Hi Jirah,
The Second Great Awakening tried to reform industrial society by speaking out against the complacency and Pagan tendencies that were becoming mainstream. Change was instated through promotion of social reformation including Women’s suffrage, The Temperance Movement, and the Abolitionist Movement. These components of the Second Great awakening all worked together in accordance with the sweeping religious revivalist moment.
The Second Great Awakening was meant to combat the loss of interest in religion. At the time, the masses were more interested in the new creations of the Industrial Revolution and the rapid expansion of the West. People were not spending time worshiping anymore. Christian teaching was therefore put forth as a solution for modern problems in order to reignite interest in religion.
Think of “Second Great Awakening” as “Waking Up the Consciences of People.” The religious movement tried to reform industrial society by changing the beliefs and lifestyles of the American people. Preachers promoting temperance, ethics, hard work, and frugality sought to awaken the values of society that were becoming too soon forgotten. The message was propagated through sermons given by enthusiastic Christian preachers. The “awakening” also referred to becoming more aware of the plight of others including as slaves, convicts, those with disabilities, etc. With this awareness comes the choice to make their lives better by making a change.
Best,
Starlyte
