HST 121: History of the United States to 1877

Great Awakening

What was the Great Awakening, why did it occur, and what were its results?

I. Inadequacy of the established churches

A. Anglican

B. Congregational

II. Kind of worship or message

A. Emotional, Enthusiastic, dramatic style

--Jonathan Edwards and "Fire and Brimstone" sermons

B. Evangelistic

1. George Whitefield and revivals

2. Spreading the word into the back country

III. Salvation

A. Bom again conversion

B. Baptists

1. Free will instead of predestination

2. Salvation open to all

IV. Organization

A. Presbyterians

1. Unified organization

2. Synod in Philadelphia

B. Back country circuit riders

V. Relation to other churches and to government

A. Antiestablishmentarianism

B. Religious toleration

C. Denominations

1. As parts of a whole

2. Groups cooperating in the Great Awakening:

Presbyterians
Baptists
Methodists
"New Light" Congregationalists

VI. Regional impact

A. New England

I . Where movement began

2. "Old Light" Congregationalists prevailed

B. Most successful:

1. Middle colonies

2. Upper South

C. Failed: Lower South