CH. 11 STUDENT NOTES

ANTEBELLUM AMERICA (PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR) Defined by several factors: Increased industrialization – market economy Westward Migration Remaking American Society- increased democratic spirit Belief in human perfectibility Birth and expansion of American culture: art, literature, philosophy

FACTORS TOWARD REFORM

THE STATE OF RELIGION T. Paine – The Age of Reason (1794-1796) Christianity “the strangest religion ever set up, “ for “it committed a murder upon Jesus in order to redeem mankind from the sin of eating an apple.” By 1790s only 10% identified with church – rise of Deism Spread of rationalism – 1779 1801 – evangelism/wave of revivalism on the rise

SECOND GREAT AWAKENING Religious revival increase in religious concern/conversions Gave rise to power of church Revivals took form in camp meetings – mainly on frontier and in the south Camps – lasted several days ~ 25,000 people Embrace the church – convulsions, fits, rolling in dirt, twitching “holy jerks” Thousands of people gathering for several days to participate in religious exercise and sermons Spread rapidly – new style of evangelism Erosion of old puritan and Calvinist beliefs MESSAGE – accept God into daily lives reject rationalism Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterians Popular mostly in South and West – LARGE conversions among slaves in south Rational/”freethinkers” shunned by success of evangelism

SECOND GREAT AWAKENING 1790s-1840s origins in NE but spread Democratized American Christianity Ordinary people encouraged to participate and spread belief in others Sectionalism NE – Universalists; Unitarians (new) South – Methodists; Baptists (old) ****Attracted more women than men = women facilitated reform

SECOND GREAT AWAKENING Methodist most successful 1 million members by 1844 Religion came from the heart not the head Young men preached across the country Raise the moral standards of individuals Unitarians Critics of revivalists JC less than fully divine Wealthy/educated New Englanders Moral goodness should be gained through character building, not emotional attachment to church

“BURNED-OVER” DISTRICT A region prone to religious awakenings due to rapid change caused by economic transformation, population influx NY filled with Puritans Charles G. Finney Presbyterian minister that performed revivals around NY

THE MORMONS The most controversial denomination that emerged Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1830 - Joseph Smith, 25, NY Founded golden inscribed with Christian history, translated them, and published as Book of Mormon – all other denominations wrong Appeal was that it was one truth – spread west Criticized for beliefs and practices (polygamy) and intense secrecy – in search of a place of acceptance Illinois, J. Smith arrested for treason Mob shot and killed him Brigham Young, and 12,000 followers, settled in UTAH! Great Salt Lake – they still live there!

PERFECTION IN COMMUNAL LIVING Utopian societies – reaction to urban growth and industry; attempt to SEPARATE and PROTECT themselves from chaos and disorder Improve one’s self Community and withdrawal

Utopian Communities

UTOPIAN ASPIRATIONS The Shakers – founded by “Mother” Ann Lee 1780s – named after ritual where they, you guessed it, shake Goal – become self-sufficient Commitment to celibacy Attracted more women than men (obviously, did you read the above commitment) Sexual equality Women exercised most power Marriage is a perversion

UTOPIAN ASPIRATIONS Oneida Community – 1848 NY by John Humphrey Noyes Oneida “Perfectionists” “married” to all in community Monitored sexual behavior Advocated protection of women from unwanted pregnancy Children raised communally

Oneida John Humphrey Noyes “Complex marriage” & “free love” Artisans Oneida Company