2. Religion Fades Religious fanaticism had died down by 1700
Most active attendance at church was female
Most settlers had little to no access to organized religion
Organized religions feared they were losing control (and souls)

3. Response to the Enlightenment
European intellectual movement
Favored a return to ancient philosophy (Greeks & Romans)
Emphasized rationalism over emotionalism or spirituality
REASON OVER FAITH

4. Response to Enlightenment
Between (1720s- 1740s) a religious revival occurred, probably as a response to the Enlightenment
Started in Europe, quickly spread to the colonies
Started by traditional churches in an attempt to invigorate and increase membership

5. Keys to Great Awakening
By emphasizing the power of an emotional connection and personal inspiration from God, religious fervor spread across the colonies (first in New England and traveling south)
Large revival meetings began with itinerant preachers often criticizing the traditional churches
“New Light” preachers often attracted large crowds due to their speaking ability

6. Itinerant Preachers Jonathan Edwards (Congregationalist)
Preached a severe, predetermined doctrines of Calvinism
Famous for his fiery, graphic descriptions of Hell
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (1741)

7. The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider, or some
loathsome insect, over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked; his wrath towards
you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the
fire; he is of purer eyes than to bear to have you in his sight; you are ten thousand times so
abominable in his eyes as the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours…there is nothing else that is to be given as a reason why you don’t this very moment drop down into hell.
Johnathan Edwards, Sinners in the hands of an Angry God

8. Itinerant Preachers George Whitefield (Methodist)
Based sermons on emotion & spirituality (like Southern Evangelicals of today)
Came over from England and was key in bringing the Great Awakening to the colonies

9. Effects of the Great Awakening on Religion in America
Increased religious fervor in the colonies
Weakened organized religion
Religious services changed dramatically with the addition of emotional public admissions of sin and sinners being “saved” in front of the congregation

10. Effects of Great Awakening on the American Colonies
First time colonists from all 13 colonies shared a common experience
Affected all the colonies regardless of social class, national origin, or occupation
New sects and divisions with the Protestant faith arose: Baptists and Methodists
First “American”
Experience!!!

11. Effects of Great Awakening on the American Colonies (cont.)
Demand for “New Light” ministers led to increased need for Dartmouth, Rutgers, Princeton, Brown, Harvard, and Yale
Emotional and personal connection with God came to define the American form of worship
The questioning of religious leadership led many to question political leadership next

12. Effects of Great Awakening on Slavery
Brought Christianity to slaves
Began Abolitionism (especially in North)
Coincided with founding of Great Awakening faiths like the Methodists and Baptists (most common slave denominations)