Antebellum Reform

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 …

…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.