The Enlightenment and the Great Awakening prompted Americans to challenge traditional sources of authority in religion and politics through the promotion of science, human reasoning, equality, and natural rights. Many were attracted to these principles due to the oppressed and unjust lives that they were living under the current religious and political rule. The Enlightenment emphasized scientific/human reasoning and observation, natural rights, and laws that govern the natural world. In 1543, Copernicus discovered that the earth orbited around the sun; in 1687, SIr Isaac Newton published Principia Mathematica in which planetary motion was explained through math and physics.…
Enlightenment is a period during the eighteenth century; it was an intellectual movement that was influenced by the European enlightenment. The Enlightenment period focused on reasoning and scientific intellectual by attacking tradition not based on merit, but with hereditary privileges. The period is classified by the belief in human thinking rather than God as the center in life. Galileo, Copernicus, Newton, Locke, and Franklin are scientist and humanist that believe that science could reframe society and influence their behavior and thinking. The colonist began believing in the power of science because it provides an answer to colonists mysteries questions. This time period affects the spheres of life…
From around 1650 to the late 1700’s, the Age of Enlightenment dominated philosophical thought in Europe and led to revolutionary change in the structure of government and way of thought. The intellectual and cultural movement provided a new way of thought that was based on reason, progress and the scientific method. Certain thinkers and writers believed they were more enlightened than others and strived to create a more successful idea of how society should be run. They believed that human reason could be used to fight ignorance, tired rituals, corrupt traditions and tyranny. They valued reason, progress, and liberty. John Locke (1632-1704), an English philosopher, was one of the most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment and has left…
The Second Great Awakening, also known as the Great Revival, changed not only the upper class, well-educated people’s perspective of religious teachings, but also the lower and less wealthy class. This Great Awakening was not specific to any area of America, but it was mainly active in the Northeast and Midwest. This awakening brought to attention the rights of people, including women and slaves, and abstinence from alcohol. This lead to people making decisions in their life and becoming more aware of the politics and the corruptness of the south.…
In the time of 1825-1850, United States officials and activists sought to expand the democratic ideals in which the country was founded. Activists such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton as well as many other women pushed for the right to vote, stating that both men and women were created equal, and women should be given the right to vote, for it was the democratic action to take. Other activists began to create democratic reforms as well, fighting to reinforce the ideals the nation so actively prides itself in. Many however, did not take part in these reforms, insisting that the old ways were the best ways.…
Time and time again, people have turned to religion for answers during times of great change, such as the burgeoning industrialization of antebellum America in the 1800's. The Second Great Awakening swept through America as a reaction against the spread of rationalism and the weakening clutch of churches over their followers. With its touch, America grew invigorated over religious beliefs such as equality and temperance. Reform movements sprung and spread like wildfire, affecting nearly every apspect of daily life. The rise of social reform movements can be largely attributed to the Second Great Awakening and if looked in deeper, the industrialization of America and growing liberalism in religion were the roots of the religious revival.…
Although the ideas and concepts of life during the Great Awakening and the Enlightenment periods proved to be drastically different, both proved to be influential and shaped America. The Great Awakening was a revival of religion and the Enlightenment was all about understanding science and social structure.…
When analyzing the Migration and Settlement of how and why people adapted and transformed to the new social and physical environment can be shown in a number of ways. First, vagabonds, rogues and other criminals were transformed into become solid citizens. Second, the adaptation of farmers in the South and how they transformed their social and physical environment with the purchase of slaves. Finally, the religious boom of the Great Awakening and how it transformed many people social and physical environment.…
In the early to mid 1800s, change grasped America in a way that it only had once before; another religious revival. The Second Great Awakening was a tidal wave of spirituality that quickly revolutionized America. While the first Great Awakening renewed interest in religion, the Second Great Awakening introduced new and original theology. Though, both Great Awakenings widened boundaries between classes and regions. Denominations were conceived based on personal beliefs like woman’s rights, slavery, and whether or not alcohol is acceptable. Liberalism became a vast part of everyday life as people decided that it was time to express their beliefs. The Second Great Awakening accelerated change through contemporary religions, higher education, and general culture.…
After 1720, two great European cultural movements, the Enlightenment, which emphasized the power of human reason to understand and shape the world; and pietism, and evangelical christian movement that stressed the individual’s personal relationship with God reached America.…
The Second Great Awakening was a time period in the early 19th century where people became extremely religious. It reflected cultural romanticism described by enthusiasm, emotion, and an appeal to religion. Religion had a major role through out this time period. There were huge religious gatherings and revivals that attracted millions of people and it caused many different social changes. The Second Great Awakening created many different movements that involved religion, abolitionists, and women’s rights.…
The Great Awakening was a watershed event in the life of the American people. Before it was over, it had swept the colonies of the Eastern seaboard, transforming the social and religious life of land. Although the name is slightly misleading--the Great Awakening was not one continuous revival, rather it was several revivals in a variety of locations--it says a great deal about the state of religion in the colonies. For the simple reality is that one cannot be awakened unless you have fallen asleep.…
Religion had begun to decline in the New World colonies. This was especially evident in the pioneers, who had no ministers to teach sermons or perform religious ceremonies. Many felt they were descending into a “primal” or “sinful” life much like that of the Native Americans. These feelings are what led to the beginning of the Great Awakening.…
In the mid-1700s, the Great Awakening revived and reformed religion by creating a new intensely-emotional approach to Church teachings. New Light preachers added a much needed jolt to this religious slump of boring and uninspiring sermons. They rivaled, and served as serious competition for the traditional “Old Light” teachers. However, was the Great Awakening a key contribution to the American Revolution? I can agree, but, the true answer is indecisive. Whether the “Awakening” did or did not influence independence in America, this new wave of religious freedom is with no doubt an important landmark in history.…
Over time, Enlightenment ideals have had an immense impact on contemporary and modern society. The Age of Enlightenment was a time during the 17th and 18th century in which scholars and philosophers began to question traditional ideas about society. Centuries of corruption and exploitation from numerous monarchies and the church, initiated intelligent people to speak out, and thus, the Enlightenment began. This Enlightenment changed the world by promoting new ideas concerning political, economic, and social values. These changes include equality for women, elimination of cruel and unusual punishment, and enforcement of religious toleration.…