AP USH CH5: CULTURES OF COLONIAL NORTH AMERICA

Act of Toleration

significant piece of legislation passed in 1689 in England that granted freedom of worship to nonconformists, and allowed them to practice their faith without persecution.

Quakers

or the Religious Society of Friends, emerged in the mid-17th century as a Christian movement emphasizing direct experience of God, pacifism, social justice, and equality. They rejected formal clergy and rituals, valuing inner light and personal faith.

Harvard College

established in 1636, is the undergraduate college in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is known for its rigorous academic programs and distinguished alumni

Calvinism

branch of Protestantism founded by John Calvin in the 16th century, emphasizing the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, and the doctrine of predestination, where salvation is seen as an unchangeable decision made by God for the elect.

Jonathan Edwards

American preacher, theologian, and philosopher known for his fire-and-brimstone sermons and his role in the First Great Awakening. He is famous for his sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" and is considered one of America's most important religious thinkers.

George Whitefield

(1714-1770) was an English Anglican cleric and evangelist who was a key figure in the Great Awakening in America. He is known for his powerful preaching

New Lights

group of Protestant Christians emerging in the 18th century during the Great Awakening who embraced revivalistic approaches to religion, emphasizing personal experience and emotional encounters with God over traditional, established forms of worship.

Old Lights

group of traditionalist Protestant Christians during the 18th century who resisted the revivalist spirit of the Great Awakening. They emphasized rationalism, established doctrines, and traditional forms of worship

Enlightenment

intellectual and philosophical movement in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. It fostered ideas about democracy, human rights, and the separation of church and state

Great Awakening

series of religious revivals in the American colonies during the 18th century, characterized by increased enthusiasm for religion, emotional preaching, and a focus on personal experiences of faith. It encouraged a move away from traditional rituals and promoted a more personal connection to spirituality.