The Great Awakening Background The colonies had become

The Great Awakening

Background • The colonies had become less pious in the early 18 th century • Traditional ideas like predestination were being challenged • Some believed good works could save a person’s soul

Anglican Church • Influence of the Anglican church had spread throughout the 17 th century (particularly wealthy areas or coastal areas) • Anglicans were less extreme in their beliefs and typically were very loyal to the king

Jonathan Edwards • Pastor in North Hampton Massachusetts • Edwards delivered passionate speeches condemning the idea that you could be saved by good works • His preaching ignited the Great Awakening in 1734

The Great Awakening • The Great Awakening was a religious revival throughout the colonies • Church attendance increased, missionary work increased, and overall devotion to faith increased

George Whitefield • Whitefield toured the colonies holding religious revivals • At his services members would often cry out conversion or that their souls had been saved

Impact • The Great Awakening spread to all colonies • It became something that united the 13 separate colonies as one people • Congregationalist Churches grow • Helps contribute to the idea that the American colonists and the English are different

Review • What was the Great Awakening and why was it significant?