The Coming of the Age of Revolution
Focus Question What do people mean with the phrase “unintended consequences”?
Religious roots of education Grew from Protestant Reformation Puritan institution “Old Deluder Satan” law Saw growth of the first college in the colonies Harvard 1636 New England long took a lead in education
Slow Collapse of Puritan Structure Puritans dispersed throughout New England Saw influx of many non-Puritans Difficulty in maintaining political control “Half-Way Covenant” Salem Witch Trials
Trends of the 18 th Century Colonial America was caught up in two great trends Great Awakening The Enlightenment Trends helped propel the colonies to separation, though few saw it at the time.
Religious Revival 1740s were a period of religious revival Older churches seemed stale and moribund Seemed separate from everyday life Public found a need for change
Great Awakening Wave of religious revivals throughout the colonies Growth of a simple, personalized faith Driven by itinerant ministers Saw a growth in “New Light” faiths Helped the push for religious toleration Stressed democratic forms Stressed role of community
The Enlightenment Movement built on Reason Shed superstition in the face of Reason and logic Embrace science rather than tradition Applied reason to ideas of government (Locke)
Additional Trends Colonies saw a population boom 1700 population , population – 2.5 million Growth due to childbirth, not immigration Population doubling every 25 years Average age of a colonist was 16
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?