1. American Culture Section 3.3

2. Main Idea Enlightenment ideas and the Great Awakening brought new ways of thinking to the colonists, and a unique American culture developed.

3. Great Awakening Focus on work and wealth distracted colonists away from their religious faiths. In the 1730s colonists began to rediscover their spiritual freedom. The GA became a major religious revival. Preacher Jonathan Edwards lead the revivals by emphasizing a personal relationship with God. Edwards also scared Christians into moral behavior by describing the terrors of hell.

4. Revivals

5. Great Awakening Importance – Increase in church membership – New Protestant denominations (Methodists, Baptists) – Founding of new colleges – United many colonists

6. Enlightenment New scientific advancements in the 1500s and 1600s + discovery of the New World lead to challenges in traditional European ways of thinking. Philosophers in the 1700s began to question religion, politics, and the economics of the time.

7. John Locke Theorized the idea that all humans are born with “natural rights” that no king or clergy (church leader) can morally deny. Also pioneered the social contract theory: government should protect citizens rights or be overthrown.

8. Baron de Montesquieu Concerned with tyrannical kings, he suggested separation of powers. Instead of an all powerful king, government should be divided into executive, legislative, and judicial branches to prevent the abuse of power.

9. Other Enlightenment Ideas Changes to crime and punishment Diesm is the belief in a God that created the earth and it’s natural laws, but was not concerned with human behavior. Educational reforms Rights for women and minorities.

10. Enlightenment in America A young Thomas Jefferson read the philosophers work with intrigue. He, along with other leaders would use these ideas when creating our new nation. The best known colonial American was Benjamin Franklin. Franklin experimented with science as well as publishing books. Franklin’s worldwide fame would be crucial for the colonies during the Revolution.