The Second Great Awakening - part 3

The Second Great Awakening and Its Impact

Overview of the Second Great Awakening

• The Second Great Awakening was a period of religious revival in early 19th century America, peaking between 1820 and 1840.

• This movement arose in response to societal changes, including shifts in business relations and the expansion of democracy and territory.

Key Outcomes of the Second Great Awakening

• Two major outcomes were new religious movements and significant reform movements, notably abolitionism, which contributed to the Civil War.

• The awakening emphasized creating "heaven on earth" and promoted a more democratic approach to religion, allowing personal relationships with God for all individuals regardless of background.

New Religious Movements

• Numerous new American religions emerged during this time; some persist today while others have faded away.

• Shakers: A community that practiced celibacy and ecstatic worship through circle dances but eventually dwindled due to their celibate lifestyle. They were known as Shakers because of their expressive worship style.

• Oneida Community: Founded by John Humphrey Noyes, they advocated for "complex marriage," promoting free love without individual attachments or marriages. Their unique practices centered around communal living and sexual freedom.

• Mormons: Founded by Joseph Smith after he claimed to receive divine revelations leading to The Book of Mormon; faced persecution but established a strong community under Brigham Young in Utah despite challenges like polygamy.

Influence on Reform Movements

• The Second Great Awakening significantly influenced various 19th-century reform movements:

• Temperance Movement: Aimed at reducing alcohol consumption as it was seen as detrimental to family stability and societal health, aligning with the idea of creating a godly society.

• Abolitionist Movement: Rooted in the belief that all lives are equally valuable; motivated by faith, activists campaigned against slavery viewing it as morally wrong and contrary to God's teachings about salvation for all souls. Harriet Beecher Stowe's work exemplified this connection between faith and activism against slavery.

The Interconnection of Religion, Politics, and Society

The Complexity of Historical Context

• The wave of religious revival during this period was intricately linked to economic and political changes, illustrating the difficulty in categorizing historical events into distinct boxes such as politics, religion, culture, and economics.

• These interconnected elements formed a larger cultural framework within which individuals navigated their daily lives, highlighting the complexity of societal dynamics.

• Historians have varying interpretations regarding the reasons behind the increased interest in religion during this time; some suggest it was a means to control people for an industrial workforce.

• Others propose that demographic and political shifts influenced who held power and wealth, affecting public engagement with religion.

• The Second Great Awakening aimed at improving America and creating a better world led to significant social movements and transformations.