The great awakening

Definition

The Great Awakening refers to a series of religious revivals that swept through the American colonies in the 18th century, characterized by a renewed emphasis on personal faith, emotional preaching, and the importance of individual spiritual experience. This movement played a crucial role in shaping American Protestantism and contributed to the rise of various denominations, reflecting a shift towards more personal forms of worship and away from traditional, established practices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Awakening occurred primarily in the 1730s and 1740s and is often divided into two waves: the First Great Awakening and the Second Great Awakening.
2. Revival meetings were marked by intense emotional experiences, with participants often engaging in public displays of emotion and fervent expressions of faith.
3. The movement challenged traditional religious authority by promoting the idea that individuals could have direct relationships with God without needing intermediaries like clergy.
4. It led to the growth of new denominations and increased competition among religious groups, which contributed to a more pluralistic religious landscape in America.
5. The Great Awakening also had social implications, fostering a spirit of egalitarianism and encouraging individuals to question established authority, which later influenced American political thought.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Awakening influence the development of individual religious practices in colonial America?
  • The Great Awakening significantly transformed individual religious practices by emphasizing personal faith and emotional engagement over traditional rituals. It encouraged people to seek direct connections with God, leading to a more personal approach to worship. This shift away from established authority allowed individuals to explore their spiritual experiences more freely, fostering diverse expressions of faith across various congregations.
• Evaluate the role of prominent figures such as Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield in shaping the Great Awakening's message and impact.
  • Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield were pivotal in shaping the Great Awakening's message through their powerful preaching styles and emphasis on emotional engagement. Edwards' sermons highlighted the urgency of personal conversion, while Whitefield's charismatic approach attracted large audiences. Their combined efforts not only revitalized religious fervor but also helped spread the movement across different colonies, facilitating the emergence of new denominations and altering the religious landscape.
• Analyze how the societal changes brought about by the Great Awakening set the stage for future movements in American history.
  • The societal changes initiated by the Great Awakening laid critical groundwork for future movements in American history, particularly in terms of promoting individualism and challenging established authorities. The emphasis on personal faith contributed to an environment where democratic ideals flourished, influencing movements like abolitionism and women’s rights. Furthermore, as new denominations emerged and religious pluralism grew, these changes fostered a culture of questioning authority that would resonate throughout American society during pivotal moments such as the Revolutionary War.

Related terms

Jonathan Edwards: A key figure in the First Great Awakening known for his fire-and-brimstone sermons, particularly 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God', which emphasized the need for personal conversion.

George Whitefield: An influential preacher during the Great Awakening who was known for his charismatic preaching style and ability to draw large crowds, advocating for a more emotional approach to Christianity.

Methodism: A denomination that emerged during the Great Awakening, emphasizing personal piety, social action, and the importance of individual experience in faith.