The First Great Awakening (jan 1, 1730 – jan 1, 1740)

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The Enlightenment movement created the atmosphere in which religious diversity became more acceptable. As a result, New Light clergy started a religious revival that was spearheaded by ministers who questioned the status of religion, and challenged the established religions of their time. For example, George Whitefield encouraged people to move away from established religions in order to increase their intensity and emotional worship. Jonathan Edwards, a Congregational minister held large sermons expanded Enlightenment ideas to include religious fervor. This Great Awakening resulted in increased religious diversity and the growth of Baptist, Presbyterian and Lutheran churches and the weakening of Anglicanism as the established church in the South. This movement also brought African Americans into their churches and increased the influence of women in the church movement. This movement also highlighted the democratic tendencies of the Bible and encouraged people to question authority.

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