What movement was inspired by the Second Great Awakening?

The abolitionist movement was significantly inspired by the Second Great Awakening, a religious revival that swept the United States in the early 19th century. This movement emphasized personal piety, moral responsibility, and social reform, leading many individuals to see slavery as a sin against God and humanity. The emotional fervor and emphasis on individual conscience that characterized the revivals helped fuel the arguments against slavery, prompting a moral imperative among followers to work towards its abolition.

During this period, many religious groups and individuals began advocating for the end of slavery, linking their faith with activism. Notable figures from this movement, such as Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth, utilized the language and principles derived from the Second Great Awakening to challenge the institution of slavery. They framed abolition not only as a political cause but as a moral duty, which significantly increased public awareness and support for the movement, ultimately helping to lay the groundwork for the larger social and political battles to come in the years leading up to the Civil War.