Second Great Awakening Research Paper

In the 19th century, American society was characterized by an ardent religious revivalism that took the form of movements such as the Second Great Awakening which had a heavy emphasis on personal salvation and reform. This coincided with a period of widespread activism aimed at addressing pressing social issues such as gender inequality and racial hierarchies. These campaigns marked the first reform movements that would advocate for abolitionism, women’s rights, and religious individuality. Religious and reform movements such as the Women’s rights movement, abolitionism, and the Second Great Awakening catalyzed a cultural transformation that challenged prevailing norms such as traditional gender roles, the institution of slavery, and orthodox protestant beliefs. Furthermore, these movements promoted …show more content…
His yearning for a lone religious connection along with him taking accountability for the betterment of his morality embodies the spirit of individualism that was promoted in America through the Second Great Awakening. This individualistic principle has influenced America's approach to religion for decades, which is evident in landmark Supreme Court rulings like Engel v. Vitale (1962), which emphasized the importance of individual religious freedom and the separation of church and state. Furthermore, the emphasis on morality that coincided with the Second Great Awakening also helped influence other reform movements of the time, notably the Abolitionist movement. The abolitionist movement challenged the place of African Americans in the social hierarchy and pushed for greater equality and autonomy for African Americans. This movement was characterized by its relentless pursuit of ending the institution of slavery through a variety of methods, everything from moral persuasion to violence. It emerged as a force that challenged the existing social hierarchy which allowed African Americans to be

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