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The SECOND Great Awakening [APUSH Review Unit 4 Topic 10] Period 4: 1800-1848
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The SECOND Great Awakening [APUSH Review Unit 4 Topic 10] Period 4: 1800-1848

What Were the Causes of the Second Great Awakening?

Definition and Overview

  • The Second Great Awakening was a series of religious revivals among Protestant Christians emphasizing righteous living, personal restraint, and moral rectitude leading to salvation.
  • This revival spread rapidly across America, primarily through Methodists and Baptists who organized emotionally charged camp meetings.

Key Causes of the Second Great Awakening

1. Influence of the Market Revolution

  • The messages from the Second Great Awakening mirrored those of the Market Revolution, where individuals learned that economic success depended on their own efforts. Salvation was similarly portrayed as being within one's control through hard work and dedication.

2. Democratic and Individualistic Beliefs

  • There was a rising desire for broader participation in America's democratic process during this period, particularly among lower classes without land ownership. This impulse extended to spiritual desires, making the movement inclusive of various demographics including whites, blacks (both enslaved and free), men, and women.

3. Shift from Rationalism to Romanticism

  • A cultural shift occurred favoring emotional experiences over rational thought; people sought emotional engagement rather than intellectual discourse in their spirituality. Preaching styles evolved accordingly from structured philosophical sermons to more emotionally driven messages aimed at awakening feelings in listeners.

Notable Figures and Their Impact

Charles Grandison Finney

  • Finney introduced a new style of preaching characterized by emotional appeal rather than cerebral focus; his sermons were audience-centered using plain language accessible to common people.
Playlists: APUSH Unit 4
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GET FOLLOW-ALONG NOTEGUIDES for this video: https://bit.ly/3NUwwmj AP HEIMLER REVIEW GUIDE (formerly known as the Ultimate Review Packet): +APUSH Heimler Review Guide: https://bit.ly/44p4pRL +AP Essay CRAM Course (DBQ, LEQ, SAQ Help): https://bit.ly/3XuwaWN +Bundle Heimler Review Guide and Essay CRAM Course: https://bit.ly/46tjbZo HEIMLER’S HISTORY MERCH! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_bOoi0e3L3SJ1xx5TZWHPw/store Instagram: @heimlers_history For more videos on APUSH Unit 4, check out the playlist: https://bit.ly/36YwqoQ In this video Heimler takes you through Unit 4 Topic 10 of the AP U.S. History curriculum which is set in period 4 (1800-1848). In part due to the societal changes brought on by the Market Revolution, the population of the early American republic was ripe for a Second Great Awakening. Thanks to the efforts of Methodist and Baptist preachers who organized camp meetings in which multiple preachers preached to crowds throughout the days, the next major Christian revival in America took hold. But the Second Great Awakening was different from the first. The emphasis here was more about the moral reformation of society, and thanks to preachers like Charles Finney, that message became very attractive to the mass of American citizens who, under this influence, spawned societal reformation movements. If you have any questions, leave them below and Heimler shall answer forthwithly. This video is aligned with the AP U.S. History Curriculum and Exam Description for Unit 4 Topic 10, and all the key concepts thereunto appertaining.