The Great Awakening

Late 18th-Early 19th Centuries

Not Just One Event!

•Many different religious rebirths during the time period of the end of the 18th century – the beginning of the 19th century

First Great Awakening

• 1730s until around 1750s

• Solomon Stoddard = grandfather of Jonathan Edwards

Puritan Values

• Sports• Visual Arts• Literature • Music• EDUCATION• Church• Church in every aspect of life! • No sep. of church and state at all!

Literacy

•High levels of literacy for the time period•Religious = Reading the Bible•Encourages literacy

Religious Beliefs

• Every person born full of sin – Adam & Eve• LIMITED ATONEMENT – Can only beg

for forgiveness so many times• CONDITIONAL ELECTION – God saves

only the ones that are selected- Not Predestination- Not Protestant ($$$)

John Winthrop

• 1603 – “City on a Hill” • “You are the light of the world. A city

that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”• Strive to be the ultimate example of

how to live!• Boston/Massachusetts Bay Colony

Effect on Literature

• Heavy religious foundation• Overall themes – to provide

listeners/readers with the fear of God• No TV, radio, etc. God was the scariest

force that Puritans had ever imagined before!• Teach proper behavior!