The Great Awakening v. The Enlightenment

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Religion in Colonial America

Puritanism dominant early in New England, but other Protestant churches start to form

The Anglican Church is rooted in the South

Catholics and Jews are few, but distrusted Some religious leaders are concerned

with the decline in piety and religion

The Great Awakening

First mass social movement in American History (religious revival)

More religious focus, excitement, seriousness, and fear

challenged pre-destination

Jonathan Edwards

Famous preacher of “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

Most famous and influential preacher of the Great Awakening (also very scary)

George Whitefield

Famous open air preacher of the revival- spoke to crowds as high as 30,000

Preached about the religious power of the common man

Effect of the Great Awakening

Split Denominations and created competitiveness among churches

Brought religion to those who had lost it New Lights v. Old Lights Converted many women, gave women

more power Encouraged missionary work with slaves

and native americans.

More Effects

Helped establish the revolutionary mindset and the willingness to challenge authority

Led to the creation of new light colleges: Dartmouth, Brown, Rutgers, College of New Jersey (Princeton), King’s College (Columbia), Brown

The Enlightenment

Movement that focused on Reason and Science as the means to achieve progress and improve society

Enlightenment also worked to undermine and challenge traditional authority

Science and Reason could compete with religion and faith, but not always

John Locke

His enlightenment ideas were very important in challenging British authority

The right to rebel and the contract theory of government

Ben Franklin

A great American thinker of The Enlightenment

Effects of Enlightenment in America

More focus on Education Technological and medical advancements

in America Contributed to important principles in our

founding documents (Declaration, Constitution)

The GA and Enlightenment

They help to create the attitude necessary for the Revolution

Challenging Authority Help the colonists to create their own

unique societies and character