1. The First Great Awakening 1730
AIM: How did the Great Awakening influence the development of American society?

2. I. Great Awakening

3. A. Origins Religious movement began in Europe in 1730’s.
Emotional and revivalist style of religion
Began in Middle Colonies, up to N.E. and then South: encompassed all of N.America

5. Evangelical
Focused on “rebirth” through religious conversion.

6. B. Jonathon Edwards
Local Congregationalist pastor, Northhampton MA
God’s grace v. eternal damnation
Individuals must expres remorse and penance.

7. “Hell was paved with the skulls of unbaptized children.”
Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God
God will forgive those who show remorse

8. C. George Whitefield
From England, traveled through colonies hosting revivals
Led dramatic performances
Message similar to Edwards but better delivery
(32:52 PBS God in America)

10. II. Impact of Great Awakening
A. Religious Impact
Preaching styles change, undermine older clergy.
Increased # of Churches: Methodists, Baptists
"Old Lights“ :New England: MA, RI, NY, PA
"New Lights", people who followed the Great Awakenings, were in the southern colonies: VA, NC, SC, GA
4. Ministers lose “unquestioning authority”

11. B. Political Impact
Paved the way for many ideas of the American Revolution!
Power, religious and political, resides in the hands of the people.
DEMOCRATIZATION OF AMERICA

12. C. Educational Impact
New colleges founded to train New Light preachers.
Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Rutgers, Dartmouth

13. Footnote: Demise of Jonathon Edwards