Describe the Great Awakening and the impact it had on colonial America.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Great_Awakening
The Great Awakening was a religious revival that took place in colonial America during the 18th century. It's important to note that to understand the impact of the Great Awakening, we need to first understand what it was.
To describe the Great Awakening, we can break it down into several key points:
1. Origin and Key Figures: The Great Awakening was influenced by a number of religious leaders, such as George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards. These individuals preached about the need for a personal relationship with God and a return to a more evangelical and emotional form of Christianity.
2. Revivalist Movements: The Great Awakening was characterized by mass gatherings and revivalist movements. It involved charismatic preachers who traveled extensively, delivering passionate and emotionally charged sermons. These preachers aimed to awaken slumbering congregations and inspire a more fervent devotion to God.
3. Religious Enthusiasm and Emotionalism: The Great Awakening emphasized the role of individual experience and personal conversion. It encouraged people to actively examine their beliefs, engage in heartfelt prayer, and experience emotional encounters with God. The movement placed less emphasis on ritual and tradition and more on an individual's inner faith and emotions.
Now that we have a basic understanding of the Great Awakening, let's explore its impact on colonial America:
1. Religious Pluralism: The Great Awakening led to the proliferation of new religious denominations. As individuals sought personal religious experiences, they increasingly turned away from established churches and formed new congregations. This resulted in a diversification of religious beliefs and a growing religious pluralism in colonial America.
2. Social and Political Impact: The Great Awakening challenged established authority figures, both religious and political. The movement empowered individuals and encouraged them to critically examine the existing social order. This, in turn, had a significant impact on the American Revolution, as the desire for personal liberty and independence was influenced by the awakening of individual religious freedoms.
3. Educational and Cultural Impact: The Great Awakening fueled the growth of education in colonial America. New colleges and universities, such as Princeton and Dartmouth, were established to train ministers for the movement. Additionally, the movement promoted literacy and the spread of printed materials, fostering a culture of reading and intellectual curiosity.
In summary, the Great Awakening was a religious revival that had a profound impact on colonial America. It sparked religious pluralism, challenged established authority, influenced the American Revolution, promoted education, and shaped cultural values.