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The Second Great Awakening had many different impacts on different groups of Americans. The movement had a great impact on African Americans and women specifically. African Americans were empowered to form their churches and religions like the Methodist Episcopal Church which created a sense of community and belonging. The movement helped promote the abolishment of slavery and fought for more equality with many leaders of the Second Great Awakening also influencing other social reforms at this time like Sojourner Truth, an African American abolitionist, and women's rights activist who was influenced by ideas front the second great awakening to seek social change. New churches and religions that were focused on inclusivity meant that women gained new roles and opportunities in religious leadership as well as in society like becoming social activists such as Sojourner Truth or becoming educators like Mrs. C. V. R Hale.

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The Second Great Awakening was a period of religious revival that occurred from 1790-1840. During this time, a spread of Christianity and Evangelical religion occurred through preaching, meetings, and a focus on individual salvation. The movement created a sense of national unity as it created a belief that all people, including women, people of color, and other marginalized groups could reach salvation in the same manner as white men. The Second Great Awakening became prominent during the Jacksonian Era, highlighted by policies and social reform that were centered around the ideas of the movement.

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There are many differing views on The Second Great Awakening. The Second Great Awakening gained support from minority groups because of the sense of community it created through the emphasis on inclusivity regardless of societal status. The elites who did not gain anything from the movement and wanted to maintain their status did not support the 2nd Great Awakening as it promoted social reforms at a time when they did not want change.

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"The Infant Christian" written by Mrs. C. V. R. Hale for purposes to teach young children at Methodist Churches

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Much of the youth in the country was also influenced by the movement as a result of the belief that the ideas of the Second Great Awakening should be shared with children because they are the next generation of leaders. This idea is highlighted in the children’s book “The Infant Christian” when the author, Mrs. C. V. R. Hale, utilizes the book to teach children basic ideas that the Methodist Church believes in. Through the new ideas and creation of the Methodist church that was brought about by the 2nd Great Awakening, children were now more involved and included in religion, which is demonstrated through the message of this book, highlighting the movement’s direct influence on children (Hale). Overall, the movement led to many different reforms, which positively impacted the many marginalized communities of the US.

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Similarly, modern-day movements such as BLM and the legalization of gay marriage continue to challenge social injustices and advocate for equal rights. The BLM movement emerged in 2013 in response to police brutality and racism to raise awareness and demand policy changes to protect Black communities. Since then, the BLM movement has led to policy reforms, increased accountability for law enforcement, and greater representation of Black voices in politics and society. The movement reflects the broader historical struggle against racial injustice, pushing the nation towards greater equality.

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Lower classes were also impacted significantly as they were included in the reforms made. Lower classes were no longer marginalized and were now empowered by the idea that even the “common man” could also receive salvation. This is highlighted through the beliefs of the Mormon church which was created by Joseph Smith who grew up in poverty and wrote in his journals that every man has a place in his church. This demonstrates the impact that this movement had on the lower class through the emergence of Mormonism. This new religion gained traction by appealing to lower-class people who believed the church to be a source of hope and opportunity. As a result of religious persecution, many followers of the church moved west and took their ideas with them which heavily influenced many people in the frontier regions where Americans were especially poorer.

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Likewise, the legislation of gay marriage represents another fight for social justice. While advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights dates back to the 1970s it was not until the 21st century that significant legal progress was made. The 2015 Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized gay marriage nationwide, was a victory for those who struggled for LGBTQ+ rights. This movement, much like those inspired by the Second Great Awakening, sought to create a more inclusive society where individuals could live freely without fear of discrimination.

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Both the Second Great Awakening and the Jacksonian Era created inclusion and unity throughout the US. Andrew Jackson’s idea of politics being for the “common man” is similar to the themes of the Second Great Awakening because Jackson’s politics promoted inclusion just as new Christian denominations created as a result of the movement promoted similar inclusivity. The Second Great Awakening created a rise in Evangelicalism, a protestant movement that emphasized sharing personal experiences, and the spread of Christian faith during the Jacksonian Era.

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Throughout the history of the United States, social justice movements have greatly impacted the identity and culture of the country. Movements such as Black Lives Matter (BLM) and the legalization of gay marriage reflect the ongoing struggle of marginalized groups within our nation for equality, justice, and civil rights. Historically, the United States has struggled with issues of inequality. The Second Great Awakening, in the early 19th century, was not just a religious revival but also a catalyst for numerous other justice reforms. It influenced movements advocating for the rights of marginalized groups, such as women and African Americans, through promoting abolitionist efforts, women's suffrage, and broader civil rights reforms. Both the BLM movement and the fight for gay marriage align with historical efforts to promote justice and equality demonstrated through the Second Great Awakening. They all challenge societal norms, advocate for policy changes, and work towards a more inclusive society. These movements are an evolution and continuation of the idea of individual empowerment, presented during the Second Great Awakening which has shaped our nation into what it is today.

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A lot of African Americans supported the movement because it promoted ideas like inclusion and helped many find a sense of community through the creation of independent Black churches at a time when they were facing discrimination and abuse. change. Many women like Harriet Livermore, a famous preacher who spoke several times in front of Congress, were also inspired by ideas of inclusivity promoted by the Second Great Awakening. They supported the movement as a means of empowerment and favored the women's rights reforms that followed due to its ideas.

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Men believed that traditional gender roles were being challenged therefore, their support for the 2nd Great Awakening varied depending on region and socioeconomic status. While most southern plantation owners were Christian, they did not support the movement as they worried it would create too many reforms that could abolish slavery and destroy their way of life. In contrast, the empowerment and equality of the movement appealed to lower classes, especially in frontier regions, as it created a belief that they, too, could receive salvation, which was before seen as a privilege for only the upper class. Aaron Lummus was a clear example of this. He wrote his biography for other Christians, new converts, or those struggling with their faith as he once was. His story resonated with believers who valued personal testimonies of new conversions and spiritual struggles (Lummus). Overall, the Second Great Awakening emphasized personal struggles and the need for constant faith.

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To spread Christianity throughout the US, missionaries would travel and promote their religion to others through things like revival/camp meetings which were large outdoor gatherings where communities would come together, listen to passionate sermons, and worship through prayers, songs, and chants. This is illustrated through "The Camp Meeting Choister," a collection of hymns sung at these meetings. Specifically, in Hymn 15 the importance of trust in God is spoken about when it mentions the vices that humans struggle with "until [they] heard [their] Saviour's voice"(Clarke). This highlights the importance of these camp meetings in furthering the ideas of the Second Great Awakening. In conclusion, The Second Great Awakening was a pivotal period in the US that focused on personal salvation, moral reforms, and the pursuit of social justice, all with the influence of Evangelical Christianity.

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Drawing depicts revival meetings where chants, songs, and poems were performed

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Works Cited