ID: The Great Awakening
When: 1730s-1740s
Who:
- Religious Leaders: Jonathan Edwards (New England), George Whitefield (traveling evangelist), Gilbert Tennent (New Jersey)
- Participants: Colonists from all social classes, although initially more prominent among the less affluent.
What:
A series of religious revivals that swept through the American colonies. Characterized by passionate preaching, emotional experiences, and a focus on personal conversion rather than traditional church hierarchies. It emphasized individual piety and a direct relationship with God.
Impact: Why Significant?:
- Religious Change: Led to the growth of evangelical Protestantism and the formation of new denominations, such as Baptists and Methodists. Challenged the authority of established churches (e.g., Congregationalists, Anglicans).
- Social Change: Transcended class divisions, uniting people from diverse backgrounds through a shared religious experience. However, it also sparked tensions and divisions within communities.
- Political Impact: Fostered a sense of shared identity and experience among colonists, contributing to a growing sense of American identity that later played a role in the Revolution. The emphasis on individual conscience also had implications for later political thought.
- Increased Literacy: The desire to read the Bible spurred literacy rates.
- Development of Colleges: New colleges were founded (e.g., Princeton, Dartmouth) to train ministers for the growing evangelical movement.