Second Great Awakening

Definition

The Second Great Awakening was a widespread religious revival movement in the United States during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, emphasizing personal piety, individual salvation, and emotional experiences in worship. This movement played a crucial role in reshaping American religion, leading to the growth of various denominations and fostering social reform movements such as abolitionism and women's rights.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Second Great Awakening began around the 1790s and continued into the early 19th century, with significant events like camp meetings drawing large crowds for emotional worship.
2. Key figures such as Charles Finney emerged during this period, advocating for revivalism and promoting the idea that individuals could achieve salvation through personal faith and effort.
3. The movement led to the rise of new religious denominations, including Methodists and Baptists, who emphasized direct personal connections with God.
4. Social reform movements like temperance, women's rights, and abolitionism were deeply influenced by the moral imperatives promoted during the Second Great Awakening.
5. The revivals often featured passionate preaching styles and communal experiences, fostering a sense of shared identity and purpose among participants.

Review Questions

• How did the Second Great Awakening influence individual beliefs about salvation in American society?
  • The Second Great Awakening shifted beliefs about salvation from predestination to personal agency. It emphasized that individuals could attain salvation through their own efforts, including repentance and faith. This change encouraged more people to engage in religious practices actively and fostered a sense of empowerment among believers, leading to a broader participation in religious life across various communities.
• In what ways did the Second Great Awakening contribute to the development of social reform movements in the United States?
  • The Second Great Awakening's emphasis on personal morality and social responsibility inspired many participants to engage in social reform. As revivalists preached about moral issues, individuals felt compelled to address societal problems like slavery, women's rights, and temperance. The connection between religious fervor and social action created a powerful impetus for change, resulting in organized efforts toward improving society based on spiritual principles.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Second Great Awakening on American religious practices and societal norms.
  • The Second Great Awakening had profound long-term effects on American religion and societal norms. It led to the proliferation of diverse denominations and a more democratic approach to faith, allowing individuals greater freedom in their spiritual practices. Additionally, it catalyzed ongoing social movements that transformed societal values regarding equality and justice, influencing not only religious life but also broader American culture throughout the 19th century and beyond.

Related terms

Revivalism: A movement characterized by enthusiastic and emotional religious gatherings aimed at inspiring faith and encouraging conversions.

Abolitionism: The social and political movement aimed at ending slavery in the United States, which gained momentum as a result of the moral fervor sparked by the Second Great Awakening.

Transcendentalism: A philosophical movement that emerged in the 1830s and 1840s, advocating for intuition over tradition and emphasizing the inherent goodness of people and nature, closely linked to the social reforms inspired by the Second Great Awakening.