1. The Great Awakening
1730s-1770s

2. I. Description A. The Great Awakening was: 1. Renewed Christian faith
2. Part of a widespread movement that
swept through England, Germany
& Scotland
3. Goal was to counter Enlightenment’s
emphasis on reason, science & nature
4. Beginning of Evangelicalism

3. I. Description a. a combination of prayer meetings
4. Ministers held revivals
a. a combination of prayer meetings
b. sermons (preaching)
c. witnessing (testimonials)
d. music
e. usually held outside

4. Baptist revial

5. I. Description B. Stressed: 1. piety (devoutness, faithfulness)
2. born again (to start over with a
clean slate)
3. “emotionally & spiritually reuniting
with God”
C. Spread throughout the colonies

6. II. Famous Awakening Preachers
A. Jonathan Edwards
1. emotionally charged sermons
2. used vivid descriptions of HELL
3. “Sinners in the
hands of an angry GOD”

7. Jonathan edwards’ sermons

8. II. Famous Awakening Preachers
B. George Whitfield
1. English preacher
2. Ordained/ trained as an Anglican
minister
3. Established Methodists Church
4. Theatrical performance
5. emphasis on salvation
6. Openly criticized other churches

9. George whitfield

10. II. Famous Awakening Preachers
C. William Tennent
1. Scottish immigrant
2. Presbyterian
3. heart felt, emotional preaching
4. wanted to train others
5. established “Log College”, which
became Princeton University

11. William tennant

12. Iv. impact of the Great Awakening
A. Questioning of traditional Churches (Church of England, Anglican, )
& their organization (hierarchy)
B. New factions (splinter groups) form
1. Baptists
2. Methodists
3. Presbyterians

13. IV. Impact of the great awakening
C. Baptists include disenfranchised groups:
1. Women, eventually women will take
a dominant role in the abolitionist
movement (End Slavery)
2. Poor Farmers

14. IV. Impact of the great awakening
3. Enslaved & Free African-Americans
a. New churches welcomed African-
Americans, slave & free
b. stressed equality at “Jesus 'Feet”
c. African-Americans could take active
roles & organize
d. Brought in African influences, such
as music, dance & religious rituals

15. African-americans

16. IV. Impact of the great awakening
4. Inspired the American Revolution
a. Empowered people to question
religious authority
b. Anger over religious suppression by
English monarchy after the Glorious
Revolution
c. Created unity & a national Identity
among many colonists

17. IV. Impact of the great awakening
A. Still dominant churches today
B. Heavy influences politics
C. Social Mores
D. Inspired the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Great Awakenings