The History of the United States, 2nd Edition Season 1 Episode 80 Religion in Twentieth-Century America

The History of the United States, 2nd Edition season 1 episode 80 explores the role of religion in Twentieth-Century America. The episode delves into the shifting attitudes towards religion in the country and how it has impacted various social, cultural, and political issues. Through interviews with scholars and historians, the episode examines the rise of evangelicalism and fundamentalism, the decline of mainline Protestantism, and the growth of non-Christian religions.

Starting with the early decades of the century, the episode explores the changes that took place in American religious life in the aftermath of the First World War. The rise of urbanization, immigration, and secularism created a sense of disillusionment with traditional forms of religion, and many Americans began to search for new spiritual paths. The episode looks at how this led to the rise of movements such as the Social Gospel, Modernism, and the Holiness movement.

Moving forward, the episode explores the impact of the Second World War and the Cold War on American religion. It investigates how the war led to greater religious involvement in social and political issues, including civil rights, and how the Cold War gave rise to a wave of religious nationalism. The episode examines the role of famous religious leaders such as Billy Graham, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Martin Luther King Jr in shaping this period of American religious life.

The episode also explores the changes brought about by Vatican II and the rise of non-Christian religions such as Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. It looks at how these religions challenged the dominance of Christianity in American religious discourse and how they contributed to the growing diversity of American spirituality. The episode also examines the role of religion in shaping political debates over issues such as abortion, LGBTQ rights, and immigration.

Throughout the episode, viewers are offered a vivid portrait of the changing religious landscape of America and its impact on the country's social, cultural, and political life. From the fundamentalist movement to the rise of secularism, the episode examines how religion in America has shaped and been shaped by the complex forces of history. Through its detailed analysis and insightful commentary, this episode of The History of the United States, 2nd Edition offers a fascinating and thought-provoking exploration of religion in Twentieth-Century America.