The Second Great Awakening was a powerful wave of religious revivalism that swept across the United States roughly between 1795 and 1840. It wasn’t just a spiritual movement—it reshaped American society, politics, and culture in profound ways.
Key Features
- Evangelical fervor: Preachers emphasized personal salvation and emotional conversion experiences.
- Camp meetings: Large outdoor religious gatherings, especially on the frontier, drew thousands.
- Democratization of religion: It empowered ordinary people, including women and African Americans, to take active roles in religious life.
- Major Figures
- Charles Grandison Finney: A leading evangelist known for his dramatic revival meetings and emphasis on free will.
- Lyman Beecher: A prominent preacher and reformer.
- Timothy Dwight: President of Yale and a key intellectual force behind the movement.
- Social Impact
- Rise of new denominations: Methodists and Baptists grew rapidly.
- Reform movements: Inspired efforts like abolitionism, temperance, and women’s rights.
- Education: Led to the founding of colleges and seminaries to train ministers and missionaries.
- Regional Influence
- Especially strong in the Midwest and Northeast, including the “Burned-Over District” of western New York—a hotbed of religious experimentation and reform
Lesson Learning 