By the end of the 18th century, many educated Americans no longer professed traditional Christian beliefs. In reaction to the secularism of the age, a religious revival spread westward in the first half of the 19th century. Social activism inspired by the religious revival gave rise to abolition groups and the Society for the Promotion of Temperance, as well as to efforts to reform prisons and care for the handicapped and mentally ill. Many historians ask the question of why these new religious and civil rights movements took place. Many conclude that the Market Revolution caused much stress on the people and their new found beliefs gave them a sense of stability. Look at how 9-11 changed our beliefs. Churches became packed with people in search of stability among the national crisis.

In the late 1830’s and early 1840’s there was a growing gap between the rich and the poor. The rich seemed to be getting richer and the poor got poorer. More importantly was the rise of a middle class. As Touqeville put it, “The whole society seems to have turned into one middle class. Men seemed to often be off at work while the women were left at home to take care of household duti

The Second Great Awakening exercised a profound impact on American history. Christian teaching and the resolution of social problems presaged the Social Gospel of the late 19th century. America was becoming a more diverse nation in the early to mid-19th century, and among this there were growing differences. These new social ideas formed from this awakening were to abolish slavery, give women rights, prohibit alcohol, and create public education.

This second great religious revival in American history consisted of several kinds of activity, distinguished by locale and expression of religious commitment. In New England, the renewed interest in religion inspired a wave of social activism. In western New York, the spirit of revival encouraged the emergence of new denominations. In the Appalachian region of Kentucky and Tennessee, the revival strengthened the Methodists and the Baptists, and spawned a new form of religious expression -- the camp meeting.

Women as well understood the hardships of the slaves and not only spoke out against anti-slavery but as well women's rights. The major impact of the Women's Rights Movement was the Seneca Falls Convention. At Seneca Falls Lucretia Mott and other women drafted what was called a Declaration of Sentiments pattoned on the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Sentiments asked for women's rights to vote, own property, custody of their children in case of divorce and so on. Susan B. Anthony was the most influential of this period. Unfortunately women found themselves locked into the system, leading them to speak out le

Some topics in this essay:
Market Revolution, Methodists Baptists, America Appalachian, Awakening Awakening, Social Gospel, Social Reformation, Adams York, Unfortunately Douglass, Society AASS, Susan Anthony, religious revival, women's rights, western york, civil rights, camp meeting, civil rights movements, anti-slavery society, rights movements, home care, social activism, declaration independence,