Great Awakening

Definition

The Great Awakening was a series of religious revivals in the American colonies during the 18th century, characterized by a surge in evangelical fervor and a call for personal faith and spiritual renewal. This movement significantly influenced the development of Black Christianity, as it emphasized emotional expression in worship and sought to empower enslaved African Americans through religious experience, ultimately fostering a sense of community and identity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The First Great Awakening took place in the 1730s and 1740s, while the Second Great Awakening occurred in the early 19th century, both significantly shaping religious life in America.
2. Preachers like George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards played key roles in spreading revivalist messages, often addressing both white and Black congregations.
3. The Great Awakening allowed enslaved people to create their own forms of worship, blending African traditions with Christian beliefs, leading to unique expressions of faith.
4. The emergence of Black churches during this period provided spaces for social activism and community support among African Americans.
5. The impact of the Great Awakening contributed to shaping American identity by promoting individualism and challenging traditional authority structures within both church and society.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Awakening influence the development of Black Christianity during its revivals?
  • The Great Awakening had a profound impact on Black Christianity as it encouraged emotional expression in worship and provided a space for enslaved individuals to experience religious revival. Preachers like George Whitefield spoke to mixed-race congregations, which allowed Black worshippers to find their voices within the church. This empowerment helped form distinct African American religious communities that blended African traditions with Christian practices, fostering both spiritual growth and social cohesion among enslaved people.
• Evaluate how Richard Allen's founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Church was influenced by the ideas emerging from the Great Awakening.
  • Richard Allen's founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) was deeply rooted in the themes of individualism and personal faith emphasized by the Great Awakening. The revivalist spirit inspired Allen to create a separate church that addressed the spiritual needs of African Americans who were often marginalized in white congregations. By establishing the AME Church, Allen promoted a sense of community and agency among Black worshippers, allowing them to practice their faith freely while advocating for social justice and civil rights.
• Assess the long-term impact of the Great Awakening on American identity and its role in shaping broader social movements.
  • The long-term impact of the Great Awakening on American identity is significant as it instilled values of individualism and personal freedom within religious practice. The emphasis on personal faith and emotional expression helped to empower marginalized groups, particularly African Americans, contributing to early movements for abolition and civil rights. As these revivals challenged traditional authority structures within both church and society, they laid foundational beliefs that would later resonate through various social movements throughout American history, highlighting a continuous struggle for equality and justice.

Related terms

Evangelicalism: A worldwide transdenominational movement within Protestant Christianity that emphasizes the authority of the Bible, the necessity of personal conversion, and the importance of sharing the Christian message.

Revivalism: A renewed interest in religious fervor that often involves large gatherings or meetings where individuals are encouraged to experience emotional conversion and recommitment to faith.

Methodism: A denomination within Protestant Christianity that originated in the 18th century, emphasizing personal faith, social justice, and the importance of community in worship.