The Second Great Awakening in the early 1800’s was one of the greatest religious revivals which lead people to believe that god was merciful and benevolent, and promised salvation for sinner. This was in direct conflicted with other religious beliefs of the time such as the Calvinist Doctrine on infant damnation. As evangelist such as Charles G. Finney traveled to a series of revivals and preached salvation for everyone. In 1831 the church membership grew by a hundred thousand, which was unparallel in church history. Under Timothy Dwight presidency, Yale U

The greatest reform came in the area of abolitionism. The attempts to end slavery became more intense. Orators like ex-slave Frederick Douglas were essential in the spread of the abolitionism movement. The establishment of the "The Liberator", a newspaper by William Lloyd Garrison in 1832, created another way to spread the word of abolition. These two men and groups like the New England Anti-Slavery Society, organized by Garrison, publicly opposed slavery and demanded freedom for blacks and full equality. Books like Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe, incensed the northerners because of its inhumane characterization of slavery and slave owners. The focus for many because the "self evident truth" in the Declaration of Independence "that all men are created equal." This great historical document seemed to prove the point that slaves should be free because all men were created equal and therefore should be treated equally.

The reforms that occurred in the antebellum period did indeed make a more perfect America. In general people were treated more humanely. Children were educated, the deaf and the blind were able to lead a more normal life, and mentally ill were well cared

Some topics in this essay:
Lucretia Mott, America Awakening, France Grund, Declaration Independence, Mann Massachusetts, Dorothea Dix, Andrew Jackson, Gridly Howel, Charles Finney, Civil War, mentally ill, declaration independence, deaf blind, perfect america people, established school, america people, perfect america, religious beliefs, school deaf, self evident, reform society,