Strive for Perfection

Key Concepts: “The Second Great Awakening unleashed a cascade of reform during the 1820s and 1830s….Some reformers withdrew from everyday life to create utopian communities; others sought humanitarian reforms such as temperance, educational improvement, women’s rights, and—most disruptive to the political system—the abolition of slavery.”“The Second Great Awakening unleashed a cascade of reform during the 1820s and 1830s….Some reformers withdrew from everyday life to create utopian communities; others sought humanitarian reforms such as temperance, educational improvement, women’s rights, and—most disruptive to the political system—the abolition of slavery.”

2nd Great Awakening Revivalist religious movement that celebrated more free will and salvation for all; this supported the idea of individualism and equality Brought a way to unite all social groups that were unsettled by the Market Revolution (which had resulted in increasingly larger gaps in the wealthy and poor classes)

Romanticism Inspired by Great Awakening, Romanticism emphasized the importance of emotion and intuition as sources of truth Supported the unlimited potential of the individual, who can rise above restraints

Transcendentalism Supported the idea of the individual, and sought to rise above reason through spiritual communion with nature

Utopia Communities Search for perfect society - groups such as The Shakers, Brook Farm, Oneida Community, Mormons all tried to create the “perfect” society in which one shares ideas and community, and in many cases share the common bonds of religion

Other Movements: The Temperance MovementThe Temperance Movement –Attack on drinking by the American Temperance Society –Broad appeal of the temperance movement resulted in success Educational ReformEducational Reform –Common school movement - called for a tax- supported public education system that would promote equal opportunity –Increased prevalence of female education The Asylum MovementThe Asylum Movement –Dorothea Dix and care for the mentally ill

Abolitionism Group of radical thinkers that wanted slavery to end NOW - no talk of gradual emancipation, no support of colonization movement (return African- Americans back to Africa) Made slavery a moral issue, not just economic; to abolitionists, slavery was a sin

Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott Seneca Falls Convention: Supported EQUAL rights for men in women in education, professional careers, property rights, guardianship of children, and the right to vote

WIO: Strives for Perfection Draw two symbols that represent movements to find perfection in society. Then briefly explain your symbols.