Second Great Awakening

The Second Great Awakening was a major American Protestant revival from the late 18th to early 19th century (roughly 1795-1835), characterized by emotional evangelism, democratic ideals, and mass conversions, leading to the rise of new religious movements, increased social activism like the abolitionist movement, and empowerment for marginalized groups, including women and African Americans. Key features included frontier camp meetings, the rise of circuit riders, and a rejection of strict, Calvinist predestination in favor of free will and personal responsibility for salvation.
Key Characteristics

• Emotional & Democratic Religion: The movement emphasized emotional experiences, personal conversion, and a rejection of established, rigid religious doctrines in favor of more democratic, populist forms of faith that extended to all classes, races, and genders.
• Camp Meetings & Circuit Riders: Revivals on the frontier were often large, emotional gatherings known as camp meetings, where circuit riders (itinerant preachers) would travel to convert people to evangelical Christianity.
• Reform Movements: The spiritual fervor of the Second Great Awakening fueled a wave of social and moral reform movements, particularly the Abolitionist Movement against slavery, as people sought to create a more righteous society.
• New Denominations: The emphasis on individual choice and spiritual autonomy during the Awakening led to the formation of new religious groups, including independent Black churches like the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which provided community and a base for anti-slavery activism.

Key Figures & Locations

• Evangelists: Figures like Charles Grandison Finney championed the idea of voluntary conversion and led massive revival meetings, with some areas experiencing such intense spiritual fervor that they became known as “Burned-Over Districts”.
• Geographic Spread: The revival was particularly strong in western areas like Kentucky and Tennessee with early camp meetings, and later in New England, where leaders like Timothy Dwight and Lyman Beecher influenced urban revivals.

Social & Cultural Impact

• Empowerment of Marginalized Groups: The message of spiritual equality and freedom resonated deeply with African Americans, empowering them to form their own churches and take leadership roles in the struggle against slavery.
• Increased Role for Women: Women became more involved in religious life, serving as missionaries and preachers, and finding in religion a way to gain influence and escape the isolation of domestic life.
• Shaping American Identity: The Second Great Awakening significantly reshaped American religious life and society by fostering a culture of widespread religious participation, individual responsibility, and a commitment to social reform.