Religion and Reform 1812-1860

Second Great Awakening The Second Great Awakening was a Protestant revival movement during the early 19th century in the United States. Protestant preachers believed Americans had become immoral These preachers were known as ‘revivalists’ because they felt that religious participation had to be revived. Membership in the major Protestant churches—Congregational, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Methodist—soared The Methodist and Baptist churches became the two largest Protestant denominations in the U.S.

Second Great Awakening Movement began on the Kentucky frontier with itinerant preachers (circuit riders) such as Peter Cartwright in outdoor “camp meetings” (Cane Ridge Revival) Reached northeastern cities by 1820s Wealthier, better-educated levels of society were not as affected by revivalism (e.g. Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Congregationalists and Unitarians). Poorer communities in the rural South and West were the most affected by religious revivalism. The slavery issue split Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians along sectional lines. (The secession of southern churches foreshadowed the secession of southern states.)

Second Great Awakening Society during the Jacksonian era was undergoing rapid change Because of the uncertainty of the times reformers sought stability in religion Church-goers embraced the values of hard work, punctuality, and sobriety Revivals brought unity, strength and a sense of peace

Charles grandison Finney By the 1820s, the most famous revivalist preacher Preached passionately and used Evangelical style of worship Sermons designed to bring about strong emotions and convert people publically to Christianity Meeting night after night to build excitement Spoke bluntly; Prayed for sinners by name Encouraged women to testify in public Placed those struggling with conversion on the “anxious bench” at the front of the church

Lyman Beecher Traveled and urged people to read the Bible, join a church; In 1832, became president of Lane Technological Seminary in Cincinnati Many revivalists, like Beecher, preached of a new millennium, a thousand years of glory that would follow the second coming of Christ Believed that heaven through good works and helping others was possible Inspired people to become reformers, to make the world a better place in preparation for Christ returning

Burned over District Burned over district in Western NY got its name from a “wild fire of new religions” Charles Finney preached for 6 months in Rochester and helped 100,000 people convert The Millerites believed the 2nd coming of Christ would occur on October 22, 1843 Members sold belongings, bought white robes for the ascension into heaven Believers formed new church on October 23rd Gave birth to Seventh Day Adventists

Rise of African American Churches Revivalism also spread to the African American community During these revivals Baptists and Methodists converted large numbers of African Americans This led to the formation of all- black Methodist and Baptist churches, primarily in the North African Methodist Episcopal (A. M. E.) had over 17,000 members by 1846

Reformers pointed out the inequality in society The Age of Reform Reformers pointed out the inequality in society Primarily a Northern movement Southerners refused reforms to protect slavery Educated society through newspaper and lyceum meetings

The Second Great Awakening + Industrial Revolution + Cult of Domesticity=Social Reform Temperance Education Abolitionism Asylum & Prison Reform Women’s Rights