Second Great Awakening Notes

Second Great Awakening

Introduction

This video addresses the causes of the Second Great Awakening, which occurred during the period of 1800-1848 (Unit 4 of the AP U.S. History curriculum).

Definition

The Second Great Awakening was a series of religious revivals among Protestant Christians. It emphasized:

  • Righteous living
  • Personal restraint
  • Strong moral rectitude, leading to personal and societal salvation

Spread of the Revival

The revival spread rapidly throughout America, similar to the First Great Awakening, through:

  • Methodists and Baptists
  • Camp meetings: These meetings involved multiple preachers speaking with great emotion over several days.

Causes of the Second Great Awakening

1. The Market Revolution

The messages of the Second Great Awakening and the Market Revolution were similar:

  • Market Revolution: Economic success or failure was in the hands of the individual. Hard work and dedication led to success.
  • Second Great Awakening: Salvation was in the hands of the individual. Reforming one's life, doing justice, and controlling impulses led to salvation.

This contrasts with the First Great Awakening, where Calvinist preachers like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield believed that salvation was determined by God alone, irrespective of good works.

2. Rising Democratic and Individualistic Beliefs
  • There was a growing desire for broader participation in America’s democratic process, especially among the lower classes who owned no land.
  • This impulse extended to spiritual desires; the Second Great Awakening largely involved the lower classes.
  • Camp meetings were egalitarian, including whites, blacks (enslaved and free), men, and women as equal members.
3. Rejection of Rationalism in Favor of Romanticism

  • Romanticism championed emotional reality over rational reality. People wanted to prioritize feelings over thinking.

  • First Great Awakening preaching (e.g., Jonathan Edwards) was philosophical and structured, requiring listeners to think critically.

    • By contrast, Charles Grandison Finney, a key preacher in the Second Great Awakening, pioneered a new, emotionally driven preaching style.

      • Less cerebral and more audience-centered sermons.
      • Plain language and relatable metaphors for common people.
      • Emphasis on moral reformation of society rather than just personal salvation. His message emphasized not so much personal salvation, but the moral reformation of society.

Impact

The Second Great Awakening led to widespread conversions and a focus on societal reform, which spurred movements like:

  • Temperance movement
  • New religious movements, such as Mormonism