Question

In what ways were the Second Great Awakening and the Transcendentalist movement a reaction to the market economy?

Answer 1

The second great awakening was a religious movement that occurs in 19th century. Its main focus is more on indiviual responsibilities. Charles Grandison Finney was considereed as the Father of second great awakening. He emphasized on indiviual responsibility for seeking salvation. He has started creating intense religious practices with gatherings of around thousands of people. It is characterized by religious revivals (spurred by emotional sermons):
1. optimistic attitude (toward anxiety aroused from rapid changes)
2. democratized religion
3. increase in church membership (especially among Methodists & Baptists)
4. emergence of new religious sects (Mormons)

Transcendalism was a philosphical and literary movement of 1800. It emphasizes on leading a simple life and celebrating the truth found in the nature, personal emotions and imagination. Raph weldo emerson led the transcendalist group. It acts to give a philosophical/intellectual response to industrialization & urbanization.
1. opposed to competition & materialism
2. focused on efficiency
3. stressed reason, return to instincts, and recognition of people's place in nature

Effects:

• The second great awakening created more diversity in teh church, which weakened chrurch authorites and playe dan importat role in social reform. It was a resons eagast rationalis.
• Transcendalist emphasizes on freedom and thus against slavery.
• Religious communities formed in response to disagreeable changes in the American lifestyle (excessive individualism of the market economy & religious principles of the Second Great Awakening)