Glossary
Abolition
The social and political movement dedicated to ending slavery, which gained significant momentum and moral backing from the religious fervor of the Second Great Awakening.
Example:
The abolition movement was deeply intertwined with the Second Great Awakening, as many reformers viewed slavery as a profound moral sin.
Anxious Bench
A designated area at revival meetings where individuals considering conversion could sit to receive special attention and prayer from the preacher.
Example:
Those wrestling with their faith would often move to the anxious bench to receive direct guidance and encouragement from the evangelist.
Baptists
A Protestant denomination that experienced significant growth during the Second Great Awakening, known for their emphasis on adult baptism and congregational autonomy.
Example:
Baptists expanded rapidly, particularly in the South, by holding emotional camp meetings that appealed to common people.
Book of Mormon
A sacred scripture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, believed by adherents to be a historical record of ancient American civilizations and their interactions with God.
Example:
The Book of Mormon introduced new narratives and theological concepts that distinguished the Mormon faith from traditional Christianity.
Brigham Young
The successor to Joseph Smith who led the majority of Mormons on a mass migration to the Great Salt Lake Valley in Utah, establishing a thriving community there.
Example:
After Joseph Smith's death, Brigham Young skillfully guided the Mormon pioneers on their arduous journey to the American West.
Camp Meetings
Large, multi-day outdoor religious gatherings, common during the Second Great Awakening, characterized by emotional sermons, singing, and communal worship.
Example:
Thousands would gather at camp meetings, creating a powerful atmosphere of shared religious experience and conversion.
Charles Grandison Finney
A prominent evangelist during the Second Great Awakening, known for his innovative revival techniques and emphasis on individual free will.
Example:
Charles Grandison Finney captivated audiences with his passionate sermons, urging them to make a conscious decision for Christ.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)
A unique religious movement founded by Joseph Smith during the Second Great Awakening, seeking to restore what they believed was the original Christian church.
Example:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints faced significant persecution due to their distinctive beliefs and practices, leading to their migration westward.
Circuit Riders
Itinerant preachers, primarily Methodists, who traveled on horseback to deliver sermons and establish churches in remote frontier areas.
Example:
Circuit riders were instrumental in spreading the revival's message across vast, sparsely populated regions of the American frontier.
Free Will
The belief, championed by figures like Finney, that individuals have the power to choose salvation and overcome sin through their own actions.
Example:
Finney's sermons emphasized free will, empowering individuals to believe they could actively choose to be saved rather than being bound by fate.
Individualism
A belief system emphasizing the moral worth of the individual, promoting personal responsibility and self-reliance.
Example:
The emphasis on individualism during this period encouraged people to take personal responsibility for their salvation and their role in society.
Joseph Smith
The founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons), who claimed to have received divine revelations leading to the publication of the Book of Mormon.
Example:
Joseph Smith led his followers in establishing several communities before his death, which sparked a succession crisis within the nascent church.
Market Revolution
A period in the early 19th century characterized by significant economic changes, including industrialization, commercialization, and the expansion of markets, which influenced social and religious life.
Example:
The social dislocations caused by the Market Revolution led many to seek emotional solace and community in the fervent revivals of the Second Great Awakening.
Methodists
Another Protestant denomination that saw immense expansion during the Second Great Awakening, largely due to their use of circuit riders and camp meetings.
Example:
Methodists became one of the largest denominations in the U.S., with their circuit riders reaching remote frontier communities.
Original Sin
A theological doctrine stating that all humans are inherently sinful due to the disobedience of Adam and Eve.
Example:
Many preachers during the Second Great Awakening challenged the traditional Calvinist idea of original sin, arguing that people could choose to be free from sin.
Polygamy
The practice of having more than one spouse at the same time, which was authorized by Joseph Smith and became a controversial aspect of early Mormonism.
Example:
The practice of polygamy by some early Mormons led to widespread public condemnation and contributed to their persecution.
Predestination
The Calvinist belief that God has already determined who will be saved (the 'elect') and who will be damned, regardless of their actions.
Example:
The rejection of predestination meant that individuals felt empowered to actively seek salvation rather than believing their fate was already sealed.
Protracted Meetings
Extended religious services, often lasting several days or even weeks, used by evangelists to intensify spiritual experiences and encourage conversions.
Example:
During protracted meetings, attendees would often stay for days, experiencing intense emotional sermons and communal prayer.
Second Great Awakening
A widespread religious revival in the United States during the early 19th century, characterized by increased emotionalism and a focus on personal salvation.
Example:
The Second Great Awakening led to a surge in church membership and inspired numerous social reform movements across the country.
Social Reform
Organized movements aimed at improving society and addressing perceived injustices, often fueled by religious fervor during the Second Great Awakening.
Example:
The religious enthusiasm of the era directly contributed to various social reform efforts, including the movements for abolition and temperance.
Temperance
A social reform movement advocating for the moderation or complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages, often driven by religious and moral arguments during the Second Great Awakening.
Example:
The temperance movement gained widespread support from women and religious groups who saw alcohol as a destroyer of families and society.