Enlightenment Great Awakening
Causes  Religion in new world supported primary
education
 Parents wanted children to be able to hold
an office
 Educated colonists had interest in books
and scientific advancement
o Will to explain laws of nature
triumph over ignorance
Important  Newton explains universe and gravity
Events  American Philosophical Society founded in
1743 by Franklin
Important  Sir Isaac Newton- "discovered" gravity
People  Ben Franklin-started the Junto, Poor
Richard's Almanack, wanted to do research and
benefit the public with it
 John Locke-enouraged embracing of
reasonable or rational religion
o Essay Concerning Human
Understanding
 
Important  Deism started-rational religion for rational
Notes people
o God is rational, so is nature
 Many advances in psychology, government,
medicine, social beliefs
 Available especially to the wealthy who had
 Spread of Protestant revivalism from Europe
 uncertainty among the less educated
 Wanted assurance of salvation
 
 
 1739-marked start of Great Awakening
 Charismatic ministers-captivated audiences with strong speeches on
the excesses of life
 Johnathan Edwards of Mass.-fury of divine wrath
 George Whitefield-overpowering speeches, converted many young
adults
 Tennent and Davenport-denounced ministers for causing social
divisions
o No saving grace
 Charles Chauncy-revival was madness and nonsense
 New Lights-supported the new emotional side, revivalists
 Old Lights-rationalist clergy of Anglican, Presbyterian,
Congregationalist
 Cut across gender, class, race
 Unleash of anxiety about sin, want assurance of salvation
 Stimulated the founding of more colleges (Ivies)
 Added to white women's religious power-could speak and vote in
Church
 Lessened denominational affairs for Protestants
time to take time off work  Political
o Books were still expensive for most o Empowered the ordinary-groundwork for revolutionaries
people later
o Only allowed those who read access  
to information