In the 1800's the renewed interest in religion led to a time known as the Second Great Awakening. This renewed interest included an idea known as Transandentalism, which emphasized the importance of the natural world and an individual's responsibility for himself. Constitutional rights were developed that allowed Americans to spread new religions and ideas. Expansion of democratic ideals led to new laws and thoughts that all men should be created equal.
             The Puritan theology and foreign influences, including the German Romantic philosophers and religions of Asia, all were contributors to the Transandentalist movement in the 1800's. Transandentalists rejected the theory of John Locke which stated that all knowledge comes to mind through senses. They believed truth, rather, "transcends" the senses. Another one of their beliefs was that every person has an inner light that can put him in direct touch with God. Transandentalism is closely related to a commitment to self-reliance, self-culture, and self-discipline. An example of this is Henry David Thoreau a poet, mystic, Transandentalist, and nonconformist. He believed that he should reduce his bodily wants so as to gain time for a pursuit of truth through study and mediation. The interest in Transandentalism showed the importance of an individual's responsibility for himself.
             The Constitutional Rights such as the freedom of speech and religion were greatly used at this time. In the year 1830 a man named Joseph Smith reported that he had received gold plates from an angel. This led to a new religion which was certain to spread world-wide. This spreading of new religions was one of the major roles that the Second Great-Awakening played. Women began to gather strength together and battle for the rights of women using the freedom of speech. Some of these famous women were Dorothea Dix, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabe
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