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Period: to
Religious Developments Between 1776 and 1860
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Catholics in America
During the Revolution, America invited Catholic Canadians to fight as their allies. This was followed by another development in 1778; a year when America allied with Catholic France. This presented an idea that Catholics would be accepted and protected from persecution in America. This was the first event to introduce tolerance for religions in America. -
Seperation of Church and State
It was around this time that the idea of seperation of church and state was first presented. This was because, after the revolution, people believed that the government should not limit their religiou freedom or limit them because of their views. This idea wasn't popular among many states; they still had laws that barred specific religions from office. This wouldn't become a widely followed law until the 1900's. -
Religious Toleration
After America won its independence from Great Britian, the idea to equality became more popular. The Declaration of Independence said all men were created equal. This would lead to the idea of religious toleration, which would convince more denominations to settle in the United States. Pennsylvania and Rhode Island already held this belief as true before the Declaration was written. -
Market Revolution
Beginning around 1840, America's economy developed through the introduction of new technologies. As the factory system became more widespread, a larger work force would become necessary. The workers were supplied as immigrants from Europe. The new immigrants brought their new religions over to the developiong cities. -
Slave Religion
As more and more slaves began to be held in plantations, masters believed religion would aid in their control. They thought that religious support against rebellion would convince the slaves not to do so. The slaves used this unique form of christianity as relief frfor their hardship. I would give them hope and highlighted stories of freedom. Even after slavery was ended, the blacks continued to believe in this. -
The Second Great Awakening
Christian ministers began to become worried by the low church attendence during the market revolution. To combat this, they began to have huge sermons as a way to encourage a religious revival. All throughout New England, mainly in New York, ministers attracted huge crowds with their inspiring speechs and persuasive arguements. As a result, the Second Great Awakening led to a higher amount of church membership. -
Utopian Communities
Around this time period, different "Utopian" communities began to be created. They were mostly started by religious groups that didn't believe they should assimilate with secular society. This included Shakers and members of the Oneida. Although most were short lived, some did succeed for many years. -
Reform Movements
After the Second Great Awakening, many people believed they should spread their religious ideas. Most of them did this by becoming part of the reform impulse. This was a period of time in which many different reforms, with various causes, became popular in America. The people, mostly Protestants, preached that they wanted to save the people from the devil's influence. They planned to do this primarily through temperance and a tighter watch on crime. -
Abolitionism
Around this time, the reform movement held many different groups that supported abolition. Influence from the Great Awakening led many reformers to use religion as an explanation of why salvery is wrong. They said that slavery was a unforgivable sin and the nation would have a divine punishment if the institution were not stopped. This was meant to scare religious slave supporters and give an explanation of why abolition was reasonable. -
Mormons
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was established in the 1820's, but began a major migration to Utah during the 1840's. Before this, they had settles in New York, Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio but they were forced out from all of them. This was because of their alarming religious views. Their leader claimed to be spoken to by God, they encouraged polygamy, and they claimed to be the lost tribe of Israel. All of this ideas were sources of dissent from the other religious groups. -
Catholic Irish and German Immigration
During the 1840's, a potato famine forced millions of Irish people to flee their homeland. Many of these people would come to America where they were given jobs for unskilled workers. A similar migration of Germans would follow them. They were mainly Catholics, and their religion wasn't fully excepted by the Protestant Americans.
