Religious & Women’s Reform Chapter 15

Religious Reform The Second Great Awakening: religious movement that swept America in the early 1800’s The Second Great Awakening: religious movement that swept America in the early 1800’s Leader: Charles Grandison Finney Leader: Charles Grandison Finney Believed in free will rather than predestination( already decided by God). Taught individuals that they could choose to save their souls by their own actions. Believed in free will rather than predestination( already decided by God). Taught individuals that they could choose to save their souls by their own actions.

Leaders like Finney held revivals- huge outdoor meetings. Leaders like Finney held revivals- huge outdoor meetings. Finney-“Save yourself and you can save the world.” Finney-“Save yourself and you can save the world.” Religious Reform

Widespread Christian Movement Widespread Christian Movement Revival meetings= new life Revival meetings= new life Emotional Sermons Emotional Sermons Increased the amount of people participating in churches (particularly women) Increased the amount of people participating in churches (particularly women) Abolition and Temperance movement are directly linked to 2 nd Great Awakening Abolition and Temperance movement are directly linked to 2 nd Great Awakening Second Great Awakening

Christianity to African Americans There was a strong belief that all people, black or white, belonged to the same God. There was a strong belief that all people, black or white, belonged to the same God. Blacks and whites worshiped in the same churches, although segregated by pews. Blacks and whites worshiped in the same churches, although segregated by pews. Many African Americans interpreted the Christian message as a promise of eventual freedom. Many African Americans interpreted the Christian message as a promise of eventual freedom.

Transcendentalism TRANSCENDENTALISM = a philosophy that asserts the primacy of the spiritual over the material. TRANSCENDENTALISM = a philosophy that asserts the primacy of the spiritual over the material. The ultimate truth transcends the physical world The ultimate truth transcends the physical world Nature was the source of deep Human inspiration Nature was the source of deep Human inspiration Genuine spirituality come through communion with nature Genuine spirituality come through communion with nature

Transcendentalists and Nature Nature was the source of deep Human inspiration Nature was the source of deep Human inspiration Helps individuals see truth within their souls Helps individuals see truth within their souls Genuine Spirituality come through communion with nature Genuine Spirituality come through communion with nature

Transcendentalism Two key people: Two key people: Ralph Waldo Emerson Ralph Waldo Emerson Leader, Unitarian Minister, devoted to Transcendentalism Leader, Unitarian Minister, devoted to Transcendentalism Henry David Thoreau Henry David Thoreau Individuals should: Individuals should: Resist conformity Resist conformity Protested Slavery Protested Slavery Believed people should not obey laws Believed people should not obey laws they considered unjust – Civil Disobedience they considered unjust – Civil Disobedience

Utopian Communities People optimistic about religious and social reform tried to set up “perfect” communities. People optimistic about religious and social reform tried to set up “perfect” communities. Brook Farm and New Harmony, Indiana Brook Farm and New Harmony, Indiana Created communities based on self- sufficiency, and wanted to create a “more wholesome and simple life”. Created communities based on self- sufficiency, and wanted to create a “more wholesome and simple life”. Utopian communities generally did not last more than a few years. Utopian communities generally did not last more than a few years.

Prison Reform Dorothea Dix- social reformer and activist for prisoners and the mentally ill she visited her first prison Dorothea Dix- social reformer and activist for prisoners and the mentally ill she visited her first prison Improved conditions in prison systems Improved conditions in prison systems Cruel punishments were banned, people convicted of minor crimes received shorter sentences. Cruel punishments were banned, people convicted of minor crimes received shorter sentences. Debtors ( people who could not pay $ they owed) were no longer treated as criminals Debtors ( people who could not pay $ they owed) were no longer treated as criminals

Improving Education Horace Mann- Massachusetts reformer of public education. Became head of Mass. Board of education in Horace Mann- Massachusetts reformer of public education. Became head of Mass. Board of education in In 1800 few children attended school. Teachers were poorly trained. Students of all ages crowded together in one room. In 1800 few children attended school. Teachers were poorly trained. Students of all ages crowded together in one room. NY took the lead in improving education. In 1814, the state passed a law requiring local governments to set up tax- supported schools NY took the lead in improving education. In 1814, the state passed a law requiring local governments to set up tax- supported schools

Education Reform Cont. Horace Mann- Under his leadership Mass. Built new schools, raised teacher’s pay, and opened 3 colleges to train teachers. Horace Mann- Under his leadership Mass. Built new schools, raised teacher’s pay, and opened 3 colleges to train teachers.

Temperance Movement Movement Against Alcohol Movement Against Alcohol Religious based Social Reform Movement Religious based Social Reform Movement Believed crime, disorder, poverty  caused by alcoholism Believed crime, disorder, poverty  caused by alcoholism Drinking was especially a problem for Women- husband abuse them, and kids, and “drink the money”. Drinking was especially a problem for Women- husband abuse them, and kids, and “drink the money”.

Temperance Cont… 1826 American Society for the Promotion of Temperance 1826 American Society for the Promotion of Temperance Preached abstinence Preached abstinence Large meetings Large meetings Will later evolve into national movement Will later evolve into national movement Women’s Christian Temperance Union 1878 Women’s Christian Temperance Union 1878 Anti-Saloon League 1880s Anti-Saloon League 1880s Eventually, under Progressives, will lead to prohibition of Alcohol under the 18 th Amendment to the Constitution that lasts Eventually, under Progressives, will lead to prohibition of Alcohol under the 18 th Amendment to the Constitution that lasts

Feminism Women were active in reform and Revival- 2 nd Great Awakening Women were active in reform and Revival- 2 nd Great Awakening Temperance Temperance Abolition Abolition Women’s rights Women’s rights Many women begin to call for women’s rights Many women begin to call for women’s rights “Men and women were created equal. They are both moral and accountable beings and whatever is right for man to do is right for women to do.” “Men and women were created equal. They are both moral and accountable beings and whatever is right for man to do is right for women to do.”

A Call for Women’s Rights Sojourner Truth: Former slave who was one of the most effective speakers for women’s rights Sojourner Truth: Former slave who was one of the most effective speakers for women’s rights Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott: Abolitionists who became influential advocates for women’s rights. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott: Abolitionists who became influential advocates for women’s rights. Seneca Falls Convention: Meeting in NY which drew attention to the problems women faced Seneca Falls Convention: Meeting in NY which drew attention to the problems women faced

Women’s Rights Cont.. Created a “Declaration of Sentiments” that was modeled after the Declaration of Independence stating what women’s rights SHOULD be. Created a “Declaration of Sentiments” that was modeled after the Declaration of Independence stating what women’s rights SHOULD be.