Date

4-17-2024

Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD)

Chair

Sean Turchin

Keywords

second great awakening, american higher education, religious awakening, student activism, american education, student societies, history, ninteenth century, antebellum america, american christianity, lane seminary, oberlin college, andover seminary, progressive christianity, american protestantism, religion, education, revival, social reform, social justice, abolitionism, reform movements, lyman beecher, charles finney, voluntary societies, asa mahan, theodore weld, coeducation, integration, lane rebels

Disciplines

Higher Education | History

Abstract

This dissertation delves into the profound impact of the Second Great Awakening on American higher education and its enduring social consequences. Examining the period from the late eighteenth century to the mid-nineteenth century, the research uncovers the core belief that drove the Awakening—that America and its citizens were chosen for a divine purpose, endeavoring to manifest the kingdom of heaven on Earth. It explores how Protestant-led revivalism and social reform movements fueled by this core belief influenced the establishment and evolution of American higher education. Through in-depth case studies of Andover Theological Seminary, Lane Seminary, and Oberlin College, the research unveils the profound influence of the Awakening on these institutions' missions, pedagogy, and student life. Drawing from a wide array of primary and secondary sources, this dissertation demonstrates how the sacralizing impulse of this religious movement fundamentally reshaped the objectives of these institutes of higher education and the experiences of their students and faculty. This study makes a substantial contribution to the ongoing historiographical discussion on the Second Great Awakening. It underscores its enduring significance in shaping American society, culture, and ideology while highlighting its lasting influence on the dynamic terrain of higher education. A meticulous examination underscores how this awakening was pivotal in transforming American higher education into a powerful force capable of instigating substantial social change and molding the nation's intellectual and moral development.

Download

Share

COinS