Great Awakening

Definition

The Great Awakening refers to a series of religious revivals that swept through the American colonies during the 18th century, fundamentally changing the landscape of religion and society. This movement emphasized personal faith, emotional connections to religion, and a direct relationship with God, which challenged traditional authority and fostered new denominations. It played a crucial role in shaping American identity and cultural expressions in literature.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Awakening occurred primarily between the 1730s and 1740s and is marked by an increase in itinerant preaching across the colonies.
2. It fostered the growth of new denominations, such as Methodism and Baptism, which emphasized individual interpretation of the Bible and personal faith.
3. The movement also encouraged an increase in literacy rates as people sought to read the Bible and religious texts for themselves.
4. Socially, the Great Awakening contributed to a sense of shared identity among colonists, laying groundwork for collective movements toward independence.
5. It was significant in promoting ideas of religious freedom and separation of church and state, influencing American political thought.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Awakening challenge established religious authority in colonial America?
  • The Great Awakening challenged established religious authority by promoting individual interpretations of scripture and personal connections with God. This shift led many colonists to question the traditional hierarchical structures of established churches, encouraging a more democratized form of worship. It diminished the influence of clergy as the sole mediators of faith, allowing laypeople to take on more active roles in religious practice.
• Analyze how the Great Awakening influenced American literature during its time.
  • The Great Awakening had a profound impact on American literature by fostering a new style that reflected emotional depth and personal experiences. Authors began to write more passionately about themes like sin, redemption, and personal faith journeys. This period also saw an increase in pamphlets, sermons, and narratives that articulated individual spiritual struggles, shaping a distinctly American voice in literature that diverged from European traditions.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Great Awakening on American society and culture into the 19th century.
  • The long-term effects of the Great Awakening on American society were significant as it set the stage for various social movements, including abolitionism and women's rights. The emphasis on personal morality and communal responsibility led to increased activism within various social reforms. Additionally, it helped cultivate a national identity rooted in ideals of individualism and freedom, which influenced both literary expressions and broader cultural developments in the burgeoning United States.

Related terms

Revivalism: A movement within Protestantism that emphasizes the importance of spiritual revival and the need for personal conversions, often characterized by enthusiastic preaching and emotional worship.

Jonathan Edwards: A prominent preacher during the Great Awakening known for his fire-and-brimstone sermons, particularly 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,' which highlighted themes of sin and redemption.

Methodism: A Christian denomination that arose from the teachings of John Wesley, emphasizing personal piety, social justice, and a systematic approach to faith, which gained popularity during the Great Awakening.