Great Awakening

Definition

The Great Awakening refers to a series of religious revivals that swept through the American colonies in the 18th century, emphasizing emotional faith and personal connection to God. This movement was characterized by widespread preaching, the establishment of new denominations, and a challenge to traditional authority within established churches. It played a significant role in shaping the cultural and social landscape of America, promoting ideas of individualism and spiritual egalitarianism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Awakening led to the growth of evangelical denominations, such as Baptists and Methodists, which emphasized personal faith over traditional rituals.
2. It encouraged individuals to seek personal relationships with God rather than relying solely on church authority, promoting greater religious autonomy.
3. The movement had a profound impact on education, leading to the establishment of new schools and colleges to train ministers and promote religious teachings.
4. The Great Awakening also played a role in unifying colonists across regional boundaries, laying groundwork for a shared American identity in the years leading up to the Revolution.
5. Revival meetings were often held outdoors, attracting people from different backgrounds and fostering a sense of community among participants.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Awakening influence individualism in American society?
  • The Great Awakening significantly influenced individualism by encouraging personal connections with God and challenging traditional church authority. This movement promoted the idea that anyone could seek salvation without mediation from established clergy, which empowered individuals to take charge of their spiritual lives. As a result, this shift not only transformed religious practices but also contributed to broader cultural changes that valued personal experience and autonomy.
• Discuss how preachers like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield contributed to the spread of the Great Awakening.
  • Preachers like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield were instrumental in spreading the Great Awakening through their passionate and engaging sermons. Edwards' vivid imagery and urgent messages resonated with congregants, while Whitefield's charismatic style drew large crowds, making him a national figure. Their ability to connect emotionally with listeners not only revitalized existing congregations but also helped establish new ones, fostering a wave of religious fervor across the colonies.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the Great Awakening on American religious life and social structure.
  • The long-term impacts of the Great Awakening on American religious life included the rise of diverse denominations that emphasized personal faith and emotional worship. This movement fostered a culture of religious pluralism, allowing for various beliefs to coexist and encouraging participation in religious life beyond traditional church structures. Additionally, it contributed to a more democratic social structure by promoting ideas of equality before God, which would later resonate with Enlightenment ideals and fuel revolutionary sentiments as Americans sought greater autonomy from British authority.

Related terms

Jonathan Edwards: A prominent preacher during the Great Awakening known for his fire-and-brimstone sermons, particularly 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,' which emphasized the need for personal conversion and the reality of hell.

George Whitefield: An influential Anglican preacher whose dynamic preaching style helped spread the Great Awakening across the American colonies, attracting large crowds and promoting a more emotional form of worship.

Religious pluralism: The coexistence of multiple religious beliefs and practices within a society, which was fostered during the Great Awakening as new denominations emerged and challenged established churches.