Question

In what ways did the Age of Reform change the United States? How did the reform movement affect the political and social landscape of the period, and what were the consequences? Be sure to consider how the reformers promoted their messages, who listened and participated, and what specific actions that they encouraged.

Answer 1

Historians described the era 1830–50 as a "age of change." While the dollar's pursuit was so frenzied that some observers called it the true religion of the world, tens of thousands of Americans joined a number of movements devoted to spiritual and secular upliftment. There is still no consensus as to why the antebellum decades saw a drive for change exploded. Some of the reasons given, none of which are definitive, include an explosion of Protestant evangelicalism, a spirit of change that spread through the Anglo-American world, a delayed reaction to the Enlightenment's perfectionist teachings

The strangest thing about American life was its mix of moral aspiration and economic poverty. Both relied on the belief that they could influence and develop the future. Life on the plains may have been cruel and harsh, but there was a deep conviction that the human condition was likely to change for the better: human nature itself was not trapped in the pit of everlasting failure, as Calvinism had foretold in the past.

The era of "freedom's ferment" from 1830 until 1860 fused the late 18th century humanitarian impulses with the early 19th century revivalistic pulse. The two sources coincided. For example, the earnest Christians establishing the American Christian Missionary Society believed it was their responsibility to bring the good news of salvation to the "heathens" of Asia through Jesus Christ. But in carrying out this very arrogant attack on the religions of the poor in China and India, they founded schools and hospitals that greatly enhanced their Chinese and "Hindoo" converts' earthly lot in a manner that Jefferson would have approved of.

As the industrialization march made thousands of workers reliant on the uncontrollable ups and downs of the business cycle and the generosity of employers characterized by some at the time as "putting the lives of the many into the hands of the few" the growing disparity between classes spurred economic reformers into action. Some acknowledged capitalism's permanence but sought to improve workplace bargaining power by trade unions. Others opposed the concept of private enterprise, and opted for a cooperative rather than competitive reorganization of society.

Popular celebration of allegedly Anglo-Saxon energy and freedom characteristics helped mark other "races" Indians as well as Africans, Asians and Hispanics as inferiors who would have to give in to advancement. In all, the historic moment was unkind to the Indians, because some of the ideals that ultimately maintained the United States' development and stability were the very ones that worked against any living-and-let-live agreement between the original Americans and the newcomers.