3.2 Great Awakening and The
Enlightenment
Standards
• 7.11.4 Explain how the main ideas of the Enlightenment can be
traced back to such movements as the Renaissance, the
Reformation, and the Scientific revolution and to the Greeks,
Romans, and Christianity.
• 7.11.5 Describe how democratic thought and institutions were
influenced by Enlightenment thinkers (e.g. John Locke, CharlesLouis Montesquieu, American founders.)
• 8.1.1 Describe the relationship between the moral and political
ideas of the Great Awakening and the development of
revolutionary fervor.
• 8.1.4 Describe the nation’s blend of civil Republicanism,
classical liberal principles, and English parliamentary traditions
Essential Questions
1. In what way did the spread of religious
enthusiasm during the Great Awakening
reinforce democratic ideas?
2. How were John Locke’s ideas about
government different from the theory of the
divine rights of monarchs?
3. How might John Locke’s ideas have
contributed to the American Revolution?
Quick Write
• You have 5 minutes to response the
questions.
• You should write at least 60 words.
• “What influences men/women more,
religious or political movements?
Give examples.
The Great Awakening
• Religious revival that swept through
the colonies in 1730’s and 1740’s.
-Puritan traditions declining in New
England.
-Restore the importance of religion in
society.
-Organization of new churches.
Jonathan Edwards
• Massachusetts‘
preacher.
• Terrified listeners
with images of God’s
anger but promised
salvation.
“Sinners in the hands
of an angry GOD!!!”
George Whitefield
• Invited everyone to
come and listen.
-Other Christian
groups
-Women
-African Americans
-Native Americans
Effects
• Colleges built.
• People realized that if they could decide
how to worship God, they could also
decide how to govern themselves.
-Separation of church and state.
• Increased tolerance of religious
differences.
-New churches.
The Enlightenment
• Movement in 1700s emphasizing
reason and observation.
-Influenced by Renaissance,
Reformation, and Scientific Revolution.
-use of reason and science to explain
world
-spread quickly through books and
pamphlets.
John Locke
• Enlightenment thinker.
• Two Treatises of Government, 1690
-Natural rights= Rights humans are born with.
-Life, liberty, and property.
• Social contract= agreement people make to
choose and obey a government that protected
their natural rights.
-If that government didn’t, the people had a right to
resist and overthrown that government.
-Challenged divine rights of kings.
Baron de Montesquieu
• Powers of the government should be clearly
defined and limited.
• Separation of Powers= Government split along
three branches of government.
-Legislative= Makes laws
-Executive= Enforces laws
-Judicial= Makes judgments based on the laws.
Locke
Montesquieu
Effects on Colonies
• Most educated colonial
leaders embrace ideas.
• Benjamin Franklin=
American Enlightenment
leader.
- Successful printer and
inventor.
-Studied literature, math,
science, and philosophy.
Effects of Both Movements
• Interest in learning and colleges
found.
• Questioned authority of both church
and state.
-Stressed individual’s importance.
-atmosphere lead to American
Revolution.
Study Guide
• Grab your textbook and study guide. On the
left hand side copy and complete the
following.
• Study guide pg. 21, use pages 19-20 (in study
guide) and Textbook pg. 44-48.