SAT History Cultural Trends to 1860

Religion Since the Revolution, America became more secular (less religious) This was due to educated Americans agreeing with the Enlightenment (which favored logic, reason and science over religion) In the 1800’s, America had the Second Great Awakening

Enlightenment vs. Religion Rationalism – religious beliefs should not be simply accepted as faith, but should be acquired through investigation and personal reflection God is proven through the work of Nature, which hinted at a Creator Deists—where the Bible conflicts with reason, people should follow reason (famous followers: Jefferson, Franklin) The rational god has created the perfect universe, and then it works through natural laws

Unitarianism/Universalism Universalism– felt that all souls would progress toward eternal salvation, regardless of any specific beliefs (Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason, , objected to all organized religion) Unitarianism– did not accept the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Ghost), started off as a liberal movement, gained its own demonination and churches Modern-day Unitarianism is literally a “best of” religion taking insight from all major world religions

Second Great Awakening Started about 70 years after the end of the First Great Awakening Aim: to reach a personal understanding of God Started in Connecticut in 1790 (much calmer than the near-hysteria of the First), the goal was to educate and reform America (educational reform, some women’s rights, anti-alcohol) In the West (KY, TN), it was based on camp meetings—very loud and rowdy Western Methodists thought religion was a matter of the heart rather than logic, dominated frontier revivals and became the largest Protestant group by 1845

Critics of 2nd Great Awakening More lust than salvation? Too emotional? Goodness comes from gradual character building, not sudden change

Second Great Awakening

Transcendentalism and Literature Emerged in the 1830’s Knowledge came from intellect, senses, intutition, and sudden insight God, freedom and truth were inborn and experience would let them out Ralph Waldo Emerson “Nature” “Self- Reliance”—all people can see the truth if they rely on their inner selves and trust their hearts Henry David Thoreau “On Walden Pond” – lived in a cabin for two years on a pond to live a simple life according to one’s conscience

Founding of the Mormon Church Mormons = Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Book of Mormon was about people who founded a civilization in South America in the 6th century BC Joseph Smith was the founder, found all of this out from the Angel Moroni He was murdered in Illinois—new leader was Brigham Young, moved them to Utah to establish their “perfect spiritual community” Polygamy was legal in its earlier days