Social Reform DBQ Essay

The ideas of Americans transitioned greatly in the mid-1800’s. This time period became known as the Antebellum years. After Andrew Jackson's presidency, his ideas of the common man continued to spread. This lead to a new way of thinking that broke tradition. Many diverse people who found different inspirations help reform America. These ideas stemmed from different areas including religion, education, and equality.
Religious reform is one of the most notable and evident reforms of the time period. Many modern day religions, were created in 1840’s. The Mormon religion was created in the 2nd great awakening and is still highly concentrated in same areas Reform started due to Americans starting to question what was considered a sin. For example, Theodore Parker argued that war was a sin, and good a Christian man should not fight in the war with Mexico.(Document 5) It was new ideas like this that lead to the creation of new religions, and communities. Many groups created in the antebellum years are still around today. Americans used religion to promote liberty and unite people. Therefore, as religion changed it was only fit the reform spirit was created. (Document 3) Society was changing to reach perfection and become more god-like. (Document 1). One of the first steps in becoming more god-like was
Socially reform took on a life of its own as equality started to spread. William Lloyd Garrison shared his message through The Liberator newspaper. He wrote regarding all men being equal as stated in the American constitution. ( Document 2) With the new outlook on the sin of slavery and considering the line it the US constitution people began to consider the horrors of slavery. In America, everyone has certain inalienable rights that can not be taken away. (document 6) This idea reformed the minds of Americans, to become more accepting of a diverse