Religion And Society During The Second Great Awakening

During the 1800s, a drastic religious revival swept across the United States. Much change and reform took place within the nation that shifted the character of American religion and culture. The beliefs and religious views of the 1800s helped influence the American identity today. Religion in the 1800s led to a revolution that had far-reaching effects on the U.S. that allowed it to assert its beliefs that have impacted society today. The different types of religious mindsets that developed throughout the nation included deism, the belief in god through reason and observation of nature. As well as unitarianism, a type of belief that arose the search for inherent goodness in people and embrace reason over scripture. Universalism also came about

The Second Great Awakening occurred as a result of the fear that secularism was on the rise and felt that these emerging beliefs had threatened their religions in some aspects (Palmer). During the Second Great Awakening, preachers would travel in an attempt to make salvation available to people in the frontier that did not have churches. Revival meetings often took place which helped unify the people through shared beliefs and gave opportunities for potential conversions for non-believers (Palmer). As a result of the Awakening, a strong desire to reform the nation arose. The Second Great Awakening saw the emergence of Transcendentalism, a philosophical movement that emphasised the dignity of the individual and the celebration of nature and life. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau are two well known transcendentalist authors who significantly

As well as unitarianism, a type of belief that arose the search for inherent goodness in people and embrace reason over scripture. Universalism also came about during this period which was, the belief in salvation for all people not just a chosen few (Palmer). Some of these beliefs were able to meld with the other prominent religions at the time, however they also challenged their beliefs. The Second Great Awakening occurred as a result of the fear that secularism was on the rise and felt that these emerging beliefs had threatened their religions in some aspects (Palmer). During the Second Great Awakening, preachers would travel in an attempt to make salvation available to people in the frontier that did not have churches. Revival meetings often took place which helped unify the people through shared beliefs and gave opportunities for potential conversions for non-believers (Palmer). As a result of the Awakening, a strong desire to reform the nation arose. The Second Great Awakening saw the emergence of Transcendentalism, a philosophical movement that emphasised the dignity of the individual and the celebration of nature and life. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau are two well known transcendentalist authors who significantly influenced and encouraged non-conformity and for people to follow their own beliefs.