The Second Great Awakening

The Second Great Awakening: A Night-Before Review 🌟

Hey! Let's get you totally prepped for your APUSH exam with a super-focused review of the Second Great Awakening. We'll make sure you're not just memorizing facts, but understanding the big picture. Let's dive in!

🔗 Overview

🔗 Change in Beliefs

🔗 Charles Grandison Finney

🔗 Legacy of the Second Great Awakening

🔗 Baptists and Methodists

🔗 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)

🔗 Final Exam Focus

🔗 Practice Questions

Overview

The Second Great Awakening was a HUGE religious revival in the early 1800s (roughly 1790-1840s). It wasn't just about religion; it reshaped American society, politics, and culture. Think of it as a spiritual shake-up that fueled social reforms! 💡

• Key Dates: Roughly 1790 - late 1840s
• Main Idea: A surge in religious fervor, especially among Baptists and Methodists.
• Impact: Led to new denominations, social reforms, and a more emotional approach to religion.

Change in Beliefs

This era saw a big shift in how people viewed their relationship with God and the world. It was all about personal experience and individual responsibility, moving away from older, stricter doctrines.

• Rise of Individualism: People started believing they had a say in government and their churches. Ministers needed to connect with the people on a personal level.
• Rejection of Calvinism: Traditional ideas like original sin (everyone is born sinful) and predestination (God has already decided who's saved) were challenged. *

* * **Emphasis on Emotion:** The Market Revolution made work less personal, so people sought emotional connections in their faith.

Charles Grandison Finney

This guy was the rockstar preacher of the Second Great Awakening. He was all about personal choice and actively working towards perfection. He was a game-changer!

Image Courtesy of Connecticut History

• Free Will: Finney taught that sin was a choice, not a predetermined fate. Everyone had the power to be free of sin. This was a HUGE departure from Calvinism.
• Social Reform: He wasn't just about personal salvation; he was a big advocate for social justice, speaking out against slavery and for women's rights. He believed women could play a key role in converting their families.
• New Methods: Finney used some pretty intense techniques to get people to convert:
  • Protracted Meetings: All-night or multi-day services.
  • Anxious Bench: A special place for those considering conversion to receive attention.
  • Public Prayer: Encouraged women to pray publicly for their male relatives.

The Legacy of the Second Great Awakening

The Second Great Awakening left a lasting mark on the US, influencing everything from religion to social activism.

• Religious Impact:
  • Increased church membership and new denominations.
  • Shifted towards a more emotional and personal religious experience.
  • Influenced later movements like Pentecostalism and the Holiness movement.
• Social Reform:
  • Unlike the First Great Awakening, this one sparked major social reforms.
  • Religious groups led movements like abolition and temperance.
  • Many social reformers were also religious leaders.
• Educational Growth:
  • Led to the creation of new colleges and universities.
  • Promoted education and literacy, contributing to the growth of the middle class.

Baptists and Methodists

These two denominations were the big winners of the Second Great Awakening. They grew like crazy, especially in the South and on the frontier.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

• Circuit Riders: Methodist preachers like Peter Cartwright traveled from town to town, holding dramatic revivals and camp meetings. This was crucial for reaching people in remote areas.
• Camp Meetings: These were super emotional outdoor events, often organized by Baptists or Methodists. They were a big deal in the South, where it was hard to have regular churches.
• Shifting Religious Landscape: The growth of Baptists and Methodists led to a decline in membership for older denominations like Congregationalists and Presbyterians.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons)

Founded by Joseph Smith, the Mormon Church is a unique product of this era. It highlights the intense religious experimentation of the time.

• Joseph Smith: Claimed to have received divine revelations, leading to the publication of the Book of Mormon. *

* **Restoration of Pure Religion:** Smith aimed to restore the original Christian faith in America and establish a western Zion. * **Early Communities:** Mormons established communities in Ohio and Missouri, but faced persecution and mob violence. * **Polygamy:** Smith's authorization of polygamy led to major controversy. * **Brigham Young:** After Smith's death, Young led the Mormons to the Great Salt Lake, establishing a new home for the faith.

Final Exam Focus

Okay, time to lock in what's most important for the exam. Remember, the APUSH exam loves to connect different concepts, so keep that in mind!

• Key Themes: The rise of democracy and individualism, reactions against rationalism, and the impact of the Market Revolution.

* **Major Figures:** Know Charles Grandison Finney and Joseph Smith. * **Impact:** Be able to discuss the religious, social, and educational impacts of the movement. * **Connections:** Link the Second Great Awakening to other reform movements like abolition and temperance.

Practice Questions

Let's test your knowledge with some practice questions!

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The Second Great Awakening was characterized by all of the following EXCEPT: (A) an emphasis on personal conversion (B) a decline in the authority of established churches (C) increased emotionalism in religious services (D) a renewed commitment to Calvinist doctrines

2. Charles Grandison Finney is best known for his: (A) promotion of predestination (B) opposition to social reform (C) emphasis on individual free will (D) support for the established church

3. Which of the following best describes the role of women in the Second Great Awakening? (A) They were excluded from religious leadership positions. (B) They played a key role in converting their families and communities. (C) They primarily focused on domestic duties and did not participate in religious activities. (D) They were discouraged from public prayer and religious gatherings.

Short Answer Question

Briefly explain how the Second Great Awakening contributed to the development of social reform movements in the antebellum United States.

Free Response Question

Analyze the extent to which the Second Great Awakening changed American society between 1800 and 1860. In your response, be sure to address the religious, social, and cultural impacts of the movement.

FRQ Scoring Breakdown

• Thesis: (1 point) A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt.
• Argument Development: (2 points) Provides specific historical evidence to support the thesis and connects the Second Great Awakening to societal changes.
• Analysis: (2 points) Explains how and why the Second Great Awakening led to specific religious, social, and cultural changes.
• Synthesis: (1 point) Connects the Second Great Awakening to other relevant historical contexts (e.g., the First Great Awakening, other reform movements).

You've got this! You're ready to rock the APUSH exam. Remember to stay calm, manage your time wisely, and trust your knowledge. Good luck! 🚀