The Great Awakening

Definition

The Great Awakening was a series of religious revivals that swept through the American colonies during the 18th century, significantly impacting Protestant beliefs and practices. It emphasized personal faith and emotional experience over traditional, established doctrines, leading to increased religious fervor and a sense of unity among colonists. This movement was pivotal in shaping the cultural and social landscape of early America, fostering ideas of equality and individualism that would resonate in future American thought.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Awakening led to the emergence of new denominations and sects as traditional churches faced challenges from revivalist movements.
2. Emotional preaching became a hallmark of the Great Awakening, appealing to the feelings and experiences of individuals seeking spiritual renewal.
3. This movement helped lay the groundwork for American democratic ideals by promoting notions of equality among believers, regardless of social status.
4. The Great Awakening saw the rise of itinerant preachers who traveled widely to spread their message, breaking down regional and social barriers.
5. It played a crucial role in uniting diverse colonial populations under common religious experiences, fostering a sense of shared identity in pre-Revolutionary America.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Awakening influence individual beliefs about religion in the colonies?
  • The Great Awakening shifted individual beliefs about religion by prioritizing personal faith and emotional connections with God over established church doctrines. This movement encouraged colonists to seek direct experiences with the divine, leading to a more personal approach to spirituality. As a result, many individuals felt empowered to interpret their faith independently, contributing to a culture of religious diversity and experimentation.
• Analyze the impact of prominent figures such as Jonathan Edwards on the spread of ideas during the Great Awakening.
  • Jonathan Edwards played a significant role in the Great Awakening through his powerful sermons that focused on personal sin and the need for repentance. His vivid imagery and emotional appeals captivated audiences, driving home the urgency of personal salvation. Edwards' work inspired other preachers and helped spread revivalist ideas across the colonies, emphasizing direct encounters with God and laying the foundation for various new religious movements.
• Evaluate how the Great Awakening contributed to the development of American identity and democratic ideals in the years leading up to independence.
  • The Great Awakening contributed significantly to the development of American identity by fostering a sense of shared religious experience among diverse groups in the colonies. It promoted democratic ideals by emphasizing equality among believers, challenging traditional hierarchies found in established churches. This spirit of individualism and collective identity paved the way for revolutionary thoughts on governance and society, encouraging colonists to question authority and assert their rights as they moved toward independence.

Related terms

Revivalism: A movement aimed at reawakening religious fervor, often characterized by large public gatherings for worship, preaching, and emotional experiences.

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 emphasized personal sin and salvation.

Protestantism: A branch of Christianity that originated with the Reformation, focusing on individual faith and the authority of Scripture, which became central to the beliefs revived during the Great Awakening.