THE GREAT AWAKENING

A Religious Revival

Changes the Hearts and Minds

Of the American Colonists

RELIGION BEFORE THE GREAT AWAKENING In the early colonial period,

especially in New England, religion was a very important part of the colonists’ lives. The church was at the center of every town, and church membership was required. Only church members could vote or hold public office, and people who were not church members were persecuted.

PURITAN CHURCHES

The lives of the Puritans were centered around the church. They were taught that they were born sinners, and that God had already pre-determined if they were going to heaven or not. They constantly worried that they were not good enough, or that others could tell that they were unworthy in the eyes of God.

100 YEARS LATER… By the 1730’s, the colonists’ enthusiasm for church

services had diminished. Church membership was declining throughout the colonies. Those who did attend services felt that church had become dry, lifeless and boring.

THE GREAT AWAKENING Sometime between the 1730’s

and the 1740’s, a new religious movement began in New England, and soon swept through the American colonies!

It was called a “revivalist” movement because in a religious sense, people felt as if they were coming back to life! Many people felt as if they were just waking up to the idea of having a relationship with God, and the power and comfort of the church. For this reason, the movement became known as the “Great Awakening.”

The new ministers of the Great Awakening tried their best to make their sermons interesting and exciting! They used loud voices, vivid images, and wild gestures as they preached, and they encouraged people to express their emotions in order to feel a greater intimacy with God!

GEORGE WHITEFIELD George Whitefield was a London

minister who preached all over the American colonies, but especially in the South.

While preaching, he would gesture dramatically, weep openly, and use his gripping theatrical performance to capture the attention of his followers.

He was very popular, and would often draw audiences that were so large he needed to preach outdoors.

He carried a wooden box with him at all times, so if he ever felt the need to preach, he could just turn the box over and stand on it!

JONATHAN EDWARDS Jonathan Edwards was a New England

preacher who used vivid, terrifying images of Hell to scare people into heeding the Bible’s teachings.

His most famous sermon was titled, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”

Edwards did not use gestures or a loud voice. Instead, he moved people with his words, telling detailed stories that captured their attentions

Many people who listened to Edwards had physical reactions to his sermons, including fainting, seizures, trembling, groans and cries of terror!

NOT EVERYONE LIKED THE GREAT AWAKENING

Opponents of the Great Awakening were called the “Old Lights.”

Advocates of the Great Awakening were called the “New Lights.”

THE IMPACT OF THE GREAT AWAKENING

ON THE AMERICAN COLONIES

1. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP INCREASED

Thousands of people returned to church once it became an interesting and exciting place to be!

2. MANY NEW KINDS OF CHURCHES WERE CREATED

After the colonists had been to revival meetings, many decided that their beliefs had changed. They formed new Christian denominations centered around those new beliefs, such as Baptists and Methodists.

3. THE GREAT AWAKENING CROSSED CLASS AND RACIAL

BARRIERS Many different kinds of people were attracted

to revival meetings. They were popular with rich people and poor people, men and women, and people of all different races and ethnicities.

This was the first time that so many different types of people had something in common.

4. MANY NEW COLLEGES WERE CREATED

The Great Awakening led to the founding of many new colleges as places where new ministers could be trained.

College of New Jersey (Princeton University): 1746 King’s College (Columbia University): 1754 Rhode Island College (Brown University): 1764 Queen’s College (Rutgers University): 1766 Dartmouth College: 1769

5. THE GREAT AWAKENING BROUGHT ALL OF THE THIRTEEN

COLONIES TOGETHER The religious revival was the first experience that was shared

by all three sections of the American Colonies: New England, the Middle Colonies, and the South.

This experience gave all of the colonies something that they had in common, and they began to feel less like British subjects, and more like “Americans.”

By 1775, even though the colonists did not all share the same beliefs, they shared a common vision of freedom from British control.

6. THE GREAT AWAKENING TAUGHT COLONISTS TO QUESTION AUTHORITY

Revivalism had taught the colonists to be bold! If they didn’t like their churches or their preachers, the colonists demanded changes, or went off to start their own church somewhere else!

The colonists realized that the religious power was in their hands. In a few more decades, political power will be in their hands as well! This will lead to the American Revolution!

1746“I don’t like my preacher……I think we should get a new one!”“I don’t like my church……I think we should start a new one!”

1776“I don’t like this government…..let’s create a new one!”