Enlightenment And The Great Awakening - 814 Words

In the 18th century, Enlightenment and the Great Awakening changed the idea of freedom for the colonists. The Great Awakening was a time of religious revival in the colonies. Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in the 18th century which emphasized economic and political freedom. American and British tensions grew in this time period due to Britain wanting America to be under the king’s control. Enlightenment, the Great Awakening, the Founding Fathers, and different social groups changed the ideas of freedom and equality. During the American Revolution, the idea of freedom changed from Enlightenment and the Founding Father’s ideas of economic freedom, to equality in social groups such as slaves, Native Americans, and woman.†¦show more content†¦Men such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams helped shape the new country and fight for the freedom that they deserved. George Washington was the commander of the Continental Army and helped lead the Patriots to the victory they deserved. Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence, and was a strong advocate for the freedom of the colonists and the respect of their natural rights. John Adams was a lawyer and diplomat who helped fight for American independance. Thomas Jefferson had said â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.† This quote stresses the importance of how Britain was not only taking away the American’s freedom, but their natural rights. All three of these Founding Fathers had one goal, freedom for the colonists. Finally, the different social groups had the biggest impact on changing the idea of equality. First of all, the revolution had brought about an Egalitarian society. Wealth no longer determined someone’s self worth. Attributes such as ability, effort, and virtue defined somebody’s self worth. During the revolution, woman stepped up from their role as a housewife, to somebody who got to work in factories or even be a part of the Patriots. They were treated with the same amount of respect as their husbands. Slaves and freemen fought forShow MoreRelatedThe Enlightenment and the Great Awakening.1534 Words   |  7 PagesThe Great Awakening and the Enlightenment were two historical events that shaped the thoughts of people and religion in America. The most important factor in both of these events is the common theme of reason behind the movements. The Great Awakening began about the 1930s and reached its climax ten years later in 1740. What exactly was the Great Awakening? I t was a wave of religion revivals sweeping through New England that increased conversions and church membership. The beginnings of the GreatRead MoreThe Great Awakening And The Enlightenment866 Words   |  4 PagesThe Great Awakening and the Enlightenment both profoundly impacted the American Revolution. Both ideas brought about a better understanding of the role of government in governing its people, the function of religion in the State, and a more general keener awareness of the rights of man. However, overall, the Enlightenment played the most pivotal role in bringing the American Revolution to fruition. The Great Awakening’s goal was to merely enhance the role of religion in people’s lives, and didRead MoreThe Great Awakening And Enlightenment991 Words   |  4 Pages The ages of Great Awakening and Enlightenment were two of the earliest movements in the early colonies. These movements proved that people can be influenced in many different ways in relation to politics and religion. 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Politics were a significant cause because the colonist disliked the rules and regulations of the Charter that the King established. Culture also caused the Revolution due to the rational thinking of the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment gave the colonist the thought of self governing instead of being under the royal leader. Finally, Religion also impacted the American Revolution because Religion contributed the idea that the church should voice their opinion on governmentRead MoreImpact Of The Columbian Exchange On The New World Essay1570 Words   |  7 PagesII the brother in law to England’s Queen Elizabeth. This defeat gave strength to the Protestant cause across Europe. It also confirmed England’s naval supremacy, and it gave way to further colonization in America. Queen Elizabeth was looked at a s a great rules after this defeat of her brother in law. 5. Describe the â€Å"Headright system†. - This system gave male English colonist who bought a share in the Virginia Company and also could pay for their passage to Virginia would be given 50 acres upon arrival