Colonial Revivalism and the Revolution
The Origins of the First Great Awakening German Pietism (cf. Spener) and English Methodism (cf. the Wesleys) The New England clergy s growing sense of declension (real or imagined?) The anemic state of the churches in the southern colonies (though improving) Rapid population growth and economic prosperity in the colonies Rationalism, skepticism, and latitudinarianism (cf. the early British Enlightenment)
The Great Awakening: North America Source: www.nationalhumanitiescenter.org Presbyterian revivalist Gilbert Tennet (1703-1764 ) warned people about the dangers of an unconverted ministry Early stirrings of revival A great and general awakening (1740-1742) Conversion: new birth The spread of the awakening, esp. in the colonial South Controversy over revivalism The popular appeal of the Great Awakening
The Grand Itinerant: George Whitefield I am verily persuaded, the generality of preachers talk of an unknown, unfelt Christ. And the Reasons why congregations have been so dead, is because dead men preach to them. Sermon at Harvard College, 1740 Source: www.pbs.org Anglican revivalist George Whitefield (1714-1770) conducted seven preaching tours in England s North American colonies.
An Evangelical Apologist A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God (1737) The Distinguishing Marks of the Spirit of God (1741) Seasonable Thoughts Concerning the Present Revival (1742) A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections (1746) Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was the leading apologist for the Great Awakening in colonial North America Source: www.jonathan-edwards.com
Prelude to Revolution The French and Indian War (1754-1763) Pontiac s War and the Royal Proclamation (1763) Revenue-generating acts of the British Parliament The Boston Massacre (1770) The Boston Tea Party (1773) First military skirmishes Crispus Attucks (1723-1770) has been called the first casualty of the American Revolution Source: www.wikipedia.com
Inter-colonial Cooperation Source: www.wikipedia.com Designed by Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) in 1754, this cartoon became a leading symbol of the coming Revolution by the early 1770s
The Question of Resistance Source: www.wikipedia.com Congregationalist minister Jonathan Mayhew (1720-1766) offered a new interpretation of Romans 13:1-9. Church and state in John Calvin (Institutes 4.20) Church and state in Anglicanism John Locke, Two Treatises of Government (1689) Mayhew s Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission (1750) Revolutionary-era extensions of Locke and Mayhew
Three Christian Options during the Revolution Pacifism < 5% Loyalism 15-20% Patriotism 40-45% German-speaking Pietist sects (e.g. Schwenkfelders) and Quakers: theologically opposed to warfare on principle; represented a very small minority Anglicans and Old Lights: stressed the historic continuity of the Anglican Church, the authority of the monarch and episcopacy, and the economic importance of unity in the British empire New Light evangelicals: affirmed a national covenant (cf. Puritanism); offered a theological justification for Whig political theory
Theological Themes of Patriot Preaching National covenant: colonies as God s chosen people Revolution is bringing in the millennial Kingdom of God Political liberty will bring about religious liberty (esp. among Virginia Baptists) Unrestrained political power always degenerates into sinful corruption (Whig theory) John Witherspoon (1723-1794) was a leading patriot clergyman Source: www.loc.gov
Historians Debate: The Awakening and the Revolution Rather than liberalism, the evangelicalism of the Awakening serves as a foundation for American national identity (Alan Heimert) The Awakening democratized the vehicles of mass communication, setting the stage for popular politics in the Revolution (Harry Stout) The Awakening fostered an ideology of dissent that inspired the Revolution (Patricia Bonomi) The Awakening inspired ordinary colonists to challenge the prerogatives of their social superiors (Gary Nash, Rhys Isaac) All attempts to link the Awakening with the Revolution are bogus (Jon Butler)