Chapter 10 Notes APUSH

Counter Reactions to Change

  • Societal changes always spark counter reactions.

  • As society transitions away from traditional norms, there is a backlash aiming to preserve previous values.

  • The Second Great Awakening embodies the desire to maintain foundational societal values, established before the formation of the United States.

The Second Great Awakening

  • Emphasizes self-discipline and hard work, contributing to personal and community improvement.

  • Discussion of communal responsibilities, emphasizing sharing and mutual support.

  • Concerns regarding biases that can hinder societal progress, likening these to historical examples (e.g., Apple).

  • Acknowledgment of perceived moral decline in America, particularly regarding church attendance and traditional values.

Intellectual Flourishing

  • This period saw a surge in creativity and knowledge, notably in the arts, literature, and mathematics.

  • Transcendentalism emerged as a philosophical response during this flourishing of knowledge.

Transcendentalism and Nature

  • American writers began to redefine literature and art, exploring deeper interactions with their physical and spiritual surroundings.

  • Nature is viewed as the original creation and a medium to connect with the divine.

  • Emerson argues for a return to nature to rediscover God and universal truths.

Emerson and Civil Disobedience

  • Emerson advocates for civil disobedience, emphasizing the right to express and challenge societal norms.

  • He posits equality among men and women, criticizing societal constructs that perpetuate inequality.

  • Calls for community engagement to find connections and create harmonious societal interactions.

Analysis of Society

  • The narrative explores societal judgment and rigidity, highlighting flaws in moral behavior typical of the period.

  • Focus on the harsh judgment faced by individuals, particularly in scenarios like adultery, revealing societal hypocrisy.

Critique of So-called Perfect Societies

  • Exploration of utopian ideals, where communal living is promoted, echoing historical examples such as in the concept of communal ownership.

  • Discusses the risks and realities of pursuing an 'ideal' society, citing the complexities involved.

  • Examples of communal societies and their implications for individual ownership and freedom—such as Anne's vision of a revised divinity.

Conclusion

  • The recognition that despite yearning for an ideal world, the actual consequences of these movements and the critique of nature's duality (beauty vs. danger) shape societal development.

  • Awareness of resistance toward changes occurring during this transformative period in America.

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