1. THE GREAT AWAKENING Mr. Sandford AP American History

2. Definition n “Series of religious revivals that swept over the American Colonies about the middle of the 18th century. It resulted in doctrinal changes and influenced social and political thought.

3. The Background n The small farms and plantations spread out making organized religion difficult. n Authoritarian structures of any sort-- governmental or ecclesiastical--met with great resistance. As a result, by the second and third generations, the vast majority of the population were not members of the church. n The Enlightenment in Europe.

4. Basic Principles n Traditional religious formulations were under pressure. Human beings had the ability to discover the secrets of the universe and had some control over their own destiny - THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT n If human beings could in fact think the thoughts of God he could “find” God. One's destiny was solely in God's hands not in a pastor’s. Your personal relationship with God was very important.

5. New England n In New England it was started (1734) by the rousing preaching of Jonathan Edwards. n "You can't control salvation, but if you try, God will aid your salvation” – Good deeds, etc. n Anyone can "Press into the Kingdom". "It was not an impossible thing."

6. Middle Colonies n In 1730, a Scottish evangelist, Gilbert Tennant arrived and challenged the beliefs in Penn. n He challenged the church’s requirements and not finding God. n He established Princeton University, clergy training.

7. Southern Colonies n During trips after 1739, George Whitefield preached in the Southern n He preached about sinful men and women were totally dependent for salvation on the mercy of a pure, all-powerful God, not a pastor. n He gestured and sometimes weeping. He turned the sermon into a theatrical performance.

8. n Using the Enlightenment in Europe, People began to take “control” of their own faith and religion. n Many argued that they could find God on their own without the church/pastor and their “requirements’ from getting in the way. n This questioning of the church leadership led to questioning of other leaders.

9. The Great Awakening Emotion and shrieking are signs of true faith, sincerity and conversion. Emphasis on feeling Salvation by faith alone. Not earned by good deeds. Puritanism Calm, serious and formal Emphasis on reason A virtuous life

10. Opposition? n Conservative and moderate clergymen questioned and charged that disorder and discord attended the revivals. n They questioned ministers, like Whitefield, who traveled, preaching and criticizing the local clergy. n They took greater exception when women and African Americans shed their subordinate social status long enough to exhort religious gatherings.

11. Split in “Awakening” Clergy n The movement split along the lines of OLD LIGHTS and NEW LIGHTS. n NEW LIGHTS - churches were still full of sinful and unconverted members. They put down book learning to “find salvation” n Created Rutgers (1766), Princeton (1746) and Brown (1760’s).

12. Impact n The movement brought independence from the clergy. n The movement pushed people to “shop” around for preachers that suited them. n Outburst of religious activity toward the Native Americans n Encouraged a democratic spirit in Religion which spilled into government. n As New Lights became more erratic, people went back to traditional.