The Second Great Awakening

Definition

The Second Great Awakening was a Protestant religious revival that took place in the early 19th century, primarily in the United States, and emphasized individual piety, personal salvation, and a direct relationship with God. This movement significantly influenced various social reform movements, including abolitionism, temperance, and women's rights, as it encouraged people to act on their beliefs and seek moral improvement in society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Second Great Awakening began in the 1790s and reached its peak during the 1820s and 1830s, transforming American religious life.
2. Camp meetings were a popular method of evangelism during the Second Great Awakening, attracting large crowds who sought spiritual renewal.
3. Key figures of the movement included Charles Finney, who emphasized the need for personal conversion and societal reform through his preaching.
4. The Second Great Awakening led to a significant increase in church membership across various denominations, particularly among Methodists and Baptists.
5. It played a crucial role in inspiring many social reform movements, including efforts to improve education, promote women's rights, and combat alcohol consumption.

Review Questions

• How did the Second Great Awakening impact individual beliefs about personal salvation and morality?
  • The Second Great Awakening encouraged individuals to seek a direct relationship with God, emphasizing personal conversion and piety. This shift led many to believe that they had a personal responsibility to improve their own moral lives and contribute positively to society. As people became more focused on individual salvation, they began to engage more actively in social issues, pushing for reforms that aligned with their newfound spiritual convictions.
• In what ways did the Second Great Awakening influence social reform movements during the 19th century?
  • The Second Great Awakening had a profound impact on various social reform movements by instilling a sense of moral urgency among its followers. Leaders of the revivalist movement often preached about the need for societal improvement, which spurred activism against slavery, for women's rights, and for temperance. The belief that individuals could effect change through their actions led many to advocate passionately for these causes, thereby intertwining faith with social justice.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Second Great Awakening on American society and religious practice into the 20th century.
  • The long-term effects of the Second Great Awakening reshaped American society and religious practices well into the 20th century by establishing a legacy of activism rooted in religious faith. The revival movement laid the groundwork for future reform movements, such as civil rights and environmentalism, as the idea that individuals have a duty to act on their beliefs became embedded in American culture. Additionally, it contributed to the diversification of religious expressions and denominations in America, promoting an atmosphere where new movements could flourish.

Related terms

Revivalism: A religious movement characterized by enthusiastic preaching and emotional conversion experiences, often held in large outdoor gatherings.

Transcendentalism:

A philosophical and literary movement that emerged alongside the Second Great Awakening, emphasizing individual intuition and the inherent goodness of people and nature.

Abolitionism:

The movement aimed at ending slavery in the United States, which gained momentum during the Second Great Awakening as religious leaders called for moral action against the institution of slavery.