Overview
The lecture covers the Second Great Awakening, a major religious revival in early 19th-century America, its main figures, practices, and its impact on social reform.
Origins and Context
- The Second Great Awakening began around 1790 and lasted until about 1840.
- It arose as a response to the rise of science, rationalism, and religious liberalism in the United States.
- Yale College, previously seen as secular, became a center of revival under President Timothy Dwight.
Beliefs and Practices
- The movement emphasized God as compassionate and merciful, desiring salvation for all, rather than as wrathful.
- Camp meetings were a central feature, marked by intense displays like speaking in tongues and religious ecstasy.
- These mass gatherings inspired widespread enthusiasm and conversions across the country.
Key Figures
- Timothy Dwight, president of Yale, led revivals among students that helped spread the movement.
- Charles Grandison Finney, a Presbyterian minister, became known as the "father of modern revivalism."
- Peter Cartwright, a Methodist revivalist in the Midwest, baptized about 12,000 converts.
Impact and Legacy
- The movement increased membership across Christian denominations and led to the creation of new ones, such as Baptists and Methodists.
- The Awakening inspired reform movements, including anti-slavery, women's suffrage, and temperance.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Second Great Awakening — Early 19th-century American religious revival marked by widespread enthusiasm and reform.
- Camp Meetings — Large outdoor religious gatherings featuring preaching, conversions, and emotional displays.
- Temperance — Movement advocating reduction or prohibition of alcohol consumption.
- Revivalism — Renewed religious fervor characterized by public meetings and conversions.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the causes and effects of the Second Great Awakening.
- Prepare to discuss the movement’s role in social reforms for the next class.