The Great Awakening

Definition

The Great Awakening was a series of religious revivals that swept through the American colonies in the 18th century, significantly influencing religious practices and beliefs. This movement emphasized personal faith and emotional experiences over traditional rituals and doctrines, leading to a surge in evangelical denominations and a questioning of established authority within churches. It played a crucial role in shaping American identity and fostering a spirit of individualism and democratic thinking.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Awakening began in the 1730s and continued into the 1740s, primarily affecting Protestant communities in New England and other regions.
2. This movement led to the establishment of new denominations such as Baptists and Methodists, which focused on personal piety and emotional worship.
3. The Great Awakening encouraged a greater sense of equality among believers, challenging established social hierarchies within churches and communities.
4. It had lasting effects on American society by promoting ideas of individual rights and self-determination that would later influence political thought during the American Revolution.
5. The Great Awakening created a divide between 'Old Lights,' who favored traditionalist approaches to worship, and 'New Lights,' who embraced revivalism and emotional expression.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Awakening challenge traditional religious authority in the American colonies?
  • The Great Awakening challenged traditional religious authority by promoting personal faith experiences over established church doctrines. Preachers like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield encouraged individuals to seek direct connections with God rather than relying solely on clerical intermediaries. This shift fostered a more democratic approach to religion, allowing common people to question the practices of established churches and encouraging a variety of new religious movements.
• Discuss the role of key figures like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield in spreading the ideas of the Great Awakening.
  • Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield played pivotal roles in spreading the ideas of the Great Awakening through their powerful sermons and charismatic preaching styles. Edwards is famous for his vivid sermons that emphasized sin and redemption, drawing large audiences who were moved by his messages. Whitefield traveled extensively throughout the colonies, attracting thousands with his engaging speeches that encouraged emotional responses and personal conversion, helping to ignite revivalist fervor across diverse communities.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Great Awakening on American society and its contributions to revolutionary sentiments.
  • The long-term impacts of the Great Awakening on American society included a shift towards individualism, which undermined traditional authority structures both within religious institutions and broader societal contexts. The emphasis on personal faith allowed for greater participation in religious life, setting the stage for democratic ideals that would influence revolutionary sentiments in the late 18th century. As colonists embraced these principles, they began to see themselves as equal individuals with rights to question authority, ultimately contributing to a collective desire for independence from British rule.

Related terms

Evangelicalism: A Christian movement emphasizing the need for personal conversion, the authority of the Bible, and the importance of sharing the faith with others.

Jonathan Edwards: A prominent preacher during the Great Awakening known for his fire-and-brimstone sermons, particularly 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,' which spurred many to seek salvation.

George Whitefield: An influential Anglican preacher who traveled throughout the colonies, known for his charismatic sermons that attracted large crowds and significantly contributed to the revivalist movement.