Enlightenment and the Great Awakening in the 1800's
...ances in natural science began to explain the laws of nature and human intellect rose over pre-existing ignorance and prejudice. Great leaders in this movement were Sir Isaac Newton who in 1687 described gravity, and Benjamin Franklin who devoted his life to enlightenment and published Poor Richard’s Almanac, a collection of maxims and proverbs that made him famous. The Enlightenment strengthened ties between the colonialists and British elites. The existence of God became the image of a rational creator who created a perfect universe but did not miraculously intervene in its workings. Natural laws took precedence in these rationalist beliefs and their lives became predictable and orderly. Protestant revivalists began to rise up and began the Great Awakening movement and turned the colonists’ thoughts toward religion. This revivalism unleashed a great anxiety among people and instilled fear in their heart, leading them toward the lord. Ministers began to preach the emptiness of materialism, the corrupt human nature, the fury of the divine wrath, and the need for immediate repentance. George Whitefield became the most well known minister to the people during this movement. His tour inspired thousands to seek salvation. By 1741 every fifth man and woman under the age of 45 had reportedly been saved by God’s grace. A battle arose between these new revivalist (New Lights) and others known as “Old Lights.” This cause an uneasiness in social order and unleashed madness among colonists. The great Awakening peaked in 1742 and went beyond the white society, encompassing African Americans and Native Americans to protestantism for the first time. A movement lik...