The Great Awakening

Let’s Make Some Connections

Glorious Revolution 1688 = power struggle in government How did this impact the colonies? “POWER STRUGGLE”

ENLIGHTENMENT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TIME PERIOD- The Age of Enlightenment (or simply the Enlightenment or Age of Reason) was a cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe and the American colonies. Its purpose was to reform society using reason (rather than tradition, faith and revelation) and advance knowledge through science. It promoted science and intellectual interchange and opposed superstition, intolerance and some abuses by church and state. Baruch Spinoza (1632–1677), John Locke (1632–1704), Pierre Bayle (1647–1706), physicist Isaac Newton (1643–1727), philosopher Voltaire (1694–1778) Rousseau (1712–1778), Montesquieu (1689– 1755) ALSO AMERICANS-- Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson REPUBLICANISM, LIBERALISM, DEISM—Influences this had on religion and the church

Now- What was the Great Awakening? Great Awakening is referred to as a period of religious revival in American religious history. First of four waves of increased religious enthusiasm beginning began in the 1720s and lasted to about was characterized by widespread revivals led by evangelical Protestant ministers, a sharp increase of interest in religion, a profound sense of conviction and redemption on the part of those affected, an increase in evangelical church membership, and the formation of new religious movements and denominations pastors sought a strong emotional response from their congregations Attempt to return to Puritanism- (kind of)

A little extra- just because! Half-Way Covenant a form of partial church membership created by New England in 1662 promoted in particular by the Reverend Solomon Stoddard, who felt that the people of the English colonies were drifting away from their original religious purpose First-generation settlers were beginning to die out, while their children and grandchildren often expressed less religious piety, and more desire for material wealth. Full membership in the tax-supported Puritan church required an account of a conversion experience, and only persons in full membership could have their own children baptized. Second and third generations, and later immigrants, did not have the same conversion experiences. These individuals were thus not accepted as members despite leading otherwise pious and upright Christian lives. provided a partial church membership for the children and grandchildren of church members. Those who accepted the Covenant and agreed to follow the creed within the church could participate in the Lord's supper. Crucially, the half-way covenant provided that the children of holders of the covenant could be baptized in the church. These partial members, however, couldn't accept communion or vote Puritan preachers hoped that this plan would maintain some of the church's influence in society, and that these 'half-way members' would see the benefits of full membership, be exposed to teachings and piety which would lead to the "born again" experience and eventually take the full oath of allegiance.