Second Great Awakening

Definition

The Second Great Awakening was a significant religious revival movement in the early 19th century in the United States, characterized by widespread evangelism, emotional preaching, and a surge in Protestant denominations. This movement sparked an increase in religious enthusiasm and activism, leading to social reform movements and the establishment of various Protestant missions aimed at spreading Christianity and addressing societal issues.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Second Great Awakening began around the 1790s and peaked in the 1820s and 1830s, transforming American religious life.
2. It featured camp meetings, large gatherings where people would gather for several days to hear sermons, sing hymns, and experience communal worship.
3. The movement contributed to the rise of new denominations like the Baptists and Methodists, as well as the growth of existing ones.
4. Many social reform movements emerged from the Second Great Awakening, including abolitionism, temperance, and women's rights, driven by a belief in moral improvement.
5. Prominent figures such as Charles Finney became influential preachers during this revival, advocating for personal conversion and active participation in social causes.

Review Questions

• How did the Second Great Awakening influence the development of various Protestant denominations in America?
  • The Second Great Awakening led to a significant increase in religious fervor that encouraged people to join and form new denominations. Existing denominations like Methodism and Baptism expanded rapidly due to their ability to connect with people on an emotional level during revivals. This movement highlighted personal faith experiences, which resulted in many individuals seeking out these communities that emphasized personal conversion and active faith.
• Discuss the impact of revival meetings on American society during the Second Great Awakening.
  • Revival meetings were central to the Second Great Awakening as they served as a platform for emotional preaching and community engagement. These gatherings attracted large crowds and encouraged a sense of collective spiritual awakening. The enthusiasm generated from these events not only rejuvenated individual faith but also spurred many attendees to participate in social reform movements such as abolitionism and temperance, showing how religion intersected with social issues.
• Evaluate how the Second Great Awakening laid the groundwork for future social reform movements in America.
  • The Second Great Awakening played a crucial role in fostering a spirit of activism that transcended mere religious revival. The emphasis on moral responsibility encouraged individuals to take action against societal ills, resulting in significant movements like abolitionism and women's rights advocacy. By framing social reform as an extension of one's faith, this period set a precedent for future generations to see activism as a vital expression of their religious beliefs.

Related terms

Evangelicalism: A branch of Protestantism that emphasizes the necessity of personal conversion, the authority of Scripture, and the importance of spreading the Christian faith.

Revivalism: A practice within Protestant Christianity focusing on bringing about a spiritual renewal through emotional gatherings and religious fervor.

Circuit Riders: Traveling preachers, often associated with Methodism, who rode on horseback to reach remote areas, spreading the Christian faith during the Second Great Awakening.