America began to see true social reform in the nineteenth century, and much of the desire for an improve life came from religious movements. Early reform movements expanded from the Second Great Awakening, a period of religious revival mainly among Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians. The Awakening itself began in Western New York and quickly spread throughout the US, igniting a period of evangelicalism in both the South and the West. A couple reform societies sprang up in the South and in the West, but it was in the Northeast that the Second Great Awakening formed many societies dedicated to saving humanity from its rash and unpredictable impulses.
Camp meetings, arranged by varying religious groups, became a normal part of religious life in the South and Midwest. These meetings provided a sort of emotional outlet for the rural people whose lives could be described as lonely and repetitive. In the South, Baptists eventually got rid of the camp meetings in favor of meeting in churches, which allowed for guest preachers to be involved in the expansion …show more content…
The Founding Fathers left behind this legacy of freedom and equality, most directly stated in the Declaration of Independence. At this point in history, “We the People” still only included white men. One of the reasons the Second Great Awakening was such a turning point was the efforts to advocate many social and political changes. Some of these movements were designed to prohibit alcoholic drinks, increase education for the public, support women’s rights, or even prohibit war. One of the most important reform movements was the Abolition movement which essentially called for an immediate end to slavery. Simply by stressing that individuals were in control of their own free will and that salvation was available for all human beings, the Second Great Awakening portrayed an optimistic view for the future of
Camp meetings, arranged by varying religious groups, became a normal part of religious life in the South and Midwest. These meetings provided a sort of emotional outlet for the rural people whose lives could be described as lonely and repetitive. In the South, Baptists eventually got rid of the camp meetings in favor of meeting in churches, which allowed for guest preachers to be involved in the expansion …show more content…
The Founding Fathers left behind this legacy of freedom and equality, most directly stated in the Declaration of Independence. At this point in history, “We the People” still only included white men. One of the reasons the Second Great Awakening was such a turning point was the efforts to advocate many social and political changes. Some of these movements were designed to prohibit alcoholic drinks, increase education for the public, support women’s rights, or even prohibit war. One of the most important reform movements was the Abolition movement which essentially called for an immediate end to slavery. Simply by stressing that individuals were in control of their own free will and that salvation was available for all human beings, the Second Great Awakening portrayed an optimistic view for the future of