The Expansion and Control

Full Answer Section

• Emotionalism and Individualism: The Great Awakening emphasized the importance of individual faith and emotional connection with God, challenging the authority of established churches and promoting religious pluralism. It also fostered a sense of individualism and self-reliance, as individuals were encouraged to interpret the Bible for themselves.  
• Social and Political Impact: The Great Awakening had significant social and political consequences.
  It led to the growth of new denominations, like Baptists and Methodists, and increased religious tolerance. It also empowered ordinary people, who began to challenge traditional hierarchies and demand greater participation in religious and political life.  

Intertwined Influences:

• Complementary Forces: While seemingly different, the Enlightenment and the Great Awakening were not mutually exclusive. In fact, they often complemented each other. The Enlightenment's emphasis on individual rights and self-governance provided a framework for the Great Awakening's emphasis on individual faith and religious freedom.  
• Shared Values: Both movements shared certain values, such as the importance of individual conscience and the right to challenge authority. These shared values helped to unite the colonists and fueled their desire for independence.  

Long-Term Impact:

• American Revolution: The Enlightenment and the Great Awakening were both crucial in shaping the intellectual and social climate that led to the American Revolution. They instilled in the colonists a sense of individualism, self-reliance, and a belief in their right to self-governance.  
• Founding Principles: The ideas of the Enlightenment, particularly those related to natural rights and popular sovereignty, were central to the founding principles of the United States. The Great Awakening's emphasis on religious freedom and individual conscience also played a significant role in shaping American identity.  

In conclusion, the Enlightenment and the Great Awakening were two transformative movements that had a profound and lasting impact on colonial society in America. They challenged traditional ideas, empowered individuals, and ultimately laid the groundwork for the American Revolution and the birth of a new nation.

Sample Answer

The Enlightenment and the Great Awakening were two powerful intellectual and social movements that swept through the American colonies in the 18th century. While seemingly contradictory, they both had a profound impact on colonial society, shaping ideas about religion, government, and individual liberty, and ultimately contributing to the American Revolution.  

The Enlightenment:

• Emphasis on Reason: The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was an intellectual movement that emphasized reason, science, and individual rights. Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke challenged traditional ideas about authority and government, arguing that individuals possessed natural rights to life, liberty, and property.  
• Impact on Colonial Thought: These ideas resonated with many colonists, who began to question the authority of the British monarchy and the established church. The Enlightenment encouraged a spirit of inquiry and critical thinking, leading colonists to demand greater autonomy and self-governance.  
• Influence on Leaders: The Enlightenment also profoundly influenced colonial leaders like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, whose writings and ideas shaped the course of the American Revolution. The Declaration of Independence, with its emphasis on natural rights and popular sovereignty, is a testament to the enduring influence of the Enlightenment.  

The Great Awakening:

• Religious Revival: In contrast to the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason, the Great Awakening was a religious revival that swept through the colonies in the 1730s and 1740s. It was characterized by passionate preaching and a focus on personal religious experience.