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The Second Great Awakening

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The Second Great Awakening
AP US History

In the early to mid 1800s, change grasped America in a way that it only had once before; another religious revival. The Second Great Awakening was a tidal wave of spirituality that quickly revolutionized America. While the first Great Awakening renewed interest in religion, the Second Great Awakening introduced new and original theology. Though, both Great Awakenings widened boundaries between classes and regions. Denominations were conceived based on personal beliefs like woman’s rights, slavery, and whether or not alcohol is acceptable. Liberalism became a vast part of everyday life as people decided that it was time to express their beliefs. The Second Great Awakening accelerated change through contemporary religions, higher education, and general culture.
Spirituality was one of the most dominant parts of The Second Great Awakening. Christianity disseminated as religions like Methodist, Baptist, and the Unitarian faith manifested in America. The religions listed spread through the use of prominent camp meetings. People who were Methodist or Baptist stressed personal conversion, democracy in church affairs, and emotionalism. The Unitarian Faith believed that god existed in only one person, not in the orthodox trinity. They also believed in free will. People like Peter Cartwright and Charles Grandison Finney led masses of people to believe in different thoughts and ideas that they may not have considered before. They evoked emotional enlightenment and a new take on religious freedom. These religions influenced reforms that promoted rights for women, celibacy, rule by profit, and a large amount of other reforms. They also inspired a new perspective on education and its importance.
Education became an increasingly critical subject as time passed. Free public education started in 1828 and later it was innovated by Horace Mann. Mann is known as the “Father of Public Education”. Other important Educators were Noah Webster and William H.

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