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Puritanism dominant early in New England,
but other Protestant churches start to form
The Anglican Church is rooted in the South
Catholics and Jews are few, but distrusted
Some religious leaders are concerned with the
decline in piety and religion
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First mass social movement in American
History (religious revival)
More religious focus, excitement, seriousness,
and fear
challenged pre-destination
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Famous preacher of “Sinners in the Hands of
an Angry God”
Most famous and influential preacher of the
Great Awakening (also very scary)
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Famous open air preacher of the revival- spoke
to crowds as high as 30,000
Preached about the religious power of the
common man
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Split Denominations and created
competitiveness among churches
Brought religion to those who had lost it
New Lights v. Old Lights
Converted many women, gave women more
power
Encouraged missionary work with slaves and
women
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Helped establish the revolutionary mindset
and the willingness to challenge authority
Led to the creation of new light colleges:
Dartmouth, Brown, Rutgers, College of New
Jersey (Princeton), King’s College (Columbia),
Brown
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Movement that focused on Reason and Science
as the means to achieve progress and improve
society
Enlightenment also worked to undermine and
challenge traditional authority
Science and Reason could compete with
religion and faith, but not always
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His enlightenment ideas were very important
in challenging British authority
The right to rebel and the contract theory of
government
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A great American thinker of The
Enlightenment
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More focus on Education
Technological and medical advancements in
America
Contributed to important principles in our
founding documents (Declaration,
Constitution)
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They help to create the attitude necessary for
the Revolution
Challenging Authority
Help the colonists to create their own unique
societies and character