Great Awakening

Definition

The Great Awakening was a series of religious revivals that swept through the American colonies in the 18th century, emphasizing personal faith, emotional experiences, and a direct relationship with God. This movement significantly impacted the landscape of Christianity in America, encouraging a more individualistic and experiential approach to faith, which shaped future religious practices and beliefs.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Awakening is often divided into two main periods: the First Great Awakening (1730s-1750s) and the Second Great Awakening (early 19th century).
2. Key figures of the First Great Awakening included George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards, who were known for their passionate preaching and ability to draw large crowds.
3. The movement challenged established religious authorities and promoted the idea that personal experience with God was more important than adherence to traditional church structures.
4. The Great Awakening contributed to the rise of new denominations, including Baptists and Methodists, leading to increased religious diversity in America.
5. It also laid the groundwork for the American Revolution by fostering a sense of independence and questioning authority among the colonists.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Awakening influence individual perceptions of faith and religious authority in colonial America?
  • The Great Awakening shifted individual perceptions of faith by promoting personal experience with God over traditional religious practices. This movement encouraged people to seek their own relationship with the divine, often outside established church structures. As a result, many began to question the authority of clergy and organized religion, fostering a more democratized approach to spirituality that emphasized personal belief.
• In what ways did the Great Awakening contribute to the emergence of new religious denominations in America?
  • The Great Awakening sparked a wave of religious enthusiasm that led to the formation of new denominations like Baptists and Methodists. As individuals sought a more personal connection with God, these groups embraced revivalist preaching styles and emotional worship, attracting followers who felt disconnected from established churches. This increase in diversity allowed for a broader spectrum of beliefs and practices to flourish in America.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Great Awakening on American society, particularly regarding its impact on social movements and national identity.
  • The long-term effects of the Great Awakening on American society were profound, as it not only transformed religious practices but also influenced social movements such as abolitionism and women's rights. By promoting individualism and questioning traditional authority, the movement helped cultivate a sense of independence that resonated with emerging national identity. This spirit of reform and self-determination would later inspire various social change efforts throughout American history, reinforcing values central to democracy.

Related terms

Revivalism: A religious movement aimed at reawakening faith and revitalizing spiritual fervor among believers, often characterized by enthusiastic preaching and emotional worship.

Methodism:

A denomination founded by John Wesley in the 18th century that emphasized personal holiness, social justice, and the importance of a disciplined spiritual life as part of the Great Awakening.

Jonathan Edwards: A prominent preacher during the First Great Awakening known for his fire-and-brimstone sermons, such as 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,' which played a key role in igniting revivalist fervor.