The Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening started in 1790 but reached its peak during the early 19th Century. It was a reaction against the rationalism (the belief in human reason). Movement was started by Protestants, mostly among the educated. Reverend Timothy Dwight (Yale President) influenced many young men on his campus to become reverends. This movement offered salvation to all. In 1823 Presbyterian minister Charles G. Finney started rivals in upstate NY. Finney’s tactics were to appeal to people’s fear of damnation. He preached that people could be saved through faith and hard work (these ideas appealed to middle class).The area of Finney’s influence was called the “burned-over district”. Much of the enthusiasm was due to people thinking the world will end as a result of the second coming of Christ. Preacher William Miller gained thousands of followers by predicting a date (Oct. 21, 1844) when the second coming of Christ would happen. There was disappointment when nothing happened but Miller and followers started a new religion- Seventh day Adventists. The Second Great Awakening occurred in the North and peoples desires to better themselves played a large role in social reform.