the great awakening

what was it like before the great awakening

decline in religiousness in the New England Colonies and a rise in skepticism towards traditional religious practices. Many colonists felt disconnected from established churches.

when and where did the great awakening start

1730s through 1740s in Northampton, Massachusetts

who started the great awakening and what did he believe in

jonathan edwards; believed in the full dependence on the grace of god being needed (for salvation and emphasized the importance of personal religious experience.)

what were his idea like

closely reasoned; stark doctrines spread throughout the colonies

who spoke to New England colonists about what

George Whitefield spoke about helplessness and divine omnipresence

what did george whitefield make happen

sinners convertedand religious fervor increased.

when did he start and what was george whitefield known for

1738; public speaking skills for preaching which had an emotional effect

who were New Lights and what did they do

they were revivalists and revitalized American religion through this movement

who were old lights

they were people who rejected the ideas of the great awakening; included orthodox clergymen

which groups were split over the movement

congregationalists and presbyterians

what did the great awakening spark

new missionary work to that sought to convert Native Americans and slavesIt also led to the establishment of new denominations and increased religious diversity in America.

what are some “centers of higher learning,” founded by New Lights

Princeton, Brown, Rutgers, Dartmouth

what were Puritan traditions challenged by

Arminianism; free will of an individual determines whether they get into heaven or not

what was changed in the church with the great awakening

people who were not spiritually converted could get church membership; religious ideas spread

what was this the first of

it was the first movement that spread throughout America

how did people react

people of all different denominations and statuses were brought together through shared faith