APUSH WORKSHEET
CHAPTER 15
QUESTIONS
1. What was Deism? How did it differ from the religions that dominated early America?
Deism was a religion that had much more liberal doctrines than religions that dominated early in America. Deists relied on reason rather than revelation, on science rather than the Bible. They rejected the concept of original sin and denied Christ's divinity. Yet Deists believed in a Supreme Being who had created the universe and had instilled moral behavior in human beings.
2. Discuss the effects that the Second Great Awakening (SGA) had on American society. What role did slavery in the changes of American churches at this time?
Around twenty thousand people would gather for "camp meetings" and listen to the hellfire gospel spoken by a itinerant preacher. Thousands who felt religiously enlightened would engage in frenzies of rolling, dancing, barking, and jerking. Many of the "saved" went back to sinning but revivals boosted church membership and stimulated a variety of humanitarian reforms. Easterners did missionary work in the West with Indians, in Hawaii, and in Asia. During this time, slavery was starting to get unpopular and preachers, such as Charles Finney, would denounce slavery. The changes of American churches also promoted a crusade to abolish slavery.
3. Why were middle-class women the most fervent enthusiasts for religious revival?
They were influenced by the changes in the expanding market economy and were also persuaded when evangelicals preached a gospel of female spiritual worth and offered women an active role in bringing their husbands and families back to God.The women then felt encouraged to save the rest of the society through charitable organizations and crusades for reforms.
4. Who were the Mormons? Why did Brigham Young lead them to Utah? Did they prosper in the desert? Explain.
They were a new church launched by Joseph Smith. They emphasized moderation, saving, hard work, and risk-taking. Brigham Young lead them to Utah because she wanted them to avoid further persecution. Yes, under the management of Brigham Young, the Mormons grew into a prosperous frontier theocracy and a cooperative commonwealth. The young married multiple women and produced 56 children.
5. Describe public education in the early 1800s. An advanced education for women was frowned upon. Why?
Even though there wasn't much tax-supported education in the south, it still triumphed between 1825 to 1850. As laborers began demanding education for their children and votes were made calling for free education, schoolhouses were eventually set up, However, the teachers were poorly trained and were barely smarter than their oldest student, But the people were satisfied because they were taught reading, writing, and arithmetic. An advanced education for women was frowned upon because it was believed that women's place was at home. Women were even deemed unfit for marriage if they acquired too much learning.
6. What role did the SGA play in the reform movement?
The SGA inspired many individuals to reform the "evils" of society, such as cruelty, war, intoxicating drink, discrimination, and slavery. Women became important in the reform crusades, especially when they fought for women's suffrage. The SGA also inspired reformers to reaffirm their traditional Christian values as the market economy began expanding and becoming more prominent in society.
7. Why was reform needed in debtor's prisons, the criminal codes, and in the care for the mentally ill?
Reform was needed in debtor's prisons because hundreds of penniless people were languishing in filthy holes. Therefore, debtor's prisons were gradually abolished. For the criminal codes, reform was needed because the punishments became too harsh and the number of capital offenses was decreasing. Criminal codes softened and there were less harsh punishments. For the mentally ill, reform was needed to accept the idea that the mentally ill should be treated like beasts, which is why they were locked up in jails or poor houses with sane people.
