The renowned Protestant spiritual resurgence movement known as the Second Great Awakening affected the American culture tremendously. However, this resurgence that spanned about five decades from 1790s to the 1840s is most notable for transforming the very character of the religious culture in the country (Appleby, Cheng, & Goodwin, 2002). Congregationalists, Anglicans, and Quakers were the major denominations at the Revolution’s beginning. However, the world witnessed the Baptists and Evangelists as the most dominant religious groups by the 1800 (Ruben & Casper, 2013).
The Second Great Awakening was undoubtedly a triumphant movement that introduced novel organizational methods by evangelical churches. As the nation went through significant social changes, new settlements emerged at the frontier. As a result, nomadic preachers were employed by the evangelical churches for approaching large areas. Thus, the need of a recognized minister diminished with the employment of itinerant preachers. In addition, ordinary people were given significant positions to perform important executive and religious roles within the congregations organized under evangelists. Another profound effect of The Second Great Awakening was the emphasis on the human capabilities for transforming their conditions and situations. Previously, religious groups in America emphasized believers to depend on God’s grace. However, the concept of FREE WILL introduced and stressed by The Second Great Awakening suggested that every human being can attain salvation. Furthermore, “the founding of missionary, education, tract, and Bible societies as well as moral-reform groups promoting temperance and chastity and opposing gambling and other vices” (Ruben & Casper, 2013) were the absolute direct consequences of the Second Great Awakening.
In short, the Second Great Awakening held a greater hopeful, buoyant, and positive approach concerning the abilities and conditions of human being.
References
Appleby, J. O., Cheng, E. K., & Goodwin, J. L. (2002). Encyclopedia of women in American history. Armonk, NY: Sharpe Reference.
Rubin, J. S., & Casper, S. E. (2013). The Oxford encyclopedia of American cultural and intellectual history. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
