1. Religious Revivals in America
The Great Awakenings
Religious Revivals in America

2. What is a religious revival?
Pair-Share
What is a religious revival?
What ideas did religious groups bring to America?

3. Objective
Students will be able to determine how the First and Second Great Awakening influenced American culture.

4. Lecture: The First & Second Great Awakenings
Complete the corresponding lecture notes 4

5. Religion and America
Many religious groups have influenced American culture.
They have inspired changes in
The way people live.
The laws of the U.S.
The most famous were the Puritans who left England because of religious persecution in 1630. 5

6. The Puritans and the Protestant Work Ethic
The Puritans were hard-working because they believed that God rewarded hard work.
This became known as the Protestant work ethic.
The Protestant work ethic influenced American culture by promoting the idea of individual responsibility.
“Only you are to blame when things go wrong in your life.” 6

7. Explain your opinion in detail.
Think, Pair, Share
Do you agree that only you are to blame when things go wrong in your life?
Explain your opinion in detail. 7

8. First Great Awakening
The First Great Awakening occurred between and 1750 when England was still in control of the 13 Colonies.
People tried to revive the religious dedication of Christians in America during this time.
Passionate preachers used emotion to persuade people to rededicate themselves to God. 8

9. Key Ideas of the First Great Awakening
In the process, the First Great Awakening influenced American culture by…
Promoting the separation of church and state.
Challenging the authority of British leaders.
Stressing that everyone is equal in the eyes of God. 9

10. Film Clip: First Great Awakening10

11. Think, Write, Pair, Share
List two key ideas of the First Great Awakening that you think most influenced the American independence movement in 1776?
Explain your answer. 11

12. Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening occurred between and 1835 after the U.S. gained independence from England.
Like the First Great Awakening, people wanted to revive religious faith in America.
People attended revival meetings where they would study the Bible and hear emotional sermons. 12

13. Key Ideas of the Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening influenced American culture by…
Increasing church membership in the United States.
Encouraging people to improve themselves and their society.
Inspiring anti-slavery organizations throughout the U.S. 13

14. Think, Pair, Share
What key idea of the Second Great Awakening do you think inspired the creation of anti-slavery organizations throughout the U.S.? 14

15. Activity: Leaders of the Great Awakening
FourSquare

16. Leaders of the 1st and 2nd Great Awakening Four-Square Activity
Each student in your group will be assigned one leader of the Great Awakenings.
Person #1: Jonathan Edwards
Person #2: George Whitefield
Person #3: Charles Grandison Finney
Person #4: Ralph Waldo Emerson
Read about your assigned leader and fill out the corresponding section on your worksheet.
When you are told to do so, rotate the placards to the right and complete your worksheet.
Once you have completed the worksheet for all four leaders you will ask your questions to your group members. Person #1 goes first and then person #2… continue until all students have asked their questions. Make sure ALL team members answers at least one question. 16

17. Resource Pages

20. #1 – Jonathan Edwards
Edwards became the most famous preacher of the First Great Awakening.
Like other preachers, he used emotion to persuade his audience.
He believed that in order to be saved by God you must feel your sinfulness, then feel God’s love for you.
His most famous sermon was called, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”
Create a Level 1 Questions about Edwards.

21. #2 – George Whitefield
Whitefield was a preacher from England during the First Great Awakening.
Between 1738 and 1769 Whitefield took seven journeys to the American colonies.
Whitefield was known for giving emotional sermons that would bring people to tears.
Create a Level 2 Questions about Whitefield.

22. #3 – Charles Grandison Finney
Finney was a preacher during the Second Great Awakening.
Finney stressed that people must improve themselves and their society.
Finney was involved the anti-slavery movement.
During his sermons, Finney would often condemn slavery.
Create a Level 3 Questions about Finney.

23. #4 – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson was a former minister during the Second Great Awakening.
Emerson developed a philosophy called transcendentalism.
Transcendentalists believed that truth can be found in nature and in a person’s own emotions.
Create a Level 1 Questions about Emerson.