Final answer:
The Second Great Awakening had a strong influence on social reform movements in the mid-1700s, driving various humanitarian and societal improvements, including Utopian communities, abolitionism, and the temperance, as well as women's rights movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
To evaluate the extent to which the Second Great Awakening caused social reform movements in the mid-1700s, it is clear that this religious revival had a profound impact on various social changes. The evangelical Protestantism that was omnipresent during this period emphasized individual spiritual success, aligning closely with the individualistic and capitalistic spirit of the age. This led to a surge in religious activism, which encouraged societal improvements through individual conversions.
The revivalists of the Second Great Awakening, such as Charles G. Finney, called for personal salvation and transformation, pioneering an era of social reform that included temperance movements, abolitionism, and the women's rights movement. Moreover, numerous Utopian communities and religious sects appeared, all aiming at restructuring economic, social, and religious norms.
Additionally, the movement inspired an inclusive approach to progress, reaching across gender, class, and racial boundaries. It spurred individuals to work towards personal and societal perfection, initiating and propelling forward reformative movements such as prison and asylum reform, education, anti-slavery campaigns, and more. Therefore, the Second Great Awakening's role in prompting social reform movements during the mid-1700s can be best categorized as strongly influenced social reform (Answer A).