THE GREAT AWAKENING VS.

THE ENLIGHTENMENT

GREAT AWAKENING1730’s-1740’s

Traveling ministers stirred up religious emotions and fears

Terrified listeners with images of God’s anger but promised salvation to those who did as

they were told

JONATHAN EDWARDS

Best known preacher of Great Awakening

• Famous Sermon: “Sinners in the hands of an angry God”

SIGNIFICANCE

Inspired colonists to return to religious roots and do charitable work

Churches gained 50,000 new members

Founded religious colleges like Brown and Princeton

THE ENLIGHTENMENT

1700’s -1790’s

Emphasized reason and science as paths to knowledge

Began in Europe, then came to America

HISTORY MAKERS

Science – Newton’s laws

Philosophy – John Locke (natural rights: life, liberty and property)

Inventions- Ben Franklin (Lightning rod, bifocals, Franklin Stove)

POOR RICHARD’S ALMANAC

A yearly book written by Ben Franklin

Had weather predictions, clever sayings, stories, poems, etc.

“Haste Makes Waste”

SIGNIFICANCE

Enlightenment ideas of natural rights and government by agreement influenced colonists

Helped spur American Revolution!