It is very difficult to ascertain for any given nation, which, has been a better era for its people. Be it social, economic or political issues, a variety of opinions are available. In order to best answer this topic it is important to first examine the conditions, which prevailed society at the time. Most importantly United States was divided between opposing North and South.
The antebellum North section of the United States (a definition usually given to states above the 39'43 geographic line, also known as the Mason-Dixon Line) was primarily industrial, unsuited in both weather and land quality to an agricultural economy. The South, in contrast, was primarily agricultural, with the labor-intensive crops of cotton and tobacco as the primary cash crops of the Southern economy. And although massive plantations were rare (most Southern whites were small farmers), the cotton kingdom exerted enormous economic power.

With such different concerns, the North and the South were naturally interested in different policies and laws to make their economies as profitable as possible. The North was interested in a strong central government, which would make commerce smoother, and tariffs, which would protect their manufactures. The South, on the other hand, was interested in strong state and local rule, which made control over agricultural goods easier and more under the sway of the individual, and had no interest in tariffs. Both sides were interested in gaining control over new territory, which would make their overall economies more expansive and powerful. These are just a few examples of the ways in which economics caused the North and the South to clash.

The cultural and philosophical problems prevailing caused a moral argument between North and South. Most whites, including those in the North, fully believed that blacks were subhuman and unable to govern themselves effectively. Even the fiercest abolitionists such as William Lloyd Garrison believed in the end of slavery for religious reasons rather than actually advocating equality for all men. Awareness of the horrors of slavery and agitation over the morality of the institution, combined with general cultural differences between North and South, had a powerful effect on the life of an average American. A general unrest and hostile feelings among the blacks were breeding in the early 19th century.

In addition to their inability to create peace through compromise, Congress and the judicial system were unable to make up their minds about their positions and policy relating to slavery, which only made both regions angrier and tenser. The Government was thus unable to provide the peace and calm, integral to progress of life. Around the time 1820 America was wrought with social, economic, cultural and political problems. There were a number of issues demanding radical changes to be made in society as a whole and the government in particular. The enormous strain and hostility gave rise eventually to the civil war. Although the mortality numbers for the war were staggering--about 620,000 deaths out of a total of 2.4 million soldiers. The South was devastated. But the Union was preserved, and slavery was abolished. For the bonded and the opressed, 1860 brought a revolutionary change.

Between the years of 1820-1860, the United States experienced its first great Reform Movement (movement to correct social and economic wrongs in the nation). Two great religious revivals at this time led to increased personal morality and a desire to reach out and help the hurting members of society. Thus, they laid the foundation for the Great Reform movement known as the Jacksonian Era Reforms. The change that this and other factors brought to the life of an average American was noticeable. Some issues where the changes were most widely felt were:

Slavery
Probably the most pressing issue at the time was slavery. The United States was torn between white masters and black slaves. Abolitionist groups, (those who wanted to outlaw slavery completely in the U.S.), were already in existence, but they were few in size and number. By 1820, these groups began to show marked growth. By 1830, many Free Blacks began taking leadership roles in the "movement". Among the first was David Walker, whose publication Appeal called for violent actions if necessary to end slavery. In the south some slaves took personal action in an effort to win freedom and end slavery, resulting in slave revolts. These attempted revolts led some Northerners to turn away from the Movement. In addition, many Northerners feared the free slaves would move north and compete with them for jobs.

Women's Rights
In the early 1800's women were usually considered to be mentally and physically inferior to men. They generally were not allowed to own property, control their earnings, or attend high school or college. They were also not allowed to vote. In 1820 Francis Wright began touring the U.S. speaking out in favor of women's rights. By the 1840's, she was joined by a host of other speakers. In 1837, the movement began to see progress when Oberlain College became the first college to admit women.1850; Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman doctor in the U.S. In general by the end of 1860 women's rights movement had made great gains. Although a lot had yet to be done, women had stepped onto the ladder of recognition.

Prison conditions
Before 1820 many prisons often housed the old, the young, male and females together in a common cell. In addition, individuals who suffered from mental illness were often placed in jail. Practices like whippings and chaining prisoners to the wall or their beds were common. 1841, Dorthea Lynn Dix led the movement to change conditions in prisons movement was able to successfully outlaw the death penalty for lesser crimes, end the practice of imprisonment for debt, outlaw the whipping and beating of prisoners, and obtain separate quarters for men, women, children and the mentally ill.

Public education
In the early 1800's public education consisted of a few poorly supplied elementary schools. By the 1830's, Horace Mann was leading a movement to reform public education in the U.S. In 1827 Massachusetts passed a law that required all towns with a population exceeding 500 provide a school. Realizing the importance of education New York was the first state to provide free elementary schools. By 1850, most northern cities had followed New York's example. Whereas before the1820’s an average American could not aspire to get a passable education, by the end of 1860’s a long lasting change had been made one, which heralded the nation’s revolutionary progress.