Antebellum Culture

Although the United States got off to a pretty good start after the revolution, some issues started to become apparent during the early 19th century. A new generation was taking the reigns of the country, people who weren't around during the revolution. The government was also being modified, as the United States pretty much came up with its own system of government. People were unsure about the new things going on politically. Also, Americans started to think that slavery may not be as justified as they thought. As slavery rebellions started to occur, people's thoughts about it changed. Earlier, they believed that the slaves were accepting of their situation, and that they were treated as family. However, with news of rebellions such as the one on the Creole, and Toussaint's role in the Haitian Revolution, it became clear that the slaves were being mistreated. Because of this, and dwindling trust in the government, new societies started to come up involving equal rights for all people, instead of just equal rights for all white men. Various abolitionist and women's rights organizations were started, and these ideas began to spread. Some organizations released statements saying that mothers have the duty of being good role models to their children, and making sure they grow up to become good Christians, and just good people in general. As America developed in the early 19th century, certain societies formed to try to change America for the better in ways they didn't think the government could.

Jefferson vs Hamilton

Thomas Jefferson is essentially worshipped by Americans today, as he stands out as one of those who gave the most to America in its early days, but the United States, over time, has shifted towards Alexander Hamilton's ideas, rather than keeping America how it was in colonial times. Thomas Jefferson receives a lot of credit for the foundation of our country. He wrote the Declaration of Independence after all. He is also on the nickel and the $2 bill showing that he is highly regarded enough to be put on two pieces of American currency. Hamilton is on the $10 bill, but those are less common than nickels, and there has been consideration to replace him with Ronald Reagan, anyway. Despite all this, today's America agrees more with Hamilton's ideas than with Jefferson's. For instance, at first, the federal government didn't handle very much, and most states mostly governed themselves. Today, federal government has taken on a larger role, as Hamilton believed was appropriate. Also, Jefferson believed the economy should be agriculture-based, which it was, until the Industrial Revolution. Today, almost everything, even food, is made in factories. Finally, Jefferson did not believe in a national bank, and yet today almost everyone has money in banks with branches in many states, if not all across the country. Although Thomas Jefferson gets credit for setting America on its path to success, today's America represents Hamilton's more than his own.