Great Awakening: A religious revival in the 1730s and 1740s. First started in Massachusetts by pastor Jonathan Edwards. He proclaimed that believing in salvation through good works and affirming the need for complete and utter dependence on God’s grace. His most famous sermon was called, “Sinners in the Hands of and Angry God”.
Regulator Movement: A small insurrection against eastern domination of the colony’s affairs. It occurred in North Carolina …show more content…
and was led by the Scots-Irish. It leads to the occurrence of a bigger revolution. For example, Andrew Jackson, one of the Scots-Irish to fight in the Regulator movement, soon joined the fight of the American Revolution.
Old Lights: Orthodox clergymen were deeply skeptical of the emotionalism and the theatrical antics of the revivalists.
The Awakening left many lasting effects including its emphasis on direct, emotive spirituality, which undermined the older clergy. The issue was split over Congregationalists and presbyteries.
New Lights: Ministers who defended the Awakening for its role in revitalizing American Religion. When a fresh wave of missionaries worked with the Indians and black slaves, new light centers were formed. Some examples of the new light centers for higher learning include Princeton, Brown, Rutgers, and Dartmouth.
Molasses Act: In 1733, Parliament passed the Molasses Act. It was put in place in order to stop North American trade with the French West Indies. American merchants responded to the act by bribing and smuggling their way around the law. Therefore, the act started to push the Americans towards revolting rather than obliging.
Naval Stores: Were highly valued because Britain was anxious to gain and retain a mastery of the seas. Colonial Naval stores included tar, pitch, rosin, and turpentine. Those caught cutting down a reserved number of timber was subject to fine. Great Britain needed the tall trees for her navy ships. Therefore, she wanted to stimulate
production.
John Peter Zenger: a newspaper printer. In a legal case in 1734 to 1735, the newspaper he had printed contained information about a corrupt governor. He was charged with seditious libel, and sent to court. A former indentured servant named Andrew Hamilton defended him. The verdict was not guilty, which inspired many Americans.
Jonathan Edwards: the deepest theological mind in America. Ignited the Great Awakening, he proclaimed that believing in salvation through good works and affirmed the need for complete dependence on God’s Grace. He was extremely descriptive and passionate. His most famous sermon was called “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”.
George Whitefield: had a magnificent voice and one of the people who spread the Great Awakening. He used a different style of evangelical preaching on America. He touched off a conflagration of religious ardor that revolutionized the spiritual life of the colonies. He had an amazing gift at giving sermons.