Second great awakening

Definition

The second great awakening was a religious revival movement in the early 19th century that emphasized personal piety, emotional conversion, and the need for societal reform. It marked a shift from traditional religious practices to a more individualistic approach to faith, inspiring various reform movements, including those aimed at social justice and moral improvement. This revival fostered a spirit of activism, particularly within the abolitionist movement, as it encouraged people to address societal issues like slavery through a religious lens.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The second great awakening occurred primarily between the 1790s and the 1840s and was characterized by large-scale revivals and passionate preaching.
2. It led to the establishment of new denominations and the growth of existing ones, including the Methodists and Baptists, which emphasized personal faith and social reform.
3. Women played a significant role in the second great awakening, both as leaders in religious movements and in advocating for social reforms like abolition and temperance.
4. The movement contributed to a rise in utopian communities that sought to create perfect societies based on religious ideals.
5. The second great awakening directly influenced the abolitionist movement, as many converts felt compelled by their faith to take a stand against slavery and promote social justice.

Review Questions

• How did the second great awakening influence the social reform movements of its time?
  • The second great awakening significantly impacted various social reform movements by promoting the idea that individuals could effect change through moral action. As people experienced emotional conversions and personal awakenings, they were inspired to address issues like abolition, temperance, and women's rights. This connection between personal faith and social responsibility led to organized efforts that sought to improve society based on religious principles.
• In what ways did the second great awakening change traditional practices within American Christianity?
  • The second great awakening shifted American Christianity from formal, traditional practices toward a more emotional and personal approach to faith. It emphasized individual conversion experiences over predestination beliefs common in earlier movements. This new focus attracted diverse groups of people and led to an increase in revival meetings where passionate preaching encouraged participants to pursue personal relationships with God.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the second great awakening on American society, particularly regarding race relations and civil rights.
  • The long-term effects of the second great awakening on American society were profound, especially concerning race relations and civil rights. By linking personal faith with moral imperatives such as abolitionism, it laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements by fostering a belief that equality was a divine principle. The revival's message inspired both white abolitionists and Black leaders to advocate for freedom and equality, setting important precedents for subsequent struggles for civil rights in America.

Related terms

Revivalism: A movement within Christianity that seeks to reawaken spiritual fervor and convert individuals through emotional preaching and communal worship.

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 slavery.

Camp Meetings: Large gatherings held during the second great awakening where people camped out to hear preachers deliver impassioned sermons, fostering communal worship and spiritual renewal.