Francis Grund was a German nobleman who traveled in the United States during the 1830s. Here he describes what he saw as the origin of the antebellum reform spirit.

Religion has been the basis of the most important American settlements; religion kept their little community together – religion assisted them in their revolutionary struggle; it was religion to which they appealed in defending their liberties. It was with the solemnities of religion that the declaration of independence is yet annually read to the people from the pulpit…and it is religion, which assists them in all their national undertakings. The Americans look upon religion as a promoter of civil and political liberty.

What, according to Grund, was the inspiration behind Americans’ “civil and political reforms”?

Question 1 options:

The Second Great Awakening

The Romanticism Movement

The Era of Good Feelings

The Federalist Era

According to Francis Grund, religion is the basis upon which Americans were able to build their society. This society is based on civil and political liberty. Grund argues that Americans relied on religion from the very beginning in order to keep communities together. This religious spirit was refined during the period known as The Second Great Awakening. This movement led to a revival of religious passion and belief among Americans. This spirit continues to carry society, uniting the country under the idea of freedom and religion.