USHISTORY Chapter 6

Test #1 study

Who was Ezra Stiles Ely

A guest pastor and religious reformer who supported connecting religion with legislation and supported closing post offices on Sundays to honor the Christian Sabbath

What was the Second Great Awakening

A period when many Americans attended revivals and camp meetings, and many joined or created new denominations

What were Tocqueville’s views of religion in the United States

He observed that religion thrived because it was voluntary and not controlled by the government — religion and government were separate

What were American religious practices in the late 1700s

Revivals, camp meetings, new denominations forming, people joining churches, religious participation growing

What does the Constitution and First Amendment say about religion and why

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” — protects religious freedom and prevents forced religion

What was Jefferson’s “wall of separation”

His interpretation of the First Amendment, meaning church and government should stay separate

What was the Founders’ goal regarding government and religion

Separation of church and state, no national church, no forcing of religion

Why is the Second Great Awakening so significant

It dramatically increased church membership, sparked religious enthusiasm, and led to the growth of new denominations

What were the characteristics of the US Postal System from 1776 to 1830

It connected distant communities, was a federal institution, and was open on Sundays

Why was the US Postal System important to people, religious leaders, and national societies

It spread news, ideas, and religious materials; religious leaders wanted Sunday closed to preserve the Sabbath

What is the key challenge for researchers studying this period

They must organize evidence carefully and figure out what each person was arguing (pro

What should you look for when reading sources

Whether the source supports keeping post offices open or closing them, and the main points of their arguments

What is notable about Source #7 (Zelotes Fuller)

He doesn’t mention “post office” directly, so you must infer his position from context

What was Andrew Jackson’s position on the Sunday Mail Controversy

He supported keeping post offices open on Sundays

What was Abraham Lincoln’s role in “the effort to legislate Christian beliefs”

He opposed efforts to legislate Christianity into law

What was Church of Holy Trinity v. United States (1885)

Supreme Court case where the Court ruled that America is a “Christian nation” in character (often cited in religion and law debates)

What was Cantwell v. Connecticut (1940)

Supreme Court case that incorporated the Free Exercise Clause to the states, protecting religious freedom under the 14th Amendment

What motivated closing the post office on Sundays in 1912

To respect the Christian Sabbath and respond to pressure from religious reformers