Religious Revivalism and Utopian Idealism

What was the main idea of The Great Awakening? Unit 1

Second Great Awakening 1797 – 1859 The Second Great Awakening began among frontier farmers of Kentucky Spread quickly among Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians Central ideas: Christians have a moral duty to improve the world in which they live; entrance to Heaven is gained through acts of faith

Tent Revivals During the Awakening, traveling ministers would set up tents and preach, often for up to a week at a time Singing, prayers, motivational sermons, and speaking in tongues were all designed to whip up the crowd into emotional protestations of faith

Charles G. Finney 1792 – 1875 Revivalist Presbyterian minister Allowed women to participate in public prayer (not a normal practice at the time) Preached that everyone has the ability to gain salvation through repentance and good works that demonstrate faith in God Planned and rehearsed his revival sermons

Lyman Beecher 1775 – 1863 Revivalist Presbyterian minister Father of author Harriet Beecher Stowe (Uncle Tom’s Cabin) Preached that citizens, not government, have to be responsible for building a better society Strongly nativist (anti-immigrant) and anti-Catholic

“Cult of Domesticity” Also called “True Womanhood” Belief at the time was that a woman’s responsibility was to be a homemaker and a model of Christian piety and virtue to their children and husband This implied that wives were their husbands’ social equals and their moral superiors Women interpreted this to mean that they had the responsibility to build a moral society in which to raise their families, so they assumed a role of social activism

Revivalism and Abolition Most revivalist ministers were staunch supporters of the abolitionist (anti-slavery) movement They taught that slavery was sinful because it destroys the soul of the master and the body of the slave

The 2nd Great Awakening creates New American Religious Groups

The Unitarian Church Believe Jesus was not the Son of God, but was an important teacher – there was no Virgin Birth, no miracles, and no Resurrection God is a unity (God is One), not a Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

The Universalist Church Believe in Universal salvation – there is no Hell and God redeems everyone because He loves everyone (Omni-benevolence) God would not create a person knowing that they were doomed to eternal damnation

The Mormon Church The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Started in New York, but were the victims of harassment and persecution over their unique religious beliefs, including the addition of a third testament to the Bible (The Book of Mormon) and practice of polygamy (having multiple wives) After leaving New York, the group eventually resettled in Illinois

Joseph Smith 1805 – 1844 Founder of Mormonism and recorder of The Book of Mormon – which he claimed to have received from an angel – which describes how the Israelites arrived in America around 600 BC and were later visited by Jesus Had numerous legal problems in Missouri and Illinois which eventually led to his arrest Murdered by an anti-Mormon mob in 1844 while awaiting trial

Brigham Young 1801 – 1877 President of the Mormon church from 1847 -1877 After Smith’s death, he led the Mormons west to the remote Utah Territory to escape persecution, founding Salt Lake City, which remains the unofficial “capital” of the Church today Had 55 wives, but most were widows he married in order to become financially responsible for them and their children

What is another word for a “perfect” society? The desire to create a “perfect” society will result in new communities What is another word for a “perfect” society?

Utopian Communities Attempts to establish social equality by building communities where all work, responsibilities and rewards are shared equally by the citizens

New Harmony, Indiana Town which was bought in 1824 by a utopian group with the intention of transforming it into a perfect socialist community No private property, no money were allowed The community failed and was dissolved in 1829

Oneida Community, NY Founded by John Noyes in 1848 in Oneida, NY; lasted until 1881 All members of the community worked in a factory making silverware (Oneida Flatware) Every man was married to every woman in the community (a practice called complex marriage) Older women introduced young men to sex, while older men did the same for young women Efforts were made to breed more perfect children by careful selection of breeding partners; children were then raised by the community rather than by specific parents Community only reached a maximum size of about 300, but still managed to produce two men who would later assassinate US presidents!

Brook Farm Community Founded in 1841, near west Roxbury, MA Community of Transcendentalist philosophers Citizens shared all labor, and used their free time for intellectual discussion Community collapsed economically after being destroyed by fire in 1847

Shakers The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing Founded by Ann Lee (who Shakers believed to be the Second Appearing of Christ) in England; offshoot of the Quakers No marriage allowed, lifelong celibacy required Shakers would adopt orphans to keep communities alive All work and living quarters were divided by sex, but the sexes were equals Peaked in mid 1800s with about 6000 members, today only 3 known practitioners in the US

Utopian Communities Part 1: What would be the characteristics of YOUR perfect society? Make a list explaining at least 3 different traits/ideas you believe are necessary for a society to reach perfection.

Utopian Communities Part 2: Is it possible to create a Utopian Society? Why or why not? If yes, how would you achieve your specific goals? If not: What specific challenges or barriers would prevent you from creating your society? ½ Page Minimum

Utopian Society Is it possible to create a Utopian Society? Why or why not? Explain What would be the characteristics of YOUR perfect society? Explain 3 different traits/ideas you believe are necessary for a society to reach perfection? Minimum ½ page

Utopian Society Frederick Douglas Is it possible to create a Utopian Society? Why or why not? What would be the characteristics of YOUR perfect society? Explain 3 different traits/ideas you believe are necessary for a society to reach perfection? Minimum ½ page Read Douglas’ speech “What to the slave is the 4th of July” which can be accessed on my website. After reading the speech, complete a soapstone analysis. Lastly, respond to the prompt at the end of the document. Be sure to provide textual evidence in your answer. Minimum ½ page