Second Great Awakening

Second Great Awakening

Impact of the Second Great Awakening

Like the Great Awakening of the 1700s, the Second Great Awakening, which occurred at the beginning of the 19th century, was a return to the Christian faith after many distanced themselves from the religion. However, the movement was different from the previous spiritual revival in the fact that it encouraged social reform rather than an open display of emotions.

According to Outline of American History, those who did not believe in traditional Christianity were impressed by the reverential silence in which the awakening and evangelizing occurred, at least in the East ("Second Great"). However, those who were awakened were done so socially, in addition to spiritually. Before the great revival, social issues with moral, spiritual, and ethical implications had been affecting the lives of concerned American citizens. The Awakening gave those experiencing these problems in the East a chance to band together for what was morally correct by Christian standards, including the forming of abolitionist groups and the temperance movement. Further, the East was mobilized by their newfound spirituality to engage in other socially responsible practices, such as caring for the ill and handicapped. Indeed, the Eastern awakening caused groups and societies to spring up that were characterized by their desire to do missionary work in the United States ("Second Great").