Chapter 19: America’s “Second Great Religious Awakening” Triggers Social Reforms

1825

By 1820, the United States is an established global power and finally free from the threat of foreign invasions. As such the time is right to “look inward” to assess the moral health of the nation.

The result is a religious revival movement which sweeps across the country and rivals the First Awakening led in the 1730’s by Calvinist minister Jonathan Edwards. Its intent is to restore the Puritan’s commitment to a “shining city on a hill,” to reverse the social ills that have beset America and make its people again worthy of eternal salvation.

Evangelical ministers such as Presbyterian Charles Grandison Finney hold week-long open-air meetings” with spontaneous conversions to Christ and dedication to carrying out a range of missionary projects.

One of these being the abolition of slavery.