Great Awakening

Definition

The Great Awakening was a series of religious revivals that swept through the American colonies during the 18th century, characterized by an emphasis on personal faith, emotional expression in worship, and a challenge to traditional authority. This movement played a significant role in shaping the educational landscape by encouraging the establishment of new institutions and promoting religious education as a means to foster moral and civic virtue among citizens.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Awakening began in the 1730s and continued into the 1740s, significantly impacting various religious denominations, especially Protestantism.
2. Key figures such as Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield were instrumental in preaching during this period, drawing large crowds and emphasizing individual spiritual experiences.
3. The movement encouraged the founding of new colleges and schools, aimed at training clergy who would carry forward the ideals of religious education and personal piety.
4. The Great Awakening fostered a sense of shared identity among colonists, contributing to a burgeoning American culture that valued independent thought and personal conviction.
5. The emphasis on education during this time led to increased literacy rates as communities recognized the need for individuals to read religious texts and engage with theological ideas.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Awakening influence the perception of education in colonial America?
  • The Great Awakening transformed how people viewed education by linking it closely to religious faith and moral development. As new religious ideas emerged, there was a growing recognition of the importance of education for understanding scripture and fostering personal convictions. This led to the establishment of new schools and colleges designed to train ministers who would promote these values within their communities.
• In what ways did the Great Awakening challenge traditional authority structures within religious communities?
  • The Great Awakening challenged established religious authorities by promoting a more personal approach to faith that often contradicted traditional practices. Preachers emphasized individual experiences over institutional doctrines, encouraging congregants to question established leaders and seek their own spiritual truths. This shift not only changed how religion was practiced but also fostered a sense of autonomy among believers, leading to divisions within congregations and the rise of new denominations.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Great Awakening on American education and society as a whole.
  • The long-term impacts of the Great Awakening on American education were profound, laying the groundwork for a system that valued both secular and religious instruction. It helped catalyze increased literacy rates as communities understood the importance of reading for personal faith. Additionally, it contributed to a broader cultural shift toward individualism and democratic ideals, which played a critical role in shaping American society leading up to the Revolution and beyond. The emphasis on personal faith and questioning authority resonated with Enlightenment ideas, creating an environment conducive to social change.

Related terms

Revivalism: A religious movement aimed at reawakening faith and commitment among believers, often through passionate preaching and emotional worship experiences.

Sermons: Religious speeches delivered by ministers that conveyed spiritual messages and called for personal reflection, often central to the gatherings during the Great Awakening.

New Light Movement: A faction that emerged during the Great Awakening advocating for innovative and heartfelt expressions of faith, contrasting with the established 'Old Light' religious traditions.