grave and weep;I am not there, I do not sleep.I am a thousand winds that blow.I am the diamond glints on snow.I am the sunlight on ripened grain.I am the gentle autumn rain.When you awaken in the morning's hushI am the swift uplifting rushOf quiet birds in circled flight.I am the soft stars that shine at night.Do not stand at my grave and cry;I am not there, I did not die.-- ...
Most importantly, democratic ideals led people to believe that their duty to their country was greater than that to themselves. Because America was still a young union during the antebellum period, it was important for the government to be imaginative and open to all fresh ideas and innovations. By allowing more opinions to be among a list of choices, the people of the United States could conform to democracy, hence the root of the word meaning “rule of the people.” Even foreigners could see that America was the birthplace of freedom and the home of liberty by observing the quality of life and happiness there. “It is really an incredible thing . . . to see how this people keeps itself in order through the single conviction that its only safeguard against itself lies in itself.” So Alexis de Tocqueville wrote in admiration of the superior organization of the country in the midst of so much reform conflict. The sheer pleasure of promoting a cause led to the numerous reform movements around the United States in the 1800s preceding the Civil War, the climax of each reform in the embodiment of war against slavery.
In conclusion to the evidence presented, one can determine that antebellum reform in the United States was indeed motivated by humanitarian goals. Democracy and government based mainly on the needs of the people was responsible for opening the floor to discussion of these issues. Evangelicalism approved and promoted the causes introduced during this time, and lastly the citizens of the country became motivated to pursue their causes by their own human morale, their instinct to do well.
The Essay on State Cross Country Meet
State Cross Country Meet I can still remember the day I ran at the state Cross Country Meet. It was one of the most exciting days of my life. It took place in Round Rock, Texas during my sophomore year in high school. I never forget that day; it is a great experience for anyone to get to go through. It was 11: 45 a. m. as I was standing outside getting ready for the big race. It was cold, wet, and ...
