Routledge Public Relations and Religion in American History

Explore the historical connection between religious movements and modern communication in this award-winning study. Winner of The American Journalism Historians Association Book of the Year Award (2015), this book traces the evolution of American public relations from evangelical roots to corporate practices. The text examines how the church-based temperance movement and reform efforts helped shape the foundations of public relations. It provides a detailed look at the impact of the Second Great Awakening and the influence of Rev. Charles Grandison Finney. Readers will learn about the early reformers at Oberlin College and the leadership within the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the Anti-Saloon League of America. This work is an essential resource for those studying business history, religious studies, or the development of communication strategies in the United States. It bridges the gap between 19th-century social reform and 20th-century public relations, offering a deep look at how these different spheres of American life influenced one another.