1. The Enlightenment

2. When: Late 18th century – Early 19th century
Who: European philosophers/scientists/mathematicians; American scholars
What: Also known as the “Age of Reason”, it represented a time period after the “dark” Middle Ages in which theorists and philosophers began to question centuries of religious, political, & social traditions, and promote new ideas on life
When: Late 18th century – Early 19th century
Where: Europe and its colonies
Why significant: Following the European Renaissance (15th-16th centuries) & the Scientific Revolution (17th century), it contributed a range of ideas centered on reason as the primary source of authority and legitimacy and came to advance ideals like:
Liberty
Progress
Tolerance
Fraternity
Constitutional Government
Separation of Church & State

3. The Zenger Trial

4. Who: John Peter Zenger (printer), Andrew Hamilton (lawyer), William Cosby (Governor of NY)
What: Trial that centered on Zenger’s arrest for libel; he had printed opinions critical of the governor in the NY Weekly Journal
When:
Where: New York
Why significant: A jury found Zenger not guilty of libel, as Zenger’s lawyers established the argument that the printing of a statement, even if defamatory, is not libelous if it can be proved. This would set an early precedent for freedom of the press in America. 

5. The Great Awakening

6. Who: British & colonial ministers (ex
Who: British & colonial ministers (ex. George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards) What: A movement of religious revival prompted by Ministers who felt people were growing less faithful and focusing more on worldly things like wealth.
When: 1740s-1750s
Where: England’s 13 colonies
Why significant:  To contrast “Old Light” ministers who had lost influence with traditional sermons, “New Light” ministers used fear tactics and powerful sermons to scare people back into the church. Religion became more personal/emotional again; church membership rose.