In the 1800s, another religious revival occurred. Much like the first Great Awakening, the Second Great Awakening resulted in thousands of people converting to evangelistic religions. Conversion was at the heart of the Second Great Awakening. Traveling preachers would preach to large crowds in various towns where large crowds would gather. This allowed the preachers to teach to the masses.

The preachers of the first Great Awakening focused on giving people a "new birth," but the preachers of the Second Great Awakening focused on removing sin from the lives of people and leading them on a path to perfectionism.

Another difference between the two movements was the increase in reform movements (an effort to make important social changes) that sprang from the religious movements. Women's rights, temperance, and abolition were some of the major reform movements that changed the daily lives of Americans.

Click on the symbols below to learn more about these movements.

→ Quick Reflection: Why do you think people wanted to change these problems in society? How did the Second Great Awakening play a role in these reform movements?