Jacksonian Reform Movements

During the Jacksonian era, many reforms sprung up because of many campaigners following moral concepts of equality and good virtue. Religious beliefs were the main foothold for change, as the ministers were now preaching that salvation could be achieved by everyone. From 1820 to 1860, reform movements played an important role in shaping America due to the rise of engagements dealing with temperance and education; but even though there was much change alongside the new cultural values from the Second Great Awakening, sectionalism and the subordination of women were still strongly evident and continued between the regions and genders, respectively. First, the Temperance movement was inspired by ministers who were wanting to target alcoholism and make a change for the better. The followers of the American Temperance Society attempted to begin a pledge of alcoholic abstinence, as there was a large rate of consumption in America. To
The main goals for the common schools were: compulsory attendance, a long school year, and better prepared teachers. Reformers also pushed for morality alongside knowledge, as the teaching of hard work and respect would be valuable assets in the long run. The Second Great Awakening inspired the growth of private colleges for adults wishing to pursue a higher education. However, even with the inspired change among the people, there was still sectionalism that divided the north and south. Groups in the North such as the American Antislavery Society and the Liberal Party pledged to end slavery and let the blacks be free in America. On the other hand, the southerners were strongly against this movement, and preferred to keep their slaves for their thriving economy. This rift between the two regions continued for many years, because the south was more traditional and did not want a change that could affect their