The Enlightenment The gentry – (well educated) merchants, ministers, and self- improving artisans, and farmers embraced a wider world of ideas and information The gentry – (well educated) merchants, ministers, and self- improving artisans, and farmers embraced a wider world of ideas and information For readers and thinkers an age of optimism and progress was dawning. For readers and thinkers an age of optimism and progress was dawning.

The Enlightenment Combination of confidence in human reason and skepticism toward beliefs not founded on science or strict logic Combination of confidence in human reason and skepticism toward beliefs not founded on science or strict logic Major source of Enlightenment thought was English physicist Sir Isaac Newton ( ) explained how gravity ruled the universe Major source of Enlightenment thought was English physicist Sir Isaac Newton ( ) explained how gravity ruled the universe

Sir Isaac Newton

The Enlightenment Benjamin Franklin embodied the Enlightenment Benjamin Franklin embodied the Enlightenment Franklin organized merchants and artisan who shared his love of learning into the Junto (reading discussion group). Franklin organized merchants and artisan who shared his love of learning into the Junto (reading discussion group). At age 40 Franklin retired and devoted himself to science and community service. At age 40 Franklin retired and devoted himself to science and community service.

The Enlightenment Enlightenment grew first in cities Enlightenment grew first in cities Franklin organized the American Philosophical Society, in 1743 to encourage “all philosophical experiments that let light into the nature of things, tend to increase the power of man over matter, and multiply the conveniences and pleasures of life.” Franklin organized the American Philosophical Society, in 1743 to encourage “all philosophical experiments that let light into the nature of things, tend to increase the power of man over matter, and multiply the conveniences and pleasures of life.” By 1769, the society had grown to include amateur scientist from all of the colonies. By 1769, the society had grown to include amateur scientist from all of the colonies.

The Enlightenment John Locke in 1690, led many to embrace “reasonable” and “rational” religion with his Essay Concerning Human Understanding. John Locke in 1690, led many to embrace “reasonable” and “rational” religion with his Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Locke describe religion as being acquired through toilsome investigation not being inborn. Locke describe religion as being acquired through toilsome investigation not being inborn. Harmony and order of nature defends God’s existence. Harmony and order of nature defends God’s existence. Deists concluded God after creating a perfect universe did not miraculously intervene in its workings. Deists concluded God after creating a perfect universe did not miraculously intervene in its workings.

The Great Awakening 1739 an outpouring of European Protestant revivalism spread to British North America an outpouring of European Protestant revivalism spread to British North America. Crossed lines of class, gender, and even race. Crossed lines of class, gender, and even race. Caused an anxiety and longing among ordinary people about sin and longing for salvation. Caused an anxiety and longing among ordinary people about sin and longing for salvation. Some revivalists were intellectuals, comfortable with Enlightenment ideas, but required emotional commitment. Some revivalists were intellectuals, comfortable with Enlightenment ideas, but required emotional commitment.

The Great Awakening Ministers drew audiences into outbursts of religious fervor. Ministers drew audiences into outbursts of religious fervor. Jonathan Edwards, a Congregationalist led revivals in Massachusetts in Jonathan Edwards, a Congregationalist led revivals in Massachusetts in “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

Jonathan Edwards

Great Awakening George Whitefield George Whitefield Overpowered his audiences Overpowered his audiences Inspired thousands to seek salvation Inspired thousands to seek salvation Most converts were young adults Most converts were young adults Numbers joining the church jumped from 630 in 1740 to 3,217 after Whitefield toured in Numbers joining the church jumped from 630 in 1740 to 3,217 after Whitefield toured in 1741.

Great Awakening Whitefield invited Gilbert Tennent (William’s son) to follow him. Whitefield invited Gilbert Tennent (William’s son) to follow him. “to blow up the divine flame lately kindled there” “to blow up the divine flame lately kindled there” James Davenport was later expelled from Boston. He claimed the clergy were leading the people to hell James Davenport was later expelled from Boston. He claimed the clergy were leading the people to hell Both Davenport and Tennent exposed the divisions of colonial society. Both Davenport and Tennent exposed the divisions of colonial society.

Great Awakening “New Lights” (revivalists) and “Old Lights” (rationalist clergy) “New Lights” (revivalists) and “Old Lights” (rationalist clergy) Lines hardened between the two after Whitefield’s and Garden’s exchange Lines hardened between the two after Whitefield’s and Garden’s exchange Books such as Gilbert Tennent’s The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry, sewed doubts as to the salvation and therefore leadership of most Presbyterian ministers Books such as Gilbert Tennent’s The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry, sewed doubts as to the salvation and therefore leadership of most Presbyterian ministers

Great Awakening Old Lights accused their rivals of an epidemic of the “enthusiasm”. Old Lights accused their rivals of an epidemic of the “enthusiasm”. The two rivals did not reunite until 1758 when revivalists won. The two rivals did not reunite until 1758 when revivalists won. The Great Awakening peaked in The Great Awakening peaked in Virginia 1755 Virginia 1755

Great Awakening Long Term Effects Long Term Effects Revival marked a decline in the influence of Quakers (other established denominations decreased) Presbyterian and Baptist grew. Revival marked a decline in the influence of Quakers (other established denominations decreased) Presbyterian and Baptist grew. Stimulated the founding of new colleges Stimulated the founding of new colleges Emphasis on piety over intellectual learning as the key to God’s grace led some Africans and Native Americans to combine aspects of traditional religion and Christianity. Emphasis on piety over intellectual learning as the key to God’s grace led some Africans and Native Americans to combine aspects of traditional religion and Christianity. Samson Occom native American preacher Samson Occom native American preacher

Great Awakening Added to significance of white women’s religious prominence Added to significance of white women’s religious prominence Mostly Baptist and Congregationalists, granted women the right to speak and vote in church meetings. Mostly Baptist and Congregationalists, granted women the right to speak and vote in church meetings. Some women even lead groups that included men. Some women even lead groups that included men. Sarah Osborn of Newport – private prayer society that included both men and women, and black slaves. Sarah Osborn of Newport – private prayer society that included both men and women, and black slaves.